This operation is called a tonsillectomy. This will prevent you from getting tonsillitis in the future. This can be a complication of tonsillitis. For children, your GP may recommend waiting to see if the tonsillitis gets better on its own before considering surgery.
As children get older, they become less likely to have tonsillitis. A tonsillectomy is a very common operation and is usually very successful. But, like all operations, it can cause complications. This is because the tonsils are just the visible part of a wider ring of tissue at the back of your throat.
Viral infections cause most cases of tonsillitis. Viral tonsillitis is usually due to a common cold virus, but it may also be caused by other viruses, including the flu virus. Around one in every three cases of tonsillitis is caused by bacteria. Most bacterial tonsillitis is caused by streptococcus bacteria — specifically group A beta-haemolytic Streptococcus bacteria.
Streptococcal tonsillitis is most common in children aged five to Viral tonsillitis is more common in younger children. Complications are also more common in young children and older people. Some people who get tonsillitis keep getting it again and again. This is called recurrent tonsillitis. It may mean you take a lot of time off work or children take a lot of time off school. Recurrent tonsillitis may be a reason to consider having your tonsils removed. Bacterial tonsillitis can sometimes lead to a build-up of pus on or around your tonsils.
This is called a peritonsillar abscess or quinsy. If you have a peritonsillar abscess, you may have very bad pain in your throat, often worse on one side. You may also have:. Peritonsillar abscess is more common in teenagers and young adults. But children can get it too. The abscess is usually treated with antibiotics and surgery to drain the pus. Find out why children pick up so many viruses and illnesses during childhood, how to manage them and when to seek medical advice.
They also discuss the implications of the pandemic on general immunity and if the vaccination programme will extend to children. You should be able to treat a sore throat at home without needing to see a GP.
Most people with tonsillitis find their symptoms improve within a week. You should also contact your GP if you have:. If your child keeps getting tonsillitis your GP may suggest an operation to remove their tonsils. Tonsillectomy does help most children, but the benefit may only be small. Like all operations, having a tonsillectomy carries some risks.
If your child has only mild sore throats, it may be better to wait and see if the problem clears up on its own. The main symptom of tonsillitis is a sore throat, which is particularly painful when swallowing. The child may complain of earache as well. The tonsils may also have a white covering or spots, which are a sign that the body is fighting off the infection.
Tonsillitis can be diagnosed by looking closely in the mouth, sometimes using a small torch to look at the back of the mouth.
A swab is a large cotton bud that removes some of the coating on the tonsils so it can be examined under a microscope in the laboratory. In many cases, treatment is not needed. Drinking plenty of fluid, eating soft foods and sucking on a throat lozenge can be helpful.
Pain relief medicines, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen can help reduce the pain and also bring down a temperature. Led by local GPs, we are committed to ensuring the public has a strong and clear voice to shape our work and that we are open and transparent in our approach to planning and purchasing the health care you need.
This website was created in by West Hampshire CCG in order to support local people to manage minor illness and injury. JavaScript Disabled Certain features of this site may not function correctly without JavaScript enabled Find out how to enable JavaScript in your browser. Sore throats A sore throat is rarely serious and is often a symptom of an infection, such as the common cold.
Common symptoms associated with sore throats are. Treating a sore throat. Sore throats are very common and usually nothing to worry about. They normally get better by themselves within a week. You can ask a pharmacist about ways of relieving the pain and discomfort of a sore throat, such as:.
You can buy these treatments from a supermarket or from a pharmacist without a prescription. Call your pharmacy or contact them online before going in person. You can get medicines delivered or ask someone to collect them.
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