How Long Does Tonsillitis Last?

Hi guys after reading through this it has made me feel a bit better, somthing that has not happened in a few days😔

 I'm in the same boat as most of you I had tonsillitis a lot as a kid but can't remeber having it as an adult. (I was 37 a couple of weeks ago)

I took a couple of days off work this week while the kids were off on holiday Monday was fine Tuesday I woke with a sore throat Wednesday I went to work (in pain) followed by the doctors.  He confirmed my thoughts and gave me some penicillin and a note for the rest of the week. Then stayed in bed till Friday but unfortunatly had to get up to go and collect a bike I had ordered for my sons eight birthday on the Saturday.  I did feel a bit better getting out and about (but like some of you said as well. I have a spit cup because it's slightly less painfull spitting it out as disgusting as it sounds) but I had, had nothing to eat all day because of the pain and it was now 4:30pm I made a mistake that I don't want any of you to do I pulled in to mcdonalds!!!! I typed my order in to my phone screen and handed it over the counter. Surprisingly it took two people to read it (they still messed it up) and off I went.  Surprised again because we all know its pure muck. It tasted nice and went down easy hmmmmm.  1 hour later my jaw neck and mouth inside looks swollen not just my tonsils.  

After a big panic reading about throat cancers I've found this thread and you all sound more like me phew. 

I can't belive it's day 3 of the penicillin and still no improvement I also can't belive I went though this a lot as a kid and I can't remember it ever this bad 😞😞

I going to try the warm water with lime honey and salt. Thanks. 

I'm 31 and I cannot tell you how painful this is. I used to have tonsillitis as a child and I can guarantee it wasn't anywhere near as painful as this! I started with a sore throat on Sunday morning and by Monday morning I couldn't get out of bed. The fever had taken over me. My husband took me to the doctors who confirmed I have a severe case of tonsillitis. It is now Tuesday and panicking as we have 2 little girls and my husband can't take anymore time off work. Painkillers are not working whatsoever and penicillin (500mg) doesn't seem to be working just yet. My ear is really really sore too. I tried looking for some good news on this thread but there isn't any! Lol. Am I on the wrong dose of penicillin? Shall I take more? My doc has given me another appointment for tomorrow for him to check. If they aren't any better, he said I could go to hospital to have them drained. Ivan honestly say, I would much rather give birth all over again! 

I havern't had this painful dose of tonsillitis is 1-2 years, i guess that's lucky. I'm in the 3rd day and loving it cant swallow nor can I barely talk although missing out of school isn't so bad. And i hope this doesn't go on for any longer and by the way don't buy butter mentols there so bad there just a lollie get the good brands like strepsols

I feel you.

Here's What I have done to wade through this rain of pain.

1. Drink Whiskey

2. Smoke a cigarette (i'm serious)

3. Take a Muscle relaxant and Anti-Inflammatory/Analgesic Tablet-----In My case it was "Myospaz-Forte".

If it does not ease the pain ,curse me all you want.

Sorry to here you were feeling as bad as you did, but I assume you must be feeling better now!! 

I have had my first ever bout of tonsillitis whilst travelling in South East Asia and I am done with my underestimation of this illness. I thought a 'sore throat' and a flu would come with this reasonably common illness, no. 

I haven't been able to swallow even the most necessary fluids; water feels like broken twigs and solid foods are just not possible. I haven't eaten in just over 3 days and my water consumption has been limited. Last night I finally went to the pharmacy however (the doctors here are useless) and self prescribed my self with 10 days of amoxycillin antibiotics, eludril mouthwas (which is a godsend) and some 400mg Advil Ibuprofen.. 

For anyone having this for the first time- this is my 5th/6th day and I am starting to see a flash of light at the end of the painful tunnel.. There is hope!! 

Going on day 5 or 6 maybe? and I'm convinced this is the end of the world. Can't remember the last time I got even half of a nights sleep at once. Started off with the grey patches all over the tonsils, LOTS of pain swallowing (had to resort to spitting in a water bottle *yuck*) but relatively little inflammation. Traveled from my left to my right, though as my right tonsils started fighting the infection my left started swelling and hurting more. I experienced a fever followed by chills back and forth for the first two days *it broke twice with me waking covered in a cold sweat*. Roughly 4 days in my right tonsils resumed to normal and my left side started effecting my ear causing a constant pulsing pain. Now, though the patches have left, my left tonsils are currently red and inflammed, and I'm still shuddering and mentally preparing myself before swallowing. Those of you whom say you get this often, I send my deepest respect, I can't begin to imagine. Finally, I am listing things I have tried and  their apparent successes/ failures.

Ginger tea with honey and lemon- might be helping me fight it off faster but other than soothing effect of heat (other teas work as well) I'd mostly say it's useful for keeping me hydrated.

Alternating heat/ice packs against swollen nodes on neck- bad idea for me. Brought a tiny bit of comfort for a second(more distraction than anything) pain remained or became slightly worse following. 

