Consumer Information

Peritonsillar Abscess

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

A peritonsillar (per-ee-TON-si-ler) abscess (AB-sess), also called PTA, is a collection of pus (yellowish infected fluid) in the peritonsillar space. This space is the area between your tonsil and the back wall of your throat. It is near the opening of the tubes leading to your stomach and lungs. PTA is often caused by bacteria (germs), which lead to an infection of your tonsils. It may also happen following any oral (mouth) infection, including an infection of the teeth and salivary glands. The salivary glands are the organs in the mouth that make saliva. Smoking and poor oral hygiene may put you at a higher risk of having PTA.
Common signs and symptoms include a very sore throat, drooling, bad breath, and a hot-potato voice. Your tonsil may be red, swollen, and enlarged, and the uvula may move to one side. You may have trouble or pain when opening or closing your mouth, swallowing, or moving your neck. You may also have fever, enlarged neck lymph nodes, and loss of appetite. Your caregiver will do a physical exam and other tests to diagnose PTA. Tests may include needle aspiration, computerized tomography (CT) scan, or ultrasound. Treatment includes use of antibiotic medicine and removing the pus. With treatment, such as medicine and aspiration of pus, PTA may be cured and more serious problems may be prevented.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat you. You always have the right to refuse treatment.

RISKS:

Treatment for PTA may cause unpleasant effects. Medicines may cause itching, nausea, vomiting, or seizures (convulsions). Sometimes, pus may need to be drained more than once. If left untreated, your problems could get worse and may be life-threatening. You may have trouble swallowing or be unable to eat and drink. Your airway may become blocked and cause breathing problems. The abscess may burst and the infection may spread to the rest of the body. Ask your caregiver if you are worried or have questions about your PTA, care, or treatment.

WHILE YOU ARE HERE:

Informed consent: You have the right to understand your health condition in words that you know. You should be told what tests, treatments, or procedures may be done to treat your condition. Your doctor should also tell you about the risks and benefits of each treatment. You may be asked to sign a consent form that gives caregivers permission to do certain tests, treatments, or procedures. If you are unable to give your consent, someone who has permission can sign this form for you. A consent form is a legal piece of paper that tells exactly what will be done to you. Before giving your consent, make sure all your questions have been answered so that you understand what may happen.

IV: An IV is a tube placed in your vein for giving medicine or liquids. This tube is capped or connected to tubing and liquid.

Medicines: Your caregiver may give you the following kinds of medicines:

Antibiotics: Antibiotics may be given to help treat or prevent an infection caused by germs called bacteria.
Fever medicine: This type of medicine is given to help lower your body temperature. Common medicines used to lower temperature include acetaminophen and ibuprofen. Lowering your body temperature may help you feel better.
Pain medicine: Caregivers may give you medicine to take away or decrease your pain. Medicine may be given regularly, or may only be given if you ask caregivers for it. Tell caregivers if your pain does not decrease enough for you to feel better. Do not wait to ask for your pain medicine until the pain is very bad. The medicine may not work as well at controlling your pain if you wait too long to take it. Ask your caregiver for help getting out of bed if you feel tired or dizzy.

Tests: You may need any of the following tests:

Aspiration: Caregivers may do this test to check if there is pus under the inflamed area. A needle may be used to suck the fluid out of the abscess. If pus is present, it is removed and sent to the lab for tests.
Blood tests: You may need blood taken for tests. The blood can be taken from a blood vessel in your hand, arm, or the bend in your elbow. It is tested to see how your body is doing. It can give your caregivers more information about your health condition. You may need to have blood drawn more than once.
Computerized tomography scan: This is also called a CT scan. A special x-ray machine uses a computer to take pictures of your head and neck. You may be given dye through an IV before the pictures are taken. The dye may help your caregiver see the pictures better. People who are allergic to iodine or shellfish (lobster, crab, or shrimp) may be allergic to some dyes. Tell your caregiver if you are allergic to shellfish or have other allergies or health problems.
Ultrasound: An ultrasound is a simple test that looks inside of your body. Sound waves are used to show pictures of your organs and tissues on a TV-like screen.

Treatment options:

Incision and drainage: Your caregiver may drain the pus that has collected by making an incision (cut) in the infected area.
Needle aspiration: This is done to suck the fluid out of the abscess. Using an ultrasound to guide him, your caregiver will put a needle into the abscess and drain the fluid.
Tonsillectomy: This is surgery to remove your tonsils. This may be done if other forms of treatment have failed. You may also need this surgery if you keep having PTA or if your tonsils get infected often.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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