How do they know its viral?!


Question: i got a wicked sore throat and it kills to swallow, i am hot and cold and acheing all over so i phoned the out of hours doctor (UK) and he says what i got is viral and take painkillers!
but ive looked in the mirror and my tonsils are inflamed so i looked it up and looks like i got tonsilitis! this can be caused by viral (no need for antibiotics) or bacteria (antibiotics needed). im not sure what to do now! should i phone back and tell doctor my tonsil is inflamed aswell? or just keep taking painkillers?


Answers: i got a wicked sore throat and it kills to swallow, i am hot and cold and acheing all over so i phoned the out of hours doctor (UK) and he says what i got is viral and take painkillers!
but ive looked in the mirror and my tonsils are inflamed so i looked it up and looks like i got tonsilitis! this can be caused by viral (no need for antibiotics) or bacteria (antibiotics needed). im not sure what to do now! should i phone back and tell doctor my tonsil is inflamed aswell? or just keep taking painkillers?

You should let the doc know about it-he can't use information he doesn't have-but it won't kill you before morning.
The rule of thumb in health care pertaining to respiratory infections is "it will last about 2 weeks if you don't see a doctor, and about 14 days if you do". Generally speaking, they go away on their own. They may want to swab your throat for strep, though-so, by all means, call.

Tonsillitis is an inflammation of the tonsils, the fleshy clusters of tissue on both sides of the back of the throat that fight off germs that enter the body through the mouth. The tonsils become enlarged and red, and can be coated with a yellow, gray, or white substance. Typically, the symptoms are a sore throat, fever, swollen glands in the neck, and trouble swallowing.


How doctors treat tonsillitis depends on whether it was caused by a VIRUS or by group A streptococci BACTERIA.. Doctors often can tell the difference just by looking at the tonsils, and CAN detect strep bacteria with a rapid strep test or a throat culture


If your tonsillitis is caused by a virus, the body will fight off the infection on its own. If it's caused by strep BACTERIA, the doctor probably will prescribe an antibiotic. If so, make sure you complete the full course of treatment to prevent the development of any complications.

If you get frequent bouts of tonsillitis (more than 5 to 7 times during a 12-month period) or repeat infections over several years, the doctor may consider a tonsillectomy to remove the tonsils.


I had my tonsils removed when I was 26, and it was no picnic. .

Call in to the doctor`s get it checked, he cannot diagnose every thing over the phone, get well soon





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