What should you know about pustular tonsillitis?

Pustules or pale patches on the tonsils are a visible sign of inflammation. Tonsillitis may occur with a viral illness or a bacterial infection such as strep throat. People may also have sore throat, fever, painful swallowing, swollen neck glands, or referred earache. The pattern and severity of symptoms are more useful than the colour of the spots by itself.

A healthcare professional can inspect the throat, assess hydration and breathing, and decide whether a throat test is needed. Mention recent antibiotics, allergies, repeated episodes, and whether symptoms are affecting drinking.

Take small, regular drinks and choose foods that are easy to swallow. Rest your voice, avoid smoke, and wash your hands regularly. Do not scrape the spots from the tonsils, because this can irritate the tissue and cause bleeding. Use only pain or fever medicines suitable for your age and health, following the package instructions or professional advice.

Arrange a GP consultation when throat pain is strong, symptoms are not improving, episodes keep returning, or drinking is becoming difficult. Antibiotic treatment may be prescribed for a suspected or confirmed bacterial infection; do not use leftover medicine or share a prescription.

Get urgent medical help for difficulty breathing, drooling because swallowing is impossible, a changed or muffled voice, severe one-sided swelling, or inability to open the mouth. Seek prompt advice if you are becoming dehydrated, unusually weak, or rapidly worse. Such symptoms need an examination rather than home treatment alone.

Ask whether a throat test is needed, what pain relief is appropriate, how to recognise dehydration, whether you should stay away from close contacts, and what to do if the spots return.