Has anyone had white spots on throat and not had antibiotics?

[Cloud44]

Struggling with tonsilitis again this year. It’s starting to get me down. I’ve noticed again there are white spots. I’m feeling pretty rubbish. Has anyone managed to get rid of it without antibiotics? Any advice welcome, I’m loosing patience with it!

@SoftPillowAllNight did you have white spots?

It’s much better to avoid antibiotics if you can - get the strongest painkillers you can, gargle salt water or Corsodyl mouthwash. Antibiotics are rubbish for your gut bacteria, and better for your body to fight infection itself, you’ll be less likely to get it again. Worked for me, never had tonsillitis since and used to get frequently

Did you get rid of it without antibiotics even when you had white spots @Peonies12 ? How long did it take to clear?

@Cloud44 - yes I did, and I'm familiar with the nasty strep kind which comes with fever and responds to nothing short of antibiotics. Which is why I could tell that this one was the viral 'type'.

Lots of times - am prone to tonsillitis and used to get it all the time. Thankfully lockdown stopped it and now I rarely suffer so I put it down to office germs (an wfh mostly now!).

Antibiotics often only cut recovery time down by half a day or so. I tend to do well without using difflam spray (numbs throat lovely!) paracetamol and gargling aspirin!

I always used to be told that when there was white spots it was bacterial so needed antibiotics , that’s what’s confused me because I don’t think that’s the case anymore?

It feels so horrible in the morning, I may have to start taking the antibiotics ☹️

Yeah countless times. It has always passed.

@PunchyLunchy with white spots? How long does it normally take? How do you deal with it? I know I sound like a wimp but it’s horrible.

This comment wasn't directed at me...

But, yes, even with white spots. I was told by GP you can get white spots with viral as well as bacterial.

Thank you @TerroristToddler . How long did it take for you to feel better without taking antibiotics?

I had really bad tonsillitis once and would have got antibiotics if had not been a weekend tbh.

Swollen pus laden tonsils and temp 39.3 but Saturday night so I wasn't going to A&E unless I felt like I was dying (not responsible and don't advocate this! Had checked my blood pressure and heart rate though and no other sepsis markers). Then next day, Sunday, temp was 38.7 but going down so figured could wait until GP on Monday rather than go walk in/try 111. On Monday I felt I was heading in right direction and temp only 37.8 so left it, so think mild improvement after couple of days but was 4 days to significant improvement. I'm a HCP and definitely would have prescribed antibiotics if I was my own patient 🙈

If you're no better but no temp that's reassuring, as long as no features quinsy or sepsis. Trouble is it's a Friday so don't know which way you'll go over the weekend so if you feel any worse then defo get checked out.

Thank you @Ihatewinding . The doctor did prescribe me 5 days in case I got worse, but said to try and hold off until swab test was back, it’s not back yet. So I guess I can start anytime over the weekend if I suddenly get worse. I just don’t want to delay getting better by not starting them but I want to give my body a chance to fight it.

@Cloud44 it's a tough one and being ill isn't fun to ride out, especially if there's a glimmer of hope that taking something might speed things up. Have you picked up the prescription? I would do so just in case been sent electronically to a chemist that's not open over weekend, etc. Then if things do start going in wrong direction you can start them straight away.

Keep an eye on your tonsils as well, I remember there was a point where the amount of pus and spots peaked and then slowly started to reduce. If feeling rough and getting more and more spots and pus and tonsils getting more swollen, then would start taking them. Good excuse for unlimited ice-cream in meantime though 😅

Thank you for your help @Ihatewinding 😀. Yes I’ve collected the prescription. Will keep an eye on my tonsils and see how I go. I guess if I stay the same/don’t get worse and no more spots appear then try and ride it out? I hate that my throat is my weak spot!