COVID and tonsillitis: what to know

Tonsillitis means inflammation of the tonsils. It may cause a sore throat, fever, swollen glands, painful swallowing, white patches or an earache. COVID-19 can produce some of these symptoms, so the appearance of the throat cannot determine the cause by itself.

Strep throat is one bacterial possibility, while many cases are viral. A clinician may consider your symptoms, examine your throat and decide whether testing is useful.

Rest, drink fluids, choose foods that are easy to swallow and use suitable pain relief according to the label or a clinician's advice. Reduce close contact while a contagious infection is possible. Do not use leftover antibiotics; they are only helpful for selected bacterial infections.

Arrange a GP consultation if symptoms are severe, keep returning, make drinking difficult or do not begin to improve. Seek urgent help for drooling, inability to swallow, muffled speech, one-sided throat swelling, breathing difficulty, severe dehydration or rapidly worsening pain.

Ask whether you need a COVID-19 test or a throat assessment, what findings would support strep throat, and whether antibiotic treatment is appropriate for your situation.