What is Quinsy?
Often mistaken for common tonsillitis, quinsy has the potential to be very serious. Although it may begin with the same symptoms as tonsillitis, it is generally a worse form of the complaint and in the worst case may endanger life.
What Exactly Is Quinsy?
Quinsy is a common name given to peritonsillar abscess formation in the tonsil area. It affects people in their late teens and adulthood and usually affects one tonsil more than the other. It has the potential to be very dangerous if left untreated.What Are The Symptoms?
Peritonsillar abscesses start as a sore throat and inflammation of the tonsils. It develops into pus filled abscesses on the tonsil area making swallowing very difficult and extremely painful, sometimes nearly impossible.Along with this, there is often a high temperature and a general feeling of being unwell. You or those around you may have noticed a foul smelling breath odour and a visible swelling to the neck area. It is also likely that you will suffer from referred pain in the ears and neck area in general and a distinct change in your vocal ability and normal sound.
With quinsy, comes a lot of swelling of the area and surrounding tissues. This is what makes it so difficult to swallow and causes the pain.
How Is It Treated?
As many healthcare professionals are now convinced that most sore throats, even very bad ones, will heal on their own, people are afraid to go to their doctor with a sore throat complaint meaning that there is the potential for the condition to go undiagnosed until it becomes dangerous; quinsy, however is not very common these days.If your doctor thinks that you have a mild form of quinsy or typical Tonsillitis, you may be fortunate enough to be offered a course of antibiotics which will help the body fight the bad bacteria away and reduce the swelling and abscesses.
For others though, surgery may be necessary in which the abscess is incised and drained and a course of antibiotics is given after the procedure. This will require a visit to hospital and the use of a general anaesthetic while the procedure is being carried out followed by the antibiotics and pain relief.
The Dangers Of Quinsy
This condition carries several dangers, some more serious than others.In the worst case scenario, the individual may have a large, pus filled cavity to their tonsil which has the potential of bursting at any time. If this happens, the person may inhale the contained pus as they breathe, in which case the poison can enter their lungs; this is known as aspiration. It is made worse by the fact that the fluid they are inhaling is infected, it is thick and the body is already struggling to fight off the bacteria.When a person aspirates their lungs are a lot less able to function properly as the lungs cannot exchange oxygen and other gases as well as the fluid is preventing this natural action; in the worst case, this can cause severe damage, sometime irreparable.
If suspected, quinsy should be treated as an urgent medical case and you should go and see your doctor urgently for treatment.
What Next?
If you are worried about contracting Quinsy or would like to know more about it read our article on Can You Still Get Quinsy?
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Comments...
I had quinsy about 3year ago and i very nearly didn't recover too. Started mild and within a few days i was gettini a taxi to the Drs in my pjs so ill i couldn't swallow my own saliva. They sent me straight to hospital in n ambulance and was put straight on strong drips and operated on the next day. I ended up back in hospital a few days later as my wounds burst open, a common side affect to having tonsils out apparently. I think Im starting with it again but wondering if this is possible now I've had my tonsils out? Any advise?
Tracey3 - 28 December 2011 @ 3:20 AM
I'm laying in bed with Quincey for the 2nd time this year. I'm on 2 lots of antibiotics anti sickness drugs to counteract the side effects of such strong antibiotics I can't swallow my own saliva or yawn as my ear will burst My tonsils. Feel sorry for all you sufferers of quinsy and I'm praying these antibiotics kick in within 12 hours or it's hospital for me!
Jo - 20 December 2011 @ 6:08 PM
My son was admitted to hospital this morning with a quinsy that was very large, his dr said in most cases they were the size of a pea but his was 4 or 5 times larger, he is so ill tonight, ive had to leave him there for the night, he can't eat talk or swallow without severe pain, he had his tonsil lanced this morning which was horrendus for him and is now had to be put on morphine as nothing else is coming close to touching the pain, he will probably have to have it lanced again tomorrow as he is no better than he was 12 hours ago, this is a terrible thing to get and must be treated urgently.
