# Tonsillitis: Symptoms, Home Care & When to Worry | Clever Mum

> Tonsillitis in children — symptoms, how long it lasts, what helps at home, and the NHS's own guidance on when to see a GP or seek urgent help.

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Childhood illness guide

 
# Tonsillitis

 
A sore throat and swollen tonsils that usually eases within a week

  
        [ CP ](/authors/parenting-desk/)   By [ Clever Mum Parenting ](/authors/parenting-desk/) · Parenting guides 

 
 Published 11 July 2026  

      
 
Quick answer — What is tonsillitis? 

 
Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils at the sides of the throat. Symptoms usually go away after 3 to 4 days, but can last longer. This is general information, not a diagnosis — see a GP or call NHS 111 if you're unsure.

    
## What it is

 
Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils at the sides of the throat.

 
## Symptoms

 
 * A sore throat, problems swallowing, a high temperature, coughing, headache, feeling sick, earache and tiredness
* More severe cases: swollen, painful glands in the neck; pus-filled spots or white patches on the tonsils; bad breath
 
 
## How long it lasts

 
Symptoms usually go away after 3 to 4 days, but can last longer.

 
## What helps at home

 
 * Get plenty of rest
* Offer cool drinks to soothe the throat
* Give paracetamol or ibuprofen — never give aspirin to a child under 16
* Gargling with warm salty water can help — but children shouldn't do this
 
 
## See a GP if

 
 * Symptoms do not go away within 1 week
* You keep getting throat infections
 
   
##  Call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child: 

 
 * •Have a severe sore throat that quickly gets worse
* •Have swelling inside the mouth and throat
* •Have difficulty speaking
* •Cannot swallow
* •Have difficulty breathing
* •Have difficulty opening your mouth
 
   
## Contagious period & nursery/school

 
Tonsillitis itself isn't contagious, but most of the infections that cause it are — the NHS doesn't give a fixed exclusion period, so use your child's symptoms (and how unwell they feel) as the guide for keeping them off nursery or school.

    
## Tonsillitis: common questions

    What is tonsillitis?   
 Tonsillitis is an infection of the tonsils at the sides of the throat. Symptoms usually go away after 3 to 4 days, but can last longer. This is general information, not a diagnosis — see a GP or call NHS 111 if you're unsure. 

   What are the symptoms of tonsillitis?   
 A sore throat, problems swallowing, a high temperature, coughing, headache, feeling sick, earache and tiredness More severe cases: swollen, painful glands in the neck; pus-filled spots or white patches on the tonsils; bad breath 

   When should I call 999 for tonsillitis?   
 Call 999 or go to A&E if you or your child: Have a severe sore throat that quickly gets worse Have swelling inside the mouth and throat Have difficulty speaking Cannot swallow Have difficulty breathing Have difficulty opening your mouth 

     
## 
Sources & further reading

 
 *  [ Tonsillitis ](https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/tonsillitis/)  — NHS 
 
   [← Chickenpox](/health/childhood-illnesses/chickenpox/) [All illnesses](/health/childhood-illnesses/) [Conjunctivitis →](/health/childhood-illnesses/conjunctivitis/)  

This is general information sourced from NHS.uk, not medical advice or a diagnostic tool. Every
          child is different — if you're at all worried, contact your GP, call NHS 111, or in an
          emergency call 999. Reviewed August 2026.

    
## Tonsillitis at a glance

   Typically affects A common childhood illness — teenagers and adults can get it too  Usual duration Symptoms usually go away after 3 to 4 days, but can last longer.  Has 999 red flags Yes — see below