Tonsillitis

Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils, a set of lymphoid organs located at the back of the mouth/throat area.
It is a common illness that affects children, teenager and adults.
 

What are the symptoms?

The tonsils at the back of your throat will appear red and swollen.
Tonsilliis can feel like a bad cold or flu.

The main symptoms in both children and adults are:

 - A sore throat
 - High temperature, of 38C or above
 - Coughing (A COVID-19 test should be taken to rule this out)
 - A headache
 - Feeling sick
 - Feeling tired
 - Earache
 - Problems swallowing

More sever symtoms can include:

 - Swollen, painful glands (Feels like a lump on the side of our neck)
 - White pus-filled spots on your tonsils (See opposite)
 - Bad breath
 

How long will it last?

The symptoms of tonsillitis will usually go away after 3 or 4 days.

It is not contagious, but most infections that cause it can be - E.g. colds and flu.

To stop these infections spreading:

 - Stay off work or keep your child at home until you or your child feel better
 - Use tissues to catch coughs and sneezes and throw them away after use.
 - Wash your hands after coughing or sneazing
 

How to treat tonsillitis yourself

Tonsillitis will usually get better on its own after a few days.

To help to treat the symptoms:

 - Get plenty of rest
 - Drink cool drinks to soothe the throat
 - Take paracetamol or ibuprofen (Do not give aspirin to children under 16 years old)
 - Gargle with warm salty water (Children should not try this)
 

A Pharmacist can help with tonsillitis

If you are suffering with, or feel you may have, tonsillitis, you should speak with a pharmacist.
They can give advice and suggest treatments, like:

 - Lozenges
 - Throat sprays
 - Antiseptic solutions

If you have had the symptoms for over 4 days, you should contact your GP
 

Tonsils can appear large/swollen and white pus-filled in severe cases