Quinsy, also known as peritonsillar abscess, is a rare and potentially serious complication of tonsillitis. It occurs when a bacterial infection spreads from an infected tonsil to the surrounding area, causing an abscess (a collection of pus) to form between one of the tonsils and the wall of the throat. Quinsy can occur at any age, but it most commonly affects teenagers and young adults, and its possible to get it more than once.
Symptoms of quinsy can include a severe and quickly worsening sore throat, usually on one side, swelling inside the mouth and throat, difficulty opening the mouth, difficulty swallowing, and a high temperature. If you or your child have symptoms of quinsy, you should see a doctor immediately.
To diagnose quinsy, a doctor will ask about the symptoms and examine the throat and tonsils. If quinsy is suspected, the patient will be referred immediately to a hospital ear, nose, and throat (ENT) specialist for further tests and treatment. Its important that quinsy is diagnosed and treated quickly to prevent the infection from spreading and to avoid serious problems caused by severe swelling, such as breathing problems.
People with quinsy usually need to be treated in the hospital. Depending on how severe the infection is, the patient may need to stay in the hospital for a few days and rest at home for a week or two afterwards. Treatment for quinsy involves antibiotics to clear the infection and surgical incision and drainage of the pus to relieve the pain of the pressed tissues. After treatment, the patient should take antibiotics as prescribed until finished, do warm saline throat gargles every hour while awake for 24 to 48 hours, try to drink fluids (especially cold fluids), avoid citrus, acidic or spicy products, take pain medication as prescribed, and eat a soft, bland diet and small, frequent meals.
