Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils causing sore throat and pain on swallowing. Viruses cause many cases, while group A streptococcus is one possible bacterial cause.
Key takeaways
- Fever, swollen neck nodes and tonsil coating do not by themselves prove a bacterial infection; cough and runny nose favour viral illness.
- Clinical scoring and, where appropriate, a rapid test or culture help decide whether an antibiotic is useful.
- Antibiotics do not help viral tonsillitis and broad-spectrum options are not automatically better for streptococcal disease.
Catalogue matches do not diagnose bacterial tonsillitis or indicate a suitable antibiotic and duration.
What helps while the cause is assessed?
Fluids, rest and age-appropriate pain relief may support recovery. Persistent or recurrent symptoms can reflect glandular fever, an abscess or another throat condition and should not prompt repeated antibiotics without review.
When is an antibiotic considered?
Confirmed or clinically likely streptococcal infection may be treated according to allergy history and local guidance. Cefixime is not a routine catalogue recommendation for every bacterial sore throat. See antibiotics for related entries.
When to seek urgent care
Seek urgent care for breathing difficulty, inability to swallow saliva, drooling, muffled voice, severe one-sided swelling, neck stiffness, dehydration or rapid deterioration.