What should you know about beginning of tonsillitis?

The tonsils at the back of the throat may look red or swollen, sometimes with white patches. Swollen glands in the neck, headache, tiredness, bad breath, or an Earache can occur. Viruses are a common cause, while Strep Throat is one bacterial cause; symptoms alone cannot reliably distinguish them.

Drink regularly, choose soft foods if swallowing hurts, and rest. A pharmacist or clinician can advise on suitable pain or fever relief, taking age, pregnancy, allergies, and other medicines into account. Arrange a GP Consultation when symptoms are severe, keep returning, or make eating and drinking difficult. Antibiotic Treatment is used only when a bacterial cause is suspected or confirmed.

Get urgent help for breathing difficulty, drooling, inability to swallow fluids, a muffled voice, severe one-sided throat pain, or difficulty opening the mouth. Seek prompt advice if dehydration, a persistent high fever, or rapidly worsening illness develops.

Ask whether the tonsils need examination or testing, whether Strep Throat is possible, what symptom relief is safe, and when to return if swallowing becomes harder.