What it is
It usually gets better within a week. Rest, fluids, painkillers and soft foods help. Antibiotics are only needed if it is likely to be bacterial.
If it keeps coming back and is severe, surgery to remove the tonsils (tonsillectomy) may be considered.
Common signs
- A sore throat
- Pain when swallowing
- Red, swollen tonsils, sometimes with white spots
- A high temperature
- Swollen glands in the neck
- Earache or a hoarse voice
How it is usually diagnosed
- Looking at the throat
- Sometimes a throat swab
Records worth keeping
Keeping these together makes each appointment easier, especially when you see a new doctor:
- GP notes
- Throat swab results
- Prescriptions
- ENT letters if surgery is considered
Questions to ask your doctor
- Does this need antibiotics?
- When can my child go back to school?
- When would removing the tonsils be considered?
When to get help right away
Call 112 or go to the nearest emergency department if you have:
- Difficulty breathing or swallowing saliva, drooling, or severe pain on one side with difficulty opening the mouth: call 112
This page is general information. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace a doctor who knows your history. Medfold keeps your records organised; it does not interpret them.