in January 2022 Babies 🇬🇧

3 yr old with tonsillitis but dr won’t give antibiotics

My little one is on day 6 of having tonsillitis. On day one he was completely not himself, not eating/drinking, high temp and sleepy so we took him to a&e as it was a Sunday. They sent us away with antibiotics saying uti even though urine was negative for it so I got a second opinion from drs on Monday who said it’s actually tonsillitis but seems to be viral so no antibiotics needed as he seemed better in himself. He had a temp for 3 days but was back to eating (snacks), drinking and wanting to play. It’s now day 6 and he hasn’t had a temp for 3 days but his throat is more swollen then before (with no pus) and even though he’s eating/drinking, has no temp or pus on throat, he just seems a little off and wants to sleep for longer periods! Dr still doesn’t think antibiotics are needed even though he’s not actually had a snotty nose or cough to point to viral. Would have thought by day 6 the swelling would be getting better. Has anyone else’s little ones had tonsillitis without antibiotics that dragged on for longer than 6 days?

Show your support

My little girl has had recurring tonsillitis for about 2 years - in that time I’ve noticed some cases genuinely just need the body to fight it off be it slowly, whereas sometimes the tonsils can be quite red and angry looking and that’s usually a case that needs antibiotics. My daughter has finally had an operation to get them out but yeah, sorry I’m not much help. I hope your little boy gets better soon x

My little one has it at he moment. We went to A&E Sunday as he was in alot of pain & we had no idea why. He was complaining of tummy pain which we didn't know they can get with tonsillitis! They gave us antibiotics for 5 days & he seems to be on the mend now. I would definitely go back if it's getting no better xx

Try to do a test on streptococcus from Amazon if it is a bacteria it will show it.

@Gina yes my boy was complaining about tummy pain too which is why they thought uti to start with. Such a minefield trying to help little ones when poorly x

@Nataly we did but I got completely distracted with my newborn and left it way too long. It looked positive but also couldn’t rule out a evap line. I mentioned to dr and they said they don’t always give antibiotics for strep if they don’t have temp and seem well in themselves 🥴 x

We were prescribed antibiotics only when daughter had white pus and couldn’t eat at all with tonsillitis. So it is always better to keep an eye on the child and listen to your instincts they will suggest what is right:)

Doctors seem to call tonsillitis viral all the time if there’s no pus. But this is not always the case. If they don’t seem to be getting better after a week and they are really quite poorly with it I’d ask for a second opinion. My son has a long history of tonsillitis and on the list for surgery. Even when they’ve just been red, no pus, we always end up having to go back to the doctors and within one day of antibiotics he is so much better. Antibiotics don’t treat viral but if it’s bacterial then they help speed up them fighting it off.

Not my little one but I get tonsilitis 4 or 5 times a year. I usually get given antibiotics if my tonsils are covered in white spots and also if I get seen straight away. If I left it til day 6 they most likely wouldn't prescribe because antibiotics are most effective if the illness is caught in the first few days. Even bacterial tonsilitis can clear without antibiotics so they would generally give them as a last resort if it's already been a few days. x

@Liv how did it go if you don't mind me asking? I'm hoping mine will have hers out soon x

@Mou the whole process of her being put to sleep went really smoothly - she was really relaxed and they put us at ease so much, her waking up from the anaesthesia was quite scary (so please be prepared!!!) she didn’t recognise us and we ended up seeing alot of blood she’d lost. She had it done last Thursday and she’s been eating and drinking as normal, they give you strong morphine to take home for the intense days. Days 3-5 were the worst but honestly it’s been amazing to see how quickly she’s recovering. Feel free to message if you need anything xx