Tonsillitis

What is tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is when your tonsils get infected. Your tonsils are two small lumps at the sides of your throat. They help fight germs, but sometimes they get infected themselves.

This illness is very common in children, but teenagers and adults can get it too.

What does tonsillitis feel like?

Tonsillitis can make you feel like you have a bad cold or flu. Your tonsils will look red and swollen.

Common symptoms include:

• Sore throat
• Finding it hard to swallow
• High temperature (fever)
• Cough
• Headache
• Feeling sick or being sick
• Earache
• Feeling very tired

More serious symptoms can include:

• Swollen, painful lumps in your neck
• White patches or spots with pus on your tonsils
• Bad breath

How long does tonsillitis last?

Most people feel better after 3 to 4 days, but it can sometimes last longer.

Tonsillitis itself doesn't spread from person to person. But the germs that cause it (like cold and flu viruses) do spread. To stop spreading these germs:

• Stay at home if you have a high temperature or feel too unwell for normal activities
• Use tissues when you cough or sneeze, then throw them away
• Wash your hands after coughing or sneezing

How to help yourself feel better

Tonsillitis usually gets better on its own, but you can do things to feel more comfortable:

• Rest - your body needs energy to fight the infection
• Drink cool drinks - these soothe your throat
• Take paracetamol or ibuprofen - these help with pain and fever (never give aspirin to children under 16)
• Gargle with warm salt water - mix half a teaspoon of salt in a glass of warm water, gargle, then spit it out (children should not do this)

Getting help from a pharmacist

Your local pharmacist can suggest treatments like:

• Throat lozenges that numb the pain
• Throat sprays
• Antiseptic solutions to gargle with

When to speak to your GP

See your GP if:

• Your symptoms don't get better within 1 week
• You keep getting throat infections

When to get urgent help

Contact NHS 111 if:

• You have white spots with pus on your tonsils
• Your sore throat is so painful you can't eat or drink

Call 111 or use the NHS 111 online service.

Emergency warning signs

Call 999 or go to A&E immediately if you have:

• A severe sore throat that gets worse quickly
• Swelling inside your mouth and throat
• Difficulty speaking
• Cannot swallow
• Difficulty breathing
• Cannot open your mouth properly

These could be signs of a serious complication called quinsy (an abscess near your tonsils).

What causes tonsillitis?

Tonsillitis is usually caused by viruses (like cold viruses) or sometimes bacteria. Your GP might do a swab test or blood test to find out which type you have. If it's caused by bacteria, you might need antibiotics.

Surgery to remove tonsils is very rare and only happens if you get severe tonsillitis that keeps coming back.

Remember, if you're worried about your symptoms, speak to your GP for advice.

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Based on NHS.uk guidance. Written by Dr Krishnan Pasupathi, NHS GP.