2 quick questions about tonsillitis

[onepieceofbrusselssprout]

dh and I both had sore throats on Tuesday night. I am fine now, apart from a slight cough.

He has been really unwell and went to GP yesterday who diagnosed tonsillitis.

He still feels terrible, can hardly speak or eat/drink.

Anyone know how long it will be before he feels better? (he is on day 2 of amoxycillin)

Also how likely is it that I or the dcs might catch it. GP suggested it wasn't really contagious.

tia

It's contagious whilst there's a temp IIRC, you should be fine as long as he's not kissing you/sneezing over you etc. It might take a few days for him to feel better depending on how bad they are.

having had tonsillitis alot when I was younger, I'd say 3 days of ABs should see it start to turn round, but a week to really see the back of it

not sure about how contagious it is though

sounds mean but if he can eat crisps or french bread it will scrape the gunk off the back of his throat.

I haven't had it for a while but it took 4-5 days before I felt vaguely human again and 2 weeks til I felt right. Sorry, probably not what you wanted to hear

Surprised he's on ABs though as its usually viral (thats my understanding anyway).

I always found salt water gargles really helped along with warm honey and lemon drink, sipped almost constantly. I think you can also get throat sprays with a mild anaesthetic in to give some relief (like bedtime) from the pharmacist.

Hope he feels better soon

Thanks for all of the swift replies.

I am not kissing him at the moment!

I will suggest the crisps in a day or 2, not the french bread as he is a coeliac (i.e. needs gluten free diet) so bread will just add to his woes.

I do feel sorry for him as I was slightly less than sympathetic initially. (am being model dw now of course). He is sipping smoothies through a straw.

He had a paracetamol earlier but it kind of crumbled in his mouth and was horrid which made him worse.

Sleep is the best thing

4-5 days usually when I used to have it. It is contagious but not very and is quite hard to catch. Gargle with TCP or soluble disprin helps.

Tonsillitis is horrible, far worse than the"just a sore throat" that some people imagine it is.

Tell him to stay away from dairy - it increases the production of saliva (apparently) which then makes it even harder to swallow!

Tomato soup's supposed to be good (if you can bear the thought of it!) because of the salt.

And lots of painkillers - if you or he can't swallow tablets take calpol!