However, tonsillitis can also be caused by other viruses and bacteria. An urgent care center is a great option when it comes to getting treatment for either one of these conditions, since patients get quick access to the treatment they need.
What will urgent care do for tonsillitis?
If your strep test is positive, your urgent care doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotic treatment. You also may have the option of an injectable antibiotic. An antibiotic injection will help you feel better faster and can be more comfortable than swallowing a pill while your throat is inflamed.
When is tonsillitis urgent?
Contact your GP or, if your GP’s closed, phone 111 if: symptoms last longer than four days and don’t show any signs of improvement. symptoms are severe ‚Äì for example, if you’re unable to eat or drink due to the pain, or you have difficulty breathing.
Is it worth going to the doctor for tonsillitis?
In most cases, your sore throat will improve with at-home treatment. However, it’s time to see your doctor if a severe sore throat and a fever over 101 degrees lasts longer than one to two days; you have difficulty sleeping because your throat is blocked by swollen tonsils or adenoids; or a red rash appears.
Does tonsillitis need urgent care Related Questions
How long does tonsillitis take to go without antibiotics?
For tonsillitis caused by a viral infection, antibiotics are not recommended, says Dr. Clark. “The infection would typically resolve itself within five to seven days without any intervention,” he says.
Where do I go if I have tonsillitis?
Contact your doctor if you or your child has symptoms of tonsillitis. Your doctor will ask about symptoms. They will check your ears, nose, and throat for swelling and signs of infection. Your doctor will use a swab to take a sample from the back of your throat.
Do all cases of tonsillitis need antibiotics?
Tonsillitis usually improves on its own after around a week. It’s most often caused by a virus, so antibiotics won’t help. Even if it’s a bacterial infection, it will often settle without antibiotics. You can ease your symptoms with self-help measures and over-the-counter medicines.
Are white spots on tonsils always strep?
Not always. White spots could be due to a viral infection (tonsillitis, mono), a bacterial infection (strep), or a fungal infection (oral thrush) or a noninfectious cause like tonsil stones.
How do you know if tonsillitis is getting worse?
If the sore throat gets worse, especially on one side, call your doctor. This could be a sign of a peritonsillar abscess. This happens when bacteria spread from the tonsil to the space around it and fill it with pus. Other signs of an abscess include fever, headache, earache, drooling, or a muffled voice.
Do white spots on tonsils need antibiotics?
Treatment will depend on the cause of the white spots. If a person tests positive but has no symptoms, they will not need antibiotics. For more severe infections, a doctor may prescribe fluconazole. Antibiotics will not help with a viral infection; it usually gets better without medical treatment.
Does tonsillitis get worse overnight?
Excess mucus in the throat can lead to itching, irritation, and soreness. Postnasal drip typically increases when a person is lying down. As a result, a sore throat may worsen at night or first thing in the morning.
What is the fastest way to cure tonsillitis?
Drinking warm liquids. Soup, broth and tea help soothe irritation associated with swelling and infection. Eating cold foods. Avoiding hard foods. Gargling with warm salt water. Using a humidifier. Avoid straining the voice. Getting rest. Using over-the-counter pain relievers.
How severe is tonsillitis if left untreated?
If tonsillitis is left untreated, a complication can develop called a peritonsillar abscess. This is an area around the tonsils that’s filled with bacteria, and it can cause these symptoms: Severe throat pain. Muffled voice.
How do I know if my tonsillitis is viral or bacterial?
Knowing whether your sore throat is viral or bacterial is usually determined by symptoms. Viral sore throats usually consist of a cough, swelling in the throat, and runny nose whereas bacterial sore throats are typically accompanied with nausea and vomiting, stomach ache, and there is no cough.
What happens if you don’t take antibiotics for tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis Can Cause Peritonsillar Abscess If strep throat or tonsillitis does not go away (either on their own or with tonsillitis treatment), either type of infection can progress into an infection called tonsillar cellulitis.
Can tonsillitis clear up on its own?
Tonsillitis is an infection which causes a sore throat and swelling of your tonsils. It can affect people of all ages but is most common in young children. It usually goes away on its own after a few days.
Why is my tonsillitis not going away?
If your sore throat seems to keep getting worse (or has not improved after about three days), you’re in a lot of pain when you eat or drink, or you have a fever of at least 101 degrees F, you’ll want to see your doctor to get it checked out, Dr. Clark says.
How contagious is tonsillitis?
Tonsillitis is most commonly caused by a virus, although sometimes it can be caused by a bacteria such as Group A Streptococcus. It is contagious, which means it can be spread from person to person. This can happen by direct contact with a person with the infection, or if the person sneezes or coughs near you.
How does bacterial tonsillitis start?
Tonsillitis is most often caused by common viruses, but bacterial infections also can be the cause. The most common bacterium causing tonsillitis is Streptococcus pyogenes (group A streptococcus), the bacterium that causes strep throat. Other strains of strep and other bacteria also may cause tonsillitis.
What medicine kills tonsillitis?
Penicillin, erythromycin and clarithromycin are commonly used to treat bacterial tonsillitis.