diagnosis

We came back down south today and I waved in the direction of all my friends as we came but I didn’t arrange to meet up with any of you as I have tonsilitis. At least I have a diagnosis now!

It started this morning when I decided to look in my mouth with a torch. It was feeling kinda furry you know!

I shone the torch in and peered into the mirror to be met by huge, white pustules all over my throat and mouth!

Next stop NHS symptomschecker.

The main symptom of tonsillitis is a sore throat. *check*

Other common symptoms include:

red and swollen tonsils *check*

pain when swallowing *check*

high temperature (fever) over 38°C (100.4°F) *I don’t know as I didn’t take my temperature, but I’ve definitely been feverish.*

coughing *check*

headache *check*

tiredness *12 hours sleep per night? Check!*

pain in your child’s ears or neck *I don’t know about my kids but my ears have positively screamed whenever I’ve sneezed and my neck is incredibly tender*

white pus-filled spots on your child’s tonsils *what is this with my kids? I have pus-filled ships on my tonsils though*

swollen lymph nodes (glands) in your child’s neck *I have the neck of an American footballer*

loss of voice or changes to your child’s normal tone of voice *check*

Less common symptoms of tonsillitis may include:

being sick *no, but I feel sick*

a ‘furry’ tongue *check*

bad breath *difficult for me to answer*

difficulty opening the mouth *I did have a terrible jaw ache*

Younger children may also complain of a stomach ache, which can be caused by the swelling of the lymph nodes in the abdomen. *does 43 count as a younger child because I’ve had horrible stomach ache*

So I spoke to my dad who was a doctor in his working life and he agrees with my diagnosis. He also said I have to get some antibiotics, so that will be my plan for Thursday.

Have a lovely new year, I imagine mine will be spent being comfy!