Causes

The abscess is caused by bacteria. It is usually a complication of another illness, such as:

• Strep pharyngitis—swelling and inflammation at the back of the throat
• Tonsilitis
• Pharyngitis or tonsilitis caused by other bacteria
• Mononucleosis

Risk Factors

Factors that increase your chances of developing peritonsillar abscess include:

• Age: 20-40 years
• Gender: male
• Recent throat infection or dental infection
• Periodontal disease
• Smoking

Tell your doctor if you have any of these risk factors.

Symptoms

If you have any of these symptoms, do not assume it is due to peritonsillar abscess. These may be caused by other conditions. Tell your doctor if you have:

• Tonsils that are moved to one side
• Fever
• Drooling
• Bad breath
• Spasm of the jaw muscle
• Discomfort in the uvula and soft palate—the tissue at the roof of the mouth
• Difficulty swallowing

Diagnosis

Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done. Tests may include the following:

• You may need to have tissue tested. This can be done with needle aspiration.
• You may need to have pictures taken of the inside of your neck. This can be done with:
  • Ultrasound
  • CT scan
  • MRI scan

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best plan for you. Options include the following:

Prevention

To help reduce your chances of getting peritonsillar abscess, take the following steps:

• If you have an infection, see your doctor. This is especially important if you have severe or chronic throat infections.
• If you smoke, quit.

Revision Information

• Reviewer: Michael Woods, MD
• Review Date: 03/2013 -
• Update Date: 00/31/2013 -