Here’s what you need to know about tonsillitis, plus our top tips for helping ease the pain
Tonsillitis is a common throat infection that can cause discomfort. Here, we take you through what you need to know about tonsillitis and ways to help manage your symptoms to help you feel a little more comfortable.
What is tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, which are two small, soft glands that sit at the back of the throat. It’s usually caused by a viral infection and symptoms can make day-to-day tasks like talking and eating uncomfortable or even painful. Tonsillitis is most common in children and teenagers, although adults can get it too.
The tonsils help fight germs and act as a barrier against infection. When the tonsils become infected, they isolate the infection to stop it spreading to the rest of the body.
Sometimes the tonsils may become swollen and inflamed. This is often due to either a viral infection, such as the common cold or the flu virus or more rarely, a bacterial infection, typically a strain of bacteria called group A streptococcus bacteria which causes strep throat.
Both the viral and bacterial infections that can cause tonsillitis spread easily, so it’s important to avoid public places until symptoms have cleared up to avoid passing the infection to others.
Signs & symptoms of tonsillitis
Initially, tonsillitis can feel like a bad cold or the flu and can cause symptoms in children and adults such as:
• Red and swollen tonsils
• A sore throat
• Problems swallowing
• A high temperature (fever) of 38°C or above
• Coughing
• A headache
• Feeling sick
• Earache
• Feeling tired
Some people may experience more severe symptoms including:
• Swollen, painful glands in your neck (feels like a lump on the side of your neck)
• Pus-filled spots or white patches on your tonsils
• Bad breath
If you’re concerned about your symptoms, visit your GP.
Is tonsillitis contagious?
Tonsillitis itself is not contagious, however, most of the infections that cause it are.
This means that the virus or bacteria that cause tonsillitis can be spread through coughing, sneezing and by coming into close contact with someone who has tonsillitis.
The best way to prevent the infection from spreading from person to person is to:
• Stay away from public places, such as work, school or nursery until you feel better and your symptoms have subsided
• Cough or sneeze into a tissue and dispose of the tissue straight away
• Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds before eating, after going to the toilet and after coughing and sneezing
How long does tonsillitis last?
Generally, tonsillitis symptoms last between three and four days. While there are no treatments that speed up recovery time, there are a few things you can do to help alleviate symptoms which we’ve covered below.
Can you treat tonsillitis yourself?
Although there’s no specific treatment for tonsillitis, you may want to consider the self-help tips below.
• Drinking cool drinks to soothe the throat
• Getting plenty of rest
• Gargling with warm, salty water (not suitable for children)
• Taking paracetamol or ibuprofen to relieve pain, if it’s suitable for you
How can a pharmacist help?
If you find that the above treatments aren’t helping with symptoms, you can pop into your local Boots and speak to a member of the pharmacy team for advice. Sore throat treatments are available over-the-counter, such as lozenges, throat sprays or antiseptic solutions, such as TCP Liquid Antiseptic, (contains halogenated phenols and phenol. Always read the label), if suitable for you.
When to see a GP
If you or your child have a severe case of tonsillitis that doesn't clear up on its own, symptoms last longer than four days, or you keep getting throat infections, visit your GP. During your appointment, they’ll ask about your symptoms and examine the back of your throat. This is usually enough for them to diagnose tonsillitis, however, they may swab your throat to test for bacteria and will usually wait for the test results before considering treatment. If the infection is confirmed to be bacterial, they may prescribe a course of antibiotics. If the infection is viral, it will usually clear up on its own.
Your GP may carry out a blood test to check for glandular fever if your symptoms are severe or don’t show any signs of improvement.
In rare cases, some people may have surgery to remove their tonsils. This is usually if you have severe tonsillitis that keeps coming back.
It’s important to get advice from 111 or call 999 urgently if:
• You're unable to eat or drink due to the pain
• You have pus-filled spots on your tonsils
• You have difficulty breathing
