Can You Still Get Quinsy?

Yes, it is possible to get quinsy, although many people today have not heard of it. Quinsy, or a quinsy throat was well known a hundred years ago. More people developed it then because there were no antibiotics available to treat tonsillitis.

Quinsy is a complication of an infection in the tonsils. It develops as a result of acute tonsillitis as the infection spreads into the tissue surrounding the tonsil, causing a build up of pus. This abscess is what gives quinsy its medical name – peritonsillar abscess.

What are the Symptoms of Quinsy?

Tonsillitis is pretty painful but the pain of quinsy has been described as excruciating. An extreme sore throat, on one side of the throat more than the other is the most common sign that a peritonsillar abscess is starting to form. The general tenderness of the throat can also make it difficult to swallow. As the abscess becomes more serious, the pain worsens and the person affected starts to feel very ill with fever, lethargy and a headache. Their speech can also be affected, causing something called a ‘hot potato voice’. Presumably this is because they speak as if they have a scalding hot potato in their mouth.

The inflammation and infection at the back of the throat affects the neck and severe neck pain can also develop. The lymph nodes under the jaw line and at the back of the head frequently become enlarged and can be easily felt. The jaw can become so sore that opening the mouth becomes impossible.

How Rare is Quinsy?

Quinsy is quite rare in the UK today. It occurs more commonly where people have much less access to antibiotics, leaving them vulnerable to the spread of infection after tonsillitis. With antibiotic resistance growing, it is more likely to be seen in the future, even where antibiotics are available. If someone being treated for a sore throat only completes part of a course of antibiotics, this can make resistance more likely. The general advice today is that GPs should not give antibiotics for sore throats that are caused by viruses but many still do, following pressure from the patient themselves or from anxious parents.

If quinsy affects anyone in the UK it tends to be children and teenagers. This age group are exposed to many cold viruses, which can allow secondary bacterial infections in the tonsils. A teenager who is prone to acute tonsillitis needs to be watched carefully for signs of developing severe pain at the back of the throat.

Can Quinsy be Treated?

Antibiotics are indicated in cases of severe tonsillitis and this usually prevents quinsy from arising in the first place. If the tonsillitis still persists, it may be that the infection is caused, at least partly, by an antibiotic resistant strain of bacteria. It is sensible for the doctor looking after someone with a severe tonsil infection to try to take samples from the throat so that the causative bacteria can be identified and typed to check this out. Then, a different antibiotic can then be used to tackle the infection.

In very severe cases, the infection can spread further into the neck and can cause breathing difficulties. Further spread into the blood, with general blood poisoning is then possible. Quinsy is not a fast moving infection though. Usually it can be brought under control before it becomes a serious risk and a complete recovery within a few weeks is usual.