Your tonsils are located on either side of the back of the throat. Tonsillitis can be caused by both bacteria and virus; bacterial tonsillitis is like strep throat in that they are both caused by the bacteria group A Streptococcus, but they are not the same infection. Strep throat is an inflammation of the throat whereas bacterial tonsilitis is an inflammation of the tonsils. Viral tonsillitis is caused by those viruses responsible for the common cold and flu.
Symptoms
Symptoms include:
- Sore throat
- Swollen tonsils and difficulty swallowing
- Fever
- Headache and/or earache
- Nausea and/or vomiting
- Fatigue
Is Tonsillitis contagious?
The virus and bacteria are highly contagious, so it is therefore important to avoid close contact with infected individuals. This includes sharing eating and drinking utensils and kissing as well as ensuring any tissues used for coughing and sneezing are promptly discarded.
How long does Tonsillitis last?
The symptoms of tonsilitis will usually go away after 3 or 4 days but can sometimes linger for longer. If it exceeds 4 days, it is important to seek medical help to ensure it is not something more serious.
When does tonsillitis become an emergency?
If you have a fever over 38C, a sore throat for over 4 days or difficulty breathing, it is important to seek emergency assistance.
Treatment
Tonsillitis gets better after a few days with plenty of rest and fluids to ease throat pain. Paracetamol and ibuprofen to ease any discomfort or seek help from our online pharmacist who can advise on how best to treat your symptoms. Lozenges, throat sprays and antiseptic solutions are available at PPRX shop with options for next day delivery and Deliveroo.
More information can be found on the NHS website.
PPRX pharmacist support online
At PPRX we believe our members should be provided with the knowledge and understanding of their health journey. With the support of our UK registered pharmacists, you can speak to our team with any questions or concerns you may have.
