Peritonsillar abscess

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Lymphatic system

Throat anatomy

Quinsy; Abscess - peritonsillar

If the infection is caught early, you will be given antibiotics. More likely, if an abscess has developed, it will need to be drained with a needle or by cutting it open.

Sometimes, the abscess may be drained and the tonsils removed at the same time. You will be prescribed painkillers.

Peritonsillar abscess usually goes away with treatment, although the infection may return in the future.

• Airway obstruction
• Cellulitis of the jaw, neck, or chest
• Endocarditis (rare)
• Fluid around the lungs (pleural effusion)
• Inflammation around the heart (pericarditis)
• Pneumonia

Call your health care provider if you have had tonsillitis and you develop symptoms of peritonsillar abscess.

Call your health care provider if you have:

• Difficulty breathing
• Difficulty swallowing
• Pain in the chest
• Persistent fever
• Symptoms that get worse

Review Date: 11/23/2010
Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; and Seth Schwartz, MD, MPH, Otolaryngologist, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).

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