Antibiotics for acute tonsillitis

A clinician decides whether they are appropriate using the pattern of symptoms, an examination and, when useful, a throat swab or rapid test. Starting leftover antibiotics or medicine prescribed for someone else can delay the right care and cause unwanted effects.

Acute tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils. Both viruses and bacteria can cause it, and the appearances can overlap. Bacterial tonsillitis may improve with a suitable antibiotic, while viral illness is managed with fluids, rest and symptom relief.

A sore throat, painful swallowing, fever and tender neck glands can occur with tonsillitis. Cough, a runny nose or hoarseness may point toward a viral respiratory infection, but no single symptom confirms the cause.

Take the medicine exactly as written on the prescription and complete the advised course unless the prescriber tells you to stop. Check what to do after a missed dose, and mention previous antibiotic reactions, pregnancy, kidney problems and other medicines before treatment begins.

Drink regularly and choose cool or soft foods if swallowing hurts. Seek advice if vomiting prevents doses from staying down, diarrhoea becomes severe, a rash develops, or symptoms are not starting to settle as expected.

Get urgent medical help for trouble breathing, drooling or an inability to swallow liquids, a muffled voice, severe one-sided throat swelling, difficulty opening the mouth, marked neck swelling, confusion or unusual drowsiness. These features can signal airway narrowing, dehydration or a deeper infection.

After taking an antibiotic, call emergency services for swelling of the lips or tongue, breathing difficulty, wheezing, faintness or a rapidly spreading raised rash. Stop and seek prompt clinical advice if a new reaction appears.

You could ask what findings suggest a bacterial cause, whether testing would change treatment, how and when to take each dose, which side effects need attention, and when you should return if swallowing or fever does not improve.