Peritonsillary abscess is a bacterial infection that causes pus around the tonsils or tonsils. This condition generally occurs due to complications from tonsillitis or tonsillitis that are not treated properly. Check out the causes, symptoms and how to treat peritonsil abscesses below!
Peritonsil abscess is most common in children, adolescents, and young adults. This condition can cause pain, swelling, and a blockage in the throat. When the throat is blocked, the activity of swallowing, talking, even breathing will be difficult and painful.
Causes of Peritonsil Abscess that You Need to Watch Out for
Most peritonsil abscesses are caused by the same bacteria that cause strep throat. Streptococci are the bacteria that most often cause infections in the soft tissue around the tonsils. This tissue can be attacked by bacteria that spread from infected tonsil glands.
There are several factors that can increase the risk of peritonsil abscess, namely:
- Gum infections, such as periodontitis and gum inflammation.
- Chronic tonsillitis (tonsillitis).
- Mononucleosis infection.
- Smoke.
- Chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
- Calcium deposits or stones in tonsils (tonsilloliths).
Symptoms of Peritonsil Abscess
Symptoms that arise due to peritonsil abscess include:
- Fever and chills.
- Severe throat pain on one side.
- Ear pain on the same side as an abscess.
- Difficulty swallowing, and difficult and painful when opening the mouth
- Swelling on the face and neck, usually on the infected side.
- Headache.
- Croaky voice.
- Spasms of the jaw muscles (trismus) and neck (torticollis).
- The lymph nodes in the neck enlarge and become painful to the touch.
- The uvula (small tissue that hangs in the middle of the throat) shifts to the healthy side.
Peritonsil abscess can attack one or both tonsils. This infection generally often spreads to the area behind the tonsils, then spreads to the neck and chest. If swollen tissue blocks the respiratory tract, it can cause a medical emergency that can be life threatening. Peritonsil abscess can rupture in the throat, and pus that is the contents of the abscess can enter the lungs and cause pneumonia.
How is peritonsil abscess treated?
Good treatment is needed to treat peritonsil abscesses. The doctor will do a series of checks before taking any treatment. The examination is a physical examination of the mouth, throat and neck, and blood tests if needed. CT scan or even ultrasound is rarely done, but your doctor can recommend it depending on your condition.
Peritonsil abscesses are generally treated by removing pus, by suctioning through a needle (aspiration), or making a small incision in the abscess with a scalpel so that pus can flow out. If this method is not enough to overcome peritonsil abscess, then the patient's tonsils must be removed by tonsillectomy. Tonsillectomy applies to patients who often suffer from tonsillitis or have experienced peritonsillary abscesses before.
Due to pain and difficulty swallowing, the patient will be given fluids and nutrients through an IV. The doctor will also provide painkillers and antibiotics to treat bacterial infections that occur. You are required to take antibiotics according to the doctor's recommended dosage. The reason is if not spent, the infection may reappear.
Maintaining clean teeth and mouth and not smoking is the best way to prevent peritonsil abscesses. If you experience symptoms of peritonsillary abscess, see your doctor immediately to get yourself treated for intensive and appropriate treatment, before causing dangerous complications.
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