Going home after your visit
Tonsillitis & sore throat
Why it happens, how to ease it at home, and the warning signs to watch for.
You have tonsillitis — inflamed tonsils, usually caused by a virus and sometimes by bacteria. It is painful, but most people get better within about a week. Antibiotics are only needed in some cases.
Your care details
To be completed by the team before you leave.
this Emergency Department your nearest A&E other:
none needed
Come back — or call 999 for any breathing problems
These can be signs of a more serious infection that needs urgent care.
- Difficulty breathing, or noisy breathing
- Difficulty swallowing your own saliva, or drooling
- Not able to open your mouth fully
- A muffled, "hot potato" voice
- Severe pain on one side, with swelling pushing the throat across
- Unable to drink, or signs of dehydration
- A high fever and feeling very unwell
CALL 999 Severe one-sided pain with swelling can be a quinsy — an abscess that needs draining.
Caring for yourself
- Take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain and fever, if you can take them.
- Drink plenty of cool fluids to stay hydrated, and rest.
- Eat soft, cool foods that are easy to swallow.
- For older children and adults, salt-water gargles, lozenges or a throat spray can soothe.
- Finish the full course of any antibiotics you were given.
What to expect
These are all usual with tonsillitis and not a cause for alarm:
A sore throatPain on swallowingA feverSwollen neck glandsWhite spots on the tonsilsBad breath
Symptoms usually ease over 3 to 7 days. See your GP if you are getting worse or not improving.
Where to get help
999
Life-threatening emergency, or a red-flag symptom above
111
Urgent but not life-threatening, or you're not sure — call or visit 111.nhs.uk, 24/7
Your team
Use the department phone in Your care details above