Kaz - 15 December 2011 @ 11:59 PM
I had never heard of quinsy before, I am 36 years old and had tonsilitis in the past years which stopped coming for more than 5 years. I was diagnosed with quinsy after 2 days of going to the hospital and given penicillin which was not responding to my tonsilitis. On the third day, I could not sleep at night as I had excruciating pain even in my right ear. If your tonsilitis persist, I can affirm that its best to see an Ear, Eye and drink or swallow my saliva for the past 3 days.
none - 4 December 2011 @ 2:23 PM
i have quinsy as i'm typing this,it is very very scary,i also had it a few month's back,i never slept for 3 day's this week,as i could'nt breath,eat,or drink,anything,the whole of my right side of my throat closed over,worst throat pain you could ever have,and i had never even heard of quinsy,don't delay,get it sorted out at the 1st sighn.
cheekysmiler - 25 November 2011 @ 4:56 PM
Just spent all saturday in nct , first went to my gp on thursday complaining of a sore throat he gave me a course of antibiotics as well as taking anti inflams and paracetemol every 4 hours , friday was a nightmare with the pain and by saturday morning couldn't swallow or even talk. I went to see the same gp who referred me to nct , as soon as I arrived I was dealt with , first they tried the needle but the puss was to thick , then he cut me with a scappole and the squeezed it with a small pliers , the smell was terrible ! I was a bit suprised I was given no anesthtic of any kind because it really hurt. Anyway after spending the rest of the day in a bed I feel 80% better
charlie - 25 September 2011 @ 10:49 AM
Had quincys 9 years ago nearly killed me! had yet another throat infection(docs) more sprays etc woke up one day pillow soaked with dribble! could not speak yet alone swallow was alone at time so drove out after major frost to hospital put on drip gasping for air-got better though but infection burnt hole through my tonsil so had them out at grand age of of forty! do not ignore massive pain at one tonsil like I did!!!!!
GARETH RIDGE - 5 September 2011 @ 3:27 PM
I recently had a really bad case of acute tonsilitis, could hardly speak or swallow anything. Had a course of anti-biotics and it went away. Showed up again a few days later, same thing. Then I thought I had it again, doctor at the A&E said "Good news is you don't have a quinsy" but then after 3 days of antibiotics and no improvement I went and saw my normal GP. She referred me to an ENT (Ear nose & throat) specialist who straight away stuck a needle in there to see if there was any puss. Sure enough I had a quinsy, had it drained right there under a local, luckily my GP was on to it enough to send me to the specialist. If you have a sore throat and it's only on one side, especially if you can't open your mouth properly SEE A SPECIALIST! They look at tonsils all day and if you're early enough they'll fix it there, give you a perscription and send you home.
Kylos - 2 September 2011 @ 4:00 AM
I have had quincies twice now, both times I have had to go to hospital for five days. It is very painful and in the past I have left it too late, usually by the time I end up in the emergency room I can't even talk or swallow because my throat is so swolen. The first time I had to get my throat lanced. Luckly today I started with the same symptoms and new quincies were comming on, I called my doctor and they were fully booked, I told them my history with quincies and that I will most likely end up ion hospital if I did not get some antibiotics, they agreed to give me an appointment.
It starts with being unwell, you feel tired like a cold is comming on, sore throat, but it is not like a normal sore throat this feeling is different.
Quincys is scary because your airways are blocked, I noticed when I slept I snored like a train, gasping for air, it is also unbelievably painful.
Kristen - 29 August 2011 @ 9:39 AM
Had sore throat 02/08/11 and doc said it was a viral infection. On friday 05/08/11 went to docs again and said that it was tonsilitis. Now on mon 08/08/11 am off to hospital to see what they can do for me. hopefully good luck :-)
walldo - 8 August 2011 @ 10:49 AM
I have just been sent home after being admitted to hospital with quinsy. i had to have my throat lanced and drained. very sore still but am finally starting to eat better again.
it started as a saw throat monday, by tuesday i had a swollen tonsil and was in a bit more pain (having to take paracetomol every 4 hrs day and night, pain worse at night) by thursday taking paracetomol and nurofen. Saturday morning the pain was getting worse and neither pain killers were helping so went to out of hours GP, who referred me to hospital.
please dont allow the symptoms to get too bad before seeking medical advice\treatment.
kb - 7 August 2011 @ 6:05 PM
I had a sore throat in April 2008 on the Sunday. Got the chills and sweats during the night. Too poorly to get myself to docs on Monday. My brother took me on the Tuesday. Doctor told me I had tonsilitis and gave me double antibiotics. The pain was terrible, in my jaw bone, ear, splitting head ache, my voice changed, bad breath. I was struggling to swallow and breath laid down so my husband took me to A+E on the thursday night. The junior Dr said she thought I might have a quincy but the senior Dr said no, I couldn't have got it so quick and ent me home even though I could hardly open my mouth. By the Sunday (7 days after first sore throat!) My husband took me back to A+E as the water I was trying to swallow was coming out of my NOSE!!!! They tried aspirating it, lancing it but nothing helped. IV antibiotics, Paracetamol and fluids didn't help. It eventually burst on the wednesday morning at 5am. NO NURSES CAME TO ME!!!! I had to get up and show them what I had spat out! Even then they weren't bothered! What if I'd breathed it in!!!!????!!! Terrible care. Them I had to follow the shared Dr to another hospital 30 miles away to continue my treatment. MUCH better at that hospital though. Felt ill for 3 months after and took about 18 months to get over. DO NOT LET THEM FOB YOU OFF! YOU MUST GET URGENT TREATMENT.
