Tonsillitis

Patients with sore throat should regularly take paracetamol or ibuprofen for pain relief, as well as local medications for the relief of their sore throat. These may include lozenges, oral sprays, gels, and mouthwashes that soothe the throat and provide some pain relief. Although there is no evidence that these can reduce the duration of sore throat, many patients find them helpful. If the pain does not improve after 3 days, if there is fever over 38.3°C (>101°F), if swallowing becomes so difficult that it is hard to swallow saliva or liquids, or if any difficulty in breathing develops, the patient must contact his or her doctor. Similarly, the patient must contact the doctor if there is any one-sided neck or throat swelling.