tonsillitis

[Jules001]

my son developed a severe sore throat, swollen glands which meant he was unable to speak clearly and general malaise on Friday. We completed the NHS symptom checker, but was unable to answer whether or not he had white spots or pus on his tonsils, he really couldn't open his mouth wide enough for us to see so we self medicated over the weekend, but as there was no improvement saw the GP on monday. The GP said he had swollen glands all over the place, he did have pus on his tonsils and said that he had a severe throat infection and prescribed pencillin 2 x 250mg 4 times daily. As my son is still unable to swallow his saliva properly, he has been spitting it out and this has now changed in colour from white to yellow, there is no improvement in his symptoms, but they haven't worsened which the GP did say could happen in which case we were to go to A & E as he may have developed a quinsy. Should we be seeing some improvement by now, should I be worried and should I take him back to GP, he is 22 y.o generally in good health although he is epileptic, lives on his own, has a poor diet IMO, late nights and too much alcohol

[ladyalex]

I think you should try to speak to the GP on the phone tomorrow if there is no improvement.
Try to get as much fluid into your son as you can.
You could also try to get him to gargle or even just swill round and swallow some soluble aspirin as it can have a local anaesthetic effect. (If he's OK with aspirin.)
Or a swill around/gargle and spit out with slightly salted water can be soothing too.
Keep an eye on him generally. Remember you can phone the NHS helpline any time for further advice.

[Buenchico]

This description of the symptoms of quinsy (from the NHS website) sounds similar to what you've posted:
http://www.nhs.uk/Con...y/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

If in doubt get it checked out. NHS Direct might be due for closure but it's still there at the moment. Phone [phone] (24 hours per day).

Chris

[crisgal]

just wanted to send him a big hug.
I have had a quinsy and its very scary. you really feel like your throat is closing up and very very painful. It aso made me throw up - which was excrutiating!
It's ridiculous really, as they gave me the biggest tablets i've ever seen!

My gp said that if it got to the stage where i couldn't swallow my own saliva, to go to a and e, so maybe that's a possibility? I think the advice on swilling his mouth is a good one though.
i also had tons of my favourite ice lollies and sucked them gently. It soothed it a bit.

I really hope he's feeling better tomorrow ♥♥♥

[Sqad]

Quinsy is one tonsil only, if both tonsils are involved it´s not a quinsy.

The other consideration is Glandular Fever.

No you shouldn´t be worried.

Yes you should have seen some improvement by now.

Yes contact your GP today as he may well need Penicillin by injection and blood tests to exclude Glandular fever.

In the meantime do as ladyalex has suggested.

[Jules001]

thank you all for your good advice, I contacted NHS Direct and was advised to speak to our GP again which I did and he advised that we go to A & E to be seen by an ENT specialist. We did this and my son has now been admitted to hospital as although on Monday both his tonsils were equally inflamed, one is now more so and he has developed a quinsy. He is now being pumped full of antibiotics and fluids as there was a danger of him getting dehydrated by having a high temperature and not being able to eat or drink sufficiently. We went to visit him this evening and he has been sleeping this afternoon, but already he is more able to speak clearly and managed half a yogurt and a full glass of water which he was able to drink down in one for the first time in about 5 days, so some improvement already. Once again thank you all so much for your help and kind wishes.

[anneasquith]

really glad he is getting better,

[Sqad]

jules...thanks for the feedback.

[crisgal]

I'm so glad he's on the mend ♥

[ladyalex]

Delighted to hear he is feeling a bit better.
Thanks for the update.
Hope he is completely recovered soon.