When my ear canal started pulsing with pain I placed a bottle of hydrogen peroxide in a hot bath to heat it then poured 1/2 a cap down my ear (place a towel under side of face laying down) and let it sit 'till the crackling stops or nearly stops. Would only recommend doing this once a day at most (Only worked the first time for me -day 4) This helped SO much the one time and I heard of it from a mother, whoes daughters fight this stuff semi-regularly. If this dries out your ear too much, place a drop of olive oil on a q-tip and gently re-lubricate your ear- be careful to not go deep with the q-tip!

Now trying a tbls of vinegar and a tsp of coconut oil. My wife read something on these and I guess we shall see. So far the vinegar burned going down but eased up quickly and lessened the pain a little. The oil....tasted like oil. Though why we have 2.5 liters of coconut oil in my house is beyond me.

Stay strong!

I'm so glad I found this forum. It contains far more useful information than the nurse practitioner I saw. I'm 42 and this is my first bout if tonsilitis as far as I can remember. 

It started with swollen lymph nodes in my neck while I was at a scout/guide camp almost two weeks ago. When I got home I could barely move for two days due to feeling exhausted. I had fever for a couple of nights but no pain. Then my tonsils swelled but still very little pain, just tiredness.

After a bit of googling I realised I might have bacterial tonsilitis (as opposed to viral) so antibiotics may help. I have no cough or cold. 

I saw the nurse practitioner who prescribed amoxicillin - a general antibiotic. She prescribed this one just in case my tonsillitis was related to the tinnitus I developed about 3 weeks ago (I got some nasal spray from a GP for that previously), despite me being told by the other nurse practitioner and a GP that I didn't gave an ear infection.

Then the pain hit. My tonsils went from mild ache to red, angry, really swollen, covered in white lesions. The tiredness got worse too. 

Now I just have the energy to sit in front of the TV and vegetate, constantly sipping water. Difflam spray is good but only works for a few minutes. Ibuprofen was good but since yesterday isn't touching the pain. I'm now sending my husband out for the honey and lemon lozenges and some soluble paracetamol (or similar). Thanks for mentioning them.

This is the last day of my summer holidays and then I have a quiet week at work (assuming I have the energy for work). Hope I feel better soon because next week I'm travelling to London 2 days then Chicago for 4 days. Does anyone know if tonsilitis is contagious to others, and how long for? I'm home based when not traveling so the rest of this week I won't come into contact with anyone but next week I'll be near hundreds of people and wouldn't wish it on anyone.

I have no clue what doctors you guys are seeing but some are seeing some clearly incompetent ones. I had severe tonsillitis with all the horrible symptoms described by everyone. Bad sleep, terrible pain in the throat, I was dehydrating because I couldn't even drink water, fever, chills, body aches, head aches, no appetite at all. Saw the doc on a Monday, got prescribed augmentin 1000mg three times a day first 3 days starting that Monday, then twice a day for 7 days. I can tell you that by Tuesday the pain was gone but I still couldn't put stress on my tonsils/throat area by speaking and eating solid food. Wednesday pain virtually gone, can eat and drink with ease, lymph nodes and tonsils still slightly swollen. Days after fully eradicated. Gotta keep on that antibiotic so it doesn't return. Rest plenty and drink vitamin c to help your immune system. Good luck to all those who suffer from this it really is one of the crappier illnesses out there I missed out on 2 and a half days of important work, but remember, there's worse out there!

God bless

I am on day 5. Started with cold and hot sweats & no energy. Then the headache, sore throat & earache started. I went to the doctors yesterday and have penecillin 8 a day for _10 days. I have ulcers in my mouth and it really hurts to swallow. I have been in bed for most of the time. I have throat spray, lozengers & take ibuprofen. I gargle salt water a couple of times a day but it hurts. 

Hoping for a fast recovery! I think I have bacterial tonsillitis as I don't have a cough. 

 Hi , I have suffered all my 54 yrs of life , I have the ultimate sorethroart remendies, Maalox and Benedryl Chidrens liguid works fine mix half and half it really work I spit it out during the Day but not at night Or The Number one ask your ENT Or Familly DOC for SWISH and Swallow Treatment it contains C-nystatin can be replaced W/ antibotics has /LidoVisc/Antacid Diphen#200 The first works Great Good Luck 

Hi , I have suffered all my 54 yrs of life , I have the ultimate sorethroart remendies, Maalox and Benedryl Chidrens liguid works fine mix half and half it really work I spit it out during the Day but not at night Or The Number one ask your ENT Or Familly DOC for SWISH and Swallow Treatment it contains C-nystatin can be replaced W/ antibotics has /LidoVisc/Antacid Diphen#200 The first works Great Good Luck _ 0 votes F Report g Share

Wow, they sure hurt don't they. Like almost everyone here, I just thought it was a sore throat and was trying to just drink tea, take vitamins and gargle to make it go away. But I noticed the pea-sized ulcer/abscess on my left side. I've been to the doc ( I am in the Philippines for work at the moment ) and I am on antibiotics - and day 5, today, I just started to feel some relief... and now tonight I am back where I was 2 days ago. So disheartened. Chocolate does hurt. Mash potato is easy to eat. Eggs and rice are ok too. Gosh, this really sucks.