Netty - 6 July 2011 @ 9:13 AM
I had quinsy 2 weeks ago and was admitted into hospital for 3 days. They were drained then followed by anitbiotics and pain killers. I finish my antibiotics today and still have a sore throat. I have never suffered with sore throats and this came out of the blue. I am going to try and have my tonsils out as my dad had quinsy never had his tonsils removed and ended up with throat cancer twice !!!! dont delay and think this will go away it wont get stright to your GP or even better A & E it can be fatal.
christine G - 17 June 2011 @ 2:55 PM
My brother has been in and out of hospital with this for a few days now, they have drained 19ml from the absess, and is on very strong antibiotics. He was sent home yesterday but another absess filled up during the night and then burst. He is now back in hospital awaiting a CT scan. We are very worried about tico comment that his relavtive died. Is this common? If anyone gets this please recognise you are very ill and get it treated asao
tink21 - 14 June 2011 @ 10:02 AM
I had chronic tonsilitus and was getting it every 3 weeks. I was due to have them removed. About a month before the operation I was diagnosed with tonsilitus by the doctor and witihn 4 hours I had developed quinsy. I could hardly breath and was taken straight to hospital where a was put on a very strong drip which brought the swelling down loads. The operation was brought forward and tonsils were removed before it had chance to come back. My advice - don't bother seeing you're GP - straight to the hospital! worst thing I've ever had
kevrobbo - 31 May 2011 @ 3:48 PM
Mine started with a sore throat which I ignored at first untill a few hours later I had a lump on one side of my throat and couldnt swallow properly. The next day I woke up I felt like I'd been run over, my whole body was aching. My neck and shoulders were all stiff I actually looked yellow. I was so delerious I couldnt care for anything going on around me at all. I must say this is the worst illness I have ever had in my life and took me nearly two weeks to feel normal again it was very scary, at one point I was havin hallucinations. I was so rundown I came out in coldsores and I lost a stone in weight I urge anyone wIth early symptoms to get to see a doctor asap.
jules - 13 May 2011 @ 8:55 AM
I had quinsy last year and very nearly didn't recover. I get tonsilitus very regularly so I thought that was what it was. I was in hospital for 4 weeks with a tube in my throat for food as my throat had completely closed up. I urge you to go to a doctor if you have any of the above symptoms as I ignored them and nearly died.
Poorlygirl - 10 May 2011 @ 9:52 AM
Saw GP today at Thames Doc as suffering from these exact symptoms apart from the fever, I've been taking Neurofen for a week now anyway. He didn't mention Quinsy, said looks quite bad actually and gave me Phenomethylpenicillin 250mg 4/day. Hope it will work coz am really scared now.
cheba - 1 May 2011 @ 12:06 AM
I've been travelling in Australia for 2 wks tomorrow and started feeling bad, scared to sleep as I felt like my throat was closing up. After 2.5days of camping and travelling I could no longer endure the pain and came to a hospital. When the doctor saw me she admitted me immediately and diagnosed me with Quinsy. I've been here now for 4 days and will probably remain for another 2 at least. They check my blood daily, and though my white cell count has improved and my temperature has lowered, infection in my blood remains the same. Until that decreases they'll continue me on IV. I'm glad I came when I did. It could have been fatal otherwise. My grandmother had it twice when she was younger and ended up gettin her tonsils removed. Same with a few other people I've heard. Really happy I have travel insurance :)
Sixer - 21 April 2011 @ 5:53 AM
My daughter just been diagnosed with quinsy and has been admitted to hospital for stronger antibiotics. She's been very ill with this. If you get tonsillitis and antibiotics don't work after a few days don't delay going back to the doctors you may have quinsy!
tigger - 17 April 2011 @ 5:02 PM
Diagnosed with quinsy yesterday, have never felt so ill! I'm on cefalexin which my doctor described as the bleach of antibiotics. I may have to have my throat lanced! If you think you may have this get to your doctors asap.
lindsay - 14 April 2011 @ 7:56 AM
Just heard that a distant male relative of 32 went into hospital with a very sore throat yesterday and died today being diagnosed with quinsy ! Very scary.
tico - 29 March 2011 @ 11:37 AM
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