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Tonsillitis: consult a GP for a diagnosis

In adults, a sore throat is very often caused by a bacterial or viral infection, such as tonsillitis. Tonsillitis can be bacterial or viral, and can appear as white or red tonsils. With this common infection, treatment is often limited to managing the symptoms. It is the doctor, for example during an online consultation, who gives their opinion and chooses the most suitable treatment for the patient.

Tonsillitis: what are the symptoms?

Not all sore throats are tonsillitis. A cold, smoking, acid reflux, inflammation of the larynx or other illnesses or conditions can all cause a sore throat. Tonsillitis is a mild condition and is most often not serious. This inflammation of the tonsils is of infectious origin. It's often described as white or red tonsillitis, depending on the appearance of the tonsils. It's important to reach an accurate diagnosis, as viral and bacterial tonsillitis are not managed in the same way. Tonsillitis is recognised by an intense sore throat, which can sometimes radiate up to the ears. Patients often find it difficult and painful to swallow. There may be fever, and swollen glands can appear in the neck. A child who has caught tonsillitis may show symptoms resembling digestive problems, such as stomach ache or vomiting. Throat pain and difficulty swallowing can lead to loss of appetite. With white tonsillitis, the doctor may observe a whitish coating, whereas with red tonsillitis, the tonsils tend to look swollen and red instead. You don't need to have all of the symptoms mentioned above to have tonsillitis. With tonsillitis, some symptoms can sometimes resemble those of a cold or even Covid.

How is tonsillitis treated?

If you have symptoms such as a severe sore throat, swollen red tonsils and swollen lymph nodes, it's advisable to see a doctor to confirm a diagnosis of tonsillitis. Treatments for tonsillitis can include:
 • Rest;
 • Staying hydrated. It's advisable to drink plenty of water to help the body fight the infection;
 • Antibiotics, such as penicillin, for bacterial tonsillitis. It's essential to complete the full course of treatment to fully clear the infection, even once the symptoms have gone;
 • Taking a pain-relief medication, such as ibuprofen or paracetamol, can help relieve fever and pain;
 • Some doctors may recommend gargling with warm salt water to soothe throat irritation.
Other general measures can include adjusting your lifestyle and diet. For example, it's advisable to avoid anything that can irritate the throat, such as alcohol and cigarette smoke. Spicy foods are also best avoided; it's better to eat soft, easy-to-swallow foods, such as fruit purées, yoghurt, soup, etc. Finally, in cases of viral tonsillitis, basic hygiene precautions are important, as is good general hygiene (frequent hand washing, isolation, etc.), in order to limit the spread of the virus to other people. In all cases, a diagnosis from a GP is important to avoid complications. If certain symptoms persist or worsen, it's advisable to seek prompt medical attention, particularly if you have a high fever or difficulty breathing or eating.

What causes pharyngitis?

Tonsillitis (or pharyngitis) is mainly of viral or bacterial origin. However, other factors can cause symptoms similar to those of tonsillitis. Common causes of tonsillitis include:
 • A viral infection, for example caused by a rhinovirus, the Epstein-Barr virus (responsible for glandular fever), the influenza virus and other viruses. Viral tonsillitis is generally accompanied by cold-like symptoms, such as nasal congestion and a cough;
 • A bacterial infection. The bacterium most often responsible is streptococcus (streptococcus pyogenes). Antibiotic treatment is often necessary. This is known as strep throat;
 • Other causes can irritate the throat and give the impression of tonsillitis: environmental factors (pollution, cigarette smoke, etc.), food or seasonal allergies, prolonged shouting or excessively loud talking, etc.
Depending on the symptoms, a laboratory test (such as a throat swab) is sometimes necessary in order to distinguish viral from bacterial tonsillitis and put in place an appropriate treatment.

Is tonsillitis contagious?

Yes, tonsillitis can be contagious, particularly in cases of viral or bacterial infection. With a bacterial infection, the infected person remains contagious until they have been treated with antibiotics for at least 24 to 48 hours. After that, the contagiousness of tonsillitis drops off quickly once antibiotic treatment has been started for strep throat. As for viral tonsillitis, people remain contagious for as long as they are carrying the virus. These viruses generally spread in the same way as other illnesses such as the cold or flu, namely:
 • Through respiratory droplets released when sneezing or coughing;
 • Or through direct contact with contaminated objects or surfaces;
To help prevent this risk of transmission, it's advisable to adopt hygiene measures, such as washing your hands frequently, sneezing or coughing into your elbow, avoiding sharing personal items, etc.

Who should you see if you have tonsillitis?

It's advisable to see a healthcare professional or take a test at the pharmacy to distinguish viral from bacterial tonsillitis. Treatment is then adjusted according to the cause of the tonsillitis. Generally speaking, though, you can consult:
 • A general practitioner;
 • An ear, nose and throat specialist (ENT). This healthcare professional can be consulted in cases of frequent throat infections, or severe tonsillitis;
 • For children, the paediatrician is the doctor specialising in children's healthcare;
 • Seek emergency care if: severe breathing difficulties, persistent high fever, difficulty eating and swallowing, etc.
It's important to see a doctor, as bacterial tonsillitis, without adequate treatment, can lead to complications. If necessary, a throat swab can be carried out to diagnose bacterial tonsillitis. Treatment for tonsillitis can then include medication, antibiotics, hygiene measures, rest and staying well hydrated.