Could Your Severe Sore Throat Be Peritonsillar Abscess?

If your severely painful sore throat is accompanied by inflamed tonsils, it might be due to a peritonsillar abscess. Left untreated, these painful pus-filled blisters can lead to increased symptoms and a worsening infection. To find relief and prevent complications, you might require drainage and antibiotics, or even a tonsillectomy. 

SLENT, or South Louisiana Ear, Nose, Throat & Facial Plastics, has locations in Mandeville, Hammond, and Slidell, Louisiana. Our experienced team of ENT specialists can diagnose a tonsillitis-related abscess and provide proper treatment.

Symptoms of a peritonsillar abscess 

What might seem like a typical case of tonsillitis or strep throat at first can sometimes become severe, leading to significant symptoms. Peritonsillar abscesses occur when an infection of the tonsils begins to spread to the surrounding tissue and pus collects, forming a nasty abscess. 

This abscess can lead to worsening symptoms, including: 

• Intense throat pain 
• Trismus, or difficulty opening your mouth
• Muffled or lost voice
• Difficulty swallowing
• Swelling 
• Drooling 
• Fever 

While inflammation of the tonsils can only sometimes be seen, an abscess will be more visible, appearing like a swollen boil or blister. If you press down your tongue and shine a light down your throat, you might be able to see it at the back of your throat. 

If you suspect you might have a peritonsillar abscess, you should see a doctor as soon as possible, especially if you’re experiencing fever and chills. Any sort of severe infection can turn dangerous, and your ears, nose, and throat are particularly vulnerable.

Treatment for a peritonsillar abscess 

At SLENT, our team of ear, nose, and throat specialists has extensive experience with tonsillitis in patients of all ages. If an abscess has formed on one of your tonsils, they’ll be able to diagnose the condition and help clear up the infection. 

They start by draining and cleaning the abscess. This will not only relieve pressure and pain in the throat, but it will also help keep the infection from spreading further. From there, they can run diagnostics to see whether the infection is viral or bacterial. 

If the underlying cause is bacterial, they prescribe antibiotics to speed up recovery. Most instances of tonsillitis clear up without issue, though a tonsillectomy is sometimes recommended in chronic cases or for those with recurring abscesses. 

Suffering from what feels like particularly severe tonsillitis? Don’t ignore your symptoms. Schedule a consultation with the team at SLENT by calling the location closest to you, or visit the contact page for more options.