Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Suggest Treatment For Mild Sore Throat And Bacterial Tonsillitis
Question: Tonsillitis not improving?
My right tonsil (left on the picture) has been a bit sore for over a week. On XXXXXXX 11th (5 days ago), I went to a doctor who said it was bacterial tonsillitis (no test was done) and was prescribed Amox 875 + Clav 125. I have been taking it as directed for the past 5 days. I don't feel like there is much improvement. The sore throat is pretty mild (and generally had been).
In the picture, there are 3 or 4 features that kinda worry me, mainly because they represent differences to the left tonsil and don't seem to be getting better as far as I can tell:
1. There is a white area where there is something -- this is what initially made me go to the doctor. It is still there. If I "stretch" the thing open, I see a larger area of white.
2. On the back "wall" (posterior pillar?) there is a swollen area. shaped kinda like the US state of Delaware. What is this?
3. There also appears to be some sort of "ball" at the edge of the throat.
4. The front "wall" (anterior pilar) also appears to have some kind of swelling on it.
Any feedback would be appreciated. I have an appointment with an ENT but not until next week.
Best regards
My right tonsil (left on the picture) has been a bit sore for over a week. On XXXXXXX 11th (5 days ago), I went to a doctor who said it was bacterial tonsillitis (no test was done) and was prescribed Amox 875 + Clav 125. I have been taking it as directed for the past 5 days. I don't feel like there is much improvement. The sore throat is pretty mild (and generally had been).
In the picture, there are 3 or 4 features that kinda worry me, mainly because they represent differences to the left tonsil and don't seem to be getting better as far as I can tell:
1. There is a white area where there is something -- this is what initially made me go to the doctor. It is still there. If I "stretch" the thing open, I see a larger area of white.
2. On the back "wall" (posterior pillar?) there is a swollen area. shaped kinda like the US state of Delaware. What is this?
3. There also appears to be some sort of "ball" at the edge of the throat.
4. The front "wall" (anterior pilar) also appears to have some kind of swelling on it.
Any feedback would be appreciated. I have an appointment with an ENT but not until next week.
Best regards
Brief Answer:
mild tonsillitis
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
Thank you for submitting image of your concerns. I do see a small amount of inflammation with 2 white patches. this inflammation is non-speciofic and may in all honesty be a viral infection. That would explain why you hav not improved with the antibiotics. The two white areas are called crypts. These are literally small pockets that can catch food and food particles and then turn white. These are normal and do not indicate infection. The best thing to do is salt water gargles that will help wash away the food particles. The gargles will also sooth your throat.
The other small swelling on the anterior pillar and posterior pillar are small foci of tonsillar tissue or lymph nodes. Again this is normal and to be expected with your recent infection
Overall these findings all indicate a viral illness and with the salt water gargles should improve quickly
mild tonsillitis
Detailed Answer:
Thank you for contacting HCM with your health care concerns
Thank you for submitting image of your concerns. I do see a small amount of inflammation with 2 white patches. this inflammation is non-speciofic and may in all honesty be a viral infection. That would explain why you hav not improved with the antibiotics. The two white areas are called crypts. These are literally small pockets that can catch food and food particles and then turn white. These are normal and do not indicate infection. The best thing to do is salt water gargles that will help wash away the food particles. The gargles will also sooth your throat.
The other small swelling on the anterior pillar and posterior pillar are small foci of tonsillar tissue or lymph nodes. Again this is normal and to be expected with your recent infection
Overall these findings all indicate a viral illness and with the salt water gargles should improve quickly
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Follow up -
my Brother-In-Law had mononucleosis in December. I last saw him on Nov 22 and my symptoms started the beginning of January. Is it possible that this could be mono? I have not had any of the standard mono symptoms besides sore throat (I have not had a fever and have not been especially exhausted as my BIL had been).
Also, my wife did not get sick from me being sick. I would've thought that strep throat would have gotten her sick?
my Brother-In-Law had mononucleosis in December. I last saw him on Nov 22 and my symptoms started the beginning of January. Is it possible that this could be mono? I have not had any of the standard mono symptoms besides sore throat (I have not had a fever and have not been especially exhausted as my BIL had been).
Also, my wife did not get sick from me being sick. I would've thought that strep throat would have gotten her sick?
Brief Answer:
Not Mono
Detailed Answer:
This is absolutely not mono. Mono has huge tonsils with large amount of white exudate and your tonsil is very small with minimal exudate.
You don't have strep throat. You clinical presentation is not anything near to strep. Not all people exposed to strep get strep throat so it is not surprising that your wife did not get ill.
I think you have a viral infection and she may still get sick.
Not Mono
Detailed Answer:
This is absolutely not mono. Mono has huge tonsils with large amount of white exudate and your tonsil is very small with minimal exudate.
You don't have strep throat. You clinical presentation is not anything near to strep. Not all people exposed to strep get strep throat so it is not surprising that your wife did not get ill.
I think you have a viral infection and she may still get sick.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I would like to thank you for your fast and detailed replies. I only asked about strep because the initial doctor I went to told me looked at it for 10 seconds, said it was strep, gave me antibiotics, and showed me the door :D
I only was starting to get worried because the very first sore throat started XXXXXXX 1, went away, then came back and has not recovered since.
Thank you for your replies and I would like to wish you a great weekend.
Best regards.
I only was starting to get worried because the very first sore throat started XXXXXXX 1, went away, then came back and has not recovered since.
Thank you for your replies and I would like to wish you a great weekend.
Best regards.
Brief Answer:
your welcome
Detailed Answer:
Best of luck and hope you feel better soon
your welcome
Detailed Answer:
Best of luck and hope you feel better soon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Another follow up:
My initial diagnosis (visual, with no test) was done by a dr on a cruise ship. The Doc there prescribed me 5 days amox+clav and told me to talk with a local doc when I got home (in Germany). When I talked with the local doc, she didn't even look at my tonsils and said "you should've been prescribed 10 days" and wrote me a script, which i picked up and should start the 2nd 5-day script tomorrow.
Should I continue with the ABX for the 2nd prescription? The first doctor said she prescribed it to protect against potential heart / kidney complications from the sore throat, but only prescribed the 5 days.
My initial diagnosis (visual, with no test) was done by a dr on a cruise ship. The Doc there prescribed me 5 days amox+clav and told me to talk with a local doc when I got home (in Germany). When I talked with the local doc, she didn't even look at my tonsils and said "you should've been prescribed 10 days" and wrote me a script, which i picked up and should start the 2nd 5-day script tomorrow.
Should I continue with the ABX for the 2nd prescription? The first doctor said she prescribed it to protect against potential heart / kidney complications from the sore throat, but only prescribed the 5 days.
Brief Answer:
Not recommended
Detailed Answer:
I would not recommend taking the rest of the prescription. Your initial diagnosis of strep throat was iffy and with the picture I would say the likelihood of strep is zero. Therefore taking the antibiotic would just put you at risk for resistance and possible bacterial overgrowth or other complications
Not recommended
Detailed Answer:
I would not recommend taking the rest of the prescription. Your initial diagnosis of strep throat was iffy and with the picture I would say the likelihood of strep is zero. Therefore taking the antibiotic would just put you at risk for resistance and possible bacterial overgrowth or other complications
Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
