How long to antibiotics take to work for strep throat/tonsilitis?

[cluelessgirly]

I have white patches on my tonsils and in my throat and a coated tongue, mega sore throat, headache and temperature the last 4/5 days so I’ve been prescribed antibiotics from a pharmacist.

I’ve taken 3 doses so far (it’s 2 a day) and I’ve noticed this morning the white patches in my throat have increased.
surely with antibiotics they shouldn’t increase? I understand it can take a couple of days to see an improvement but surely not a decline? Slightly worried I’m not responding to the them.

any advice on when I should see an improvement?

Usually 24-48hrs before you notice any difference so if there is no improvement by tomorrow I'd try to get a GP appointment, may need a stronger or different antibiotic.

Thank you! I really hope I notice an improvement asap.. I’m on clarithrmycin which I believe is pretty strong? I’m allergic to penicillin which doesn’t help :(

however I’ve already had 2 lots of antibiotics the start of this year for walking pneumonia!! I’m only 29 but been so poorly recently..

White patches typically mean tonsillitis but can also be indicative of other things. Have you had glandular fever? That causes horrific sore throat with white patches on the tonsils which don't respond to antibiotics. Either way, have you tried gargling with salt water? Or one of the antibacterial mouthwashes....there is one that numbs everywhere, can't think what it's called but a pharmacist should be able to help

Clarithrmycin is quite a strong one but sometimes these things just don't work. I once had strep throat and after 4 days of penicillin not working switched to clarithrmycin and after 2 days of that not working I ended up in hospital as my throat was closing over and I could no longer swallow the medication or pain relief or my own saliva for that matter. I need IV steroids and IV antibiotics, pain killers and fluids. I've had tonsillitis a good few times and this was a one off time the antibiotics didn't work, all the other times they have.

I will absolutely try salt water and I do have some corsadyl mouthwash which I think is the one you mean. It’s the one they recommend for infections so will do that also but feel like that could hurt 😣
Ive never had glandular fever before no, good point though.. really hope I improve soon :(
thank you for your help!

Thank you for the heads up - sorry to hear you had such a scary experience :(
Ive had Quincy before as a complication of tonsillitis so completely can empathise with you on how much pain you must have been in.
if there’s no improvement by tomorrow I will certainly get in touch with my GP. I’m so so fed up of being ill

Go and get some difflam rinse today to gargle.

I would think by day 3 you should feel some relief. Didn't know pharmacy could prescribe for this, really useful to know.

Hope you feel better soon 💐

Thank you for the advice and kind words!
They can prescribe antibiotics for a limited number of conditions like ear ache, sinisitis, sore throats, etc if believed to be bacterial! So good to know rather than a long wait at a walk in centre or trip to the hospital over the weekend. I didn’t want to risk waiting until Monday to try get a doctors appointment! I believe it’s only for 5 years+ if that helps xx

If they don’t start working in 48 hrs go back to the GP. It could be something else or just not working

Hey, I hope you’re feeling better. I’ve had tonsillitis countless times in my childhood. I had my tonsils removed but even now I still get tonsillitis on my non existent tonsils. Antibiotics do work, just wait for it to kick in. I hope it has by now. It will knock you for six so take rest. I would advise difflam and soothers for the pain. It will get better!

Definitely thank you. I took Friday off work and was really hoping I’d be able to go back tomorrow (to much to do, don’t want any repercussions of being off) but my job involves a lot of talking and my god it hurts to talk :(
hopefully the antibiotics will kick in soon!

Thank you for your kind words! I’ve had tonsillitis once many many years ago and I remember it floored me.
but now I have a 3 year old to look after so I guess it’s going to take me longer to recover! Even talking is hurting my throat, it’s so stingy, scratchy and sore to talk if that makes sense.. uh I can’t wait to feel better :(

Gargle with crushed paracetamol and if you can get to a pharmacy tomorrow Difflam spray is great

I would definitely take tomorrow off work if you can.