Tonsillitis
Overview
Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils at the sides of your throat. It's a common childhood illness, but teenagers and adults can get it too.
Symptoms
Tonsillitis can feel like a bad cold or flu. The tonsils at the sides of your throat will be red and swollen. Symptoms in children and adults can include: a sore throatproblems swallowinga high temperaturecoughinga headachefeeling and being sickearachefeeling tired Sometimes the symptoms can be more severe and include: swollen, painful glands in your neck (feels like a lump on the side of your neck)pus-filled spots or white patches on your tonsilsbad breath
Causes
Tonsillitis is usually caused by a virus, such as a cold, but it can also be due to a bacterial infection such as strep throat.
Treatment
Tonsillitis usually gets better on its own after a few days but it can last longer. To help treat the symptoms: get plenty of restdrink cool drinks to soothe the throattakeparacetamoloribuprofen(do not give aspirin to children under 16)gargle with warm salty water (children should not do this) Treatment for tonsillitis will depend on what's causing it: most children and adults get viral tonsillitis (caused by a virus), which clears up on its ownfor bacterial tonsillitis (caused by bacteria), a GP may prescribe antibiotics A GP will usually wait for the test results to tell which type you have. It's very rare that someone needs to have their tonsils taken out. This is usually only done if you have severe tonsillitis that keeps coming back.
Prevention
Wash hands; Avoid sharing cups/cutlery.
When to see a doctor
See GP if: severe; difficulty breathing/swallowing saliva; >4 days.