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Viral or bacterial tonsilopharyngitis

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July 20th, 2010
Last week Tuesday I had a slight cold and a mild sore throat. I still have my tonsils. I saw my physician - who gave me a prescription for antibiotics. He told me not to get them filled unless it gets worse.

On Thursday, I got really worse. A fever spiked to 100, it hurt just to swallow, and I developed a bad cough and congestion.

It is now 7 days later. The sore throat just keeps getting worse - to the point where it hurts just to drink water. I was tested for Strep, and it came back negative. No more fever; but my throat is really red and swollen. There are no white patches, no abnormal growths. Just really red and swollen. I am feeling more fatigue than usual, yet I also am noticing a huge increase in appetite as well. I am thinking this is tonsilitis, but I am not a medical expert. Oh - and my saliva is a normal clear color...there is no yellow mucus or bloody mucus at all.


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replied July 21st, 2010
Cold, Flu and Viral Infections Answer A14471
Hi and welcome to the forum! I am glad that I can help you.

You want to know the cause of the symptoms that you experience.

Increased body temperature, sore throat, enlarged tonsils, nasal discharge and congestion may indicate viral or bacterial tonsilopharyngitis (inflammation of the tonsils and pharynx). In cases of viral infection individuals experience fatigue, muscle pain, fever, red throat and tonsils, but no pain when swallowing. In cases of bacterial infection people experience enlarged tonsils with or without pus on them, increased body temperature and pain when swallowing.

Given the data that you described, you may be experiencing a bacterial infection. You may consider stopping the antibiotic treatment for a couple of days to have a bacterial culture with an antibiogram from a swab sample from your throat to exclude possible bacterial infection. You may consider taking antibiotics according to the antibiogram results.

Please keep in mind that I provide medical information only. I am not able to diagnose medical conditions online. Please contact your doctor for further advice and information about diagnosis and treatment options.




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