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Date issued: December 2022 

Review date: December 2024

Ref: A-568/NB/ED/Tonsillitis and Peritonsillar Abscesses

PDF:  Tonsillitis and Peritonsillar Abscesses final December 2022.pdf [pdf] 126KB

To help with your recovery you should:

• Take plenty of rest and sleep

• Drink plenty of fluids

• Take pain relief before meals to aid swallowing and eat normally

  • Paracetamol 1g as required – up to 4 times a day

  • Ibuprofen 400mg as required – up to 3 times a day

  • Oramorph 10mg as required – up to 4 times a day

• Complete the course of antibiotics prescribed

  • For tonsillitis: Penicillin V 500mg 4 times a day for 10 days (or Clindamycin 450mg 3 times a day for 10 days if penicillin allergic)

• For peritonsillar abscess: Penicillin 500mg 4 times a day (or Clindamycin 450mg 3 times a day for 10 days if penicillin allergic) + Metronidazole 400mg 3 times a day for 10 days

• Use the prescribed mouthwash (Difflam) 4 times a day for 7 days

• If you smoke, stop for at least 7 days, as it may make your throat sore and may slow down healing

• Try to avoid people with colds and coughs and stay out of public places

• If your symptoms return and you have difficulty swallowing, contact Lynher Ward on 01752 792274