What should you know about purulent tonsillitis?

Pus-like material on the tonsils can occur with bacterial or viral throat infections. Tonsillitis often causes a sore throat, painful swallowing, fever, swollen glands in the neck, or an earache caused by shared nerve pathways. The coating itself cannot confirm strep throat, because several illnesses can produce similar-looking tonsils.

A clinician may look at your throat and ask about cough, fever, exposure to illness, ability to drink, and how quickly symptoms began. Testing may be useful in some situations, particularly when strep throat is being considered.

Drink frequent fluids and choose cool or soft foods if swallowing hurts. Rest, avoid smoking and smoky rooms, and use simple throat-soothing measures that are suitable for you. Wash your hands and avoid sharing cups or utensils while unwell. Follow label directions for any pain or fever medicine, checking first if you have a medical condition, take other medicines, or are treating a child.

Book a GP consultation if symptoms are severe, persistent, recurrent, or making it difficult to eat and drink. Antibiotic treatment is used only when a bacterial infection is suspected or confirmed and prescribed for you; it will not help a viral illness.

Seek urgent care if you cannot swallow saliva, have trouble breathing, develop a muffled voice, cannot open your mouth normally, or notice rapidly increasing swelling on one side of the throat. Get prompt help for dehydration, unusual drowsiness, or a worsening illness with severe pain. These signs can indicate a complication around the tonsil or another condition needing immediate treatment.

Ask whether your symptoms fit tonsillitis or strep throat, whether testing is appropriate, how to manage pain and fluids, and when you can safely return to work, school, or close contact.