Peritonsillar Abscess / Deep Neck Abscess Quiz
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Sore throat
My throat is red
White spots at the back of the throat
Swallowing difficulties
Choking on saliva/spit
Shortness of breath
Have a fever
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What is Peritonsillar Abscess / Deep Neck Abscess?
A bacterial infection of the areas around the tonsils and deep parts of the neck. Pus accumulates in these areas forming an abscess.
Typical Symptoms of Peritonsillar Abscess / Deep Neck Abscess
- Thick, muffled voice
- Discharge of yellow or green sputum.
- Recurrent tonsilIitis / tonsil infections
- Difficulty swallowing
- Sore throat with pain when swallowing
- Drooling
- Uvula deviated or pushed to the side due to throat swelling
- Earache
Diagnostic Questions for Peritonsillar Abscess / Deep Neck Abscess
Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this disease:
- Is your voice muffled or unclear when talking?
- Do you have yellow or green sputum?
- Have you had repeated tonsillitis?
- Do you have difficulty swallowing?
- Do you have a sore throat with pain when swallowing?
Treatment of Peritonsillar Abscess / Deep Neck Abscess
This condition is typically treated with antibiotics and often requires hospitalization. If the abscess is large, a surgeon may need to cut or drain the abscess to remove the pus and treat the infection.
Reviewed By:
Kenji Taylor, MD, MSc (Family Medicine, Primary Care)
Dr. Taylor is a Japanese-African American physician who grew up and was educated in the United States but spent a considerable amount of time in Japan as a college student, working professional and now father of three. After graduating from Brown, he worked in finance first before attending medical school at Penn. He then completed a fellowship with the Centers for Disease Control before going on to specialize in Family and Community Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) where he was also a chief resident. After a faculty position at Stanford, he moved with his family to Japan where he continues to see families on a military base outside of Tokyo, teach Japanese residents and serve remotely as a medical director for Roots Community Health Center. He also enjoys editing and writing podcast summaries for Hippo Education.
Rohini R, MD (Otolaryngology (ENT))
Dr. Rohini R is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon, with a Fellowship in Advanced Endoscopic Sinus and Skull Base Surgery and a Fellowship in Aesthetic Medicine and Lasers. Besides clinical practice and working with Ubie, she is actively training and mentoring medical students and residents. She has functioned in various work settings - teaching hospitals, private and free health centers, and worked with patients from all socioeconomic backgrounds due to her experience in free hospitals and volunteering in India and Singapore.
Content updated on Feb 19, 2025
Following the Medical Content Editorial Policy
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See full list
Symptoms Related to Peritonsillar Abscess / Deep Neck Abscess
Diseases Related to Peritonsillar Abscess / Deep Neck Abscess
FAQs
Q.
Ludwig’s Angina? Why Your Neck Is Swelling & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
Ludwig’s angina is a rare, rapidly spreading bacterial infection beneath the tongue and lower jaw, usually starting from a lower molar, that causes firm neck swelling, mouth-floor pain, trouble swallowing, drooling, and can quickly threaten the airway. There are several urgent steps to consider, including immediate emergency care for airway evaluation, IV antibiotics, and possible surgical drainage and dental treatment; see the complete, medically approved guidance and red flags below so you do not miss details that could change your next steps.
References:
* Saini S, Gupta S, Chugh A, Chugh P, Singh N. Ludwig's Angina: A Comprehensive Review. J Maxillofac Oral Surg. 2023 Dec;22(4):618-624. doi: 10.1007/s12663-023-01974-9. Epub 2023 Apr 15. PMID: 38048281; PMCID: PMC10697960.
* Benita-Bravo A, Martín-Granizo R, Olmedo-Gascón P, Valle-Muñoz P, Riba-García R, Marí-Roig A. Ludwig's angina: A retrospective cohort study of 127 patients. J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2022 Nov;80(11):1833-1841. doi: 10.1016/j.joms.2022.06.012. Epub 2022 Jun 15. PMID: 35843455.
* Bagewadi A, Keluskar V, Singh P. Ludwig's Angina - A Review of Etiology, Clinical Presentation, and Management. J Contemp Dent Pract. 2022 Jun 1;23(6):670-675. PMID: 35919799.
* Srikanth K, Saravanan S, Kumar V, Suresh R, Sathasivasubramanian S. Ludwig's Angina: A review. J Oral Maxillofac Pathol. 2021 Jan-Apr;25(1):164-169. doi: 10.4103/jomfp.jomfp_178_20. Epub 2021 Apr 15. PMID: 34168393; PMCID: PMC8219430.
* Paramo JC, King J, Woehrle T. Airway management considerations in patients with Ludwig's angina. J Emerg Trauma Shock. 2019 Jul-Sep;12(3):235-239. doi: 10.4103/JETS.JETS_42_19. PMID: 31741549; PMCID: PMC6822295.
Q.
Peritonsillar Abscess? Why Your Throat is Swelling & Medically Approved Next Steps
A.
A peritonsillar abscess is a serious but treatable pocket of infection beside a tonsil that can cause one-sided throat swelling, severe pain, muffled voice, drooling, and trouble swallowing; urgent medical care is needed because it can affect breathing and typically requires drainage plus antibiotics. There are several factors to consider, including red-flag symptoms that require emergency care, who is at higher risk, how it’s diagnosed, and what to expect from recovery and prevention. See below for medically approved next steps and important details that could change what you should do today.
References:
* Marra, C. M., & Qunio, A. R. (2024). Peritonsillar Abscess. In *StatPearls*. StatPearls Publishing.
* Ramchand, R. P. D., Eichel, J. L. A., Johnson, A. T., & Hessel, S. A. (2023). Management of Peritonsillar Abscess: A Review. *JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery*, *149*(3), 263–270.
* Schairer, J. M., Schairer, M. J., Schairer, A. M. H., & Schairer, R. A. M. (2021). Peritonsillar Abscess: A Comprehensive Review. *Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery*, *164*(3), 477–485.
* Hilton, D. J., Walz, T. M., Friel, J. K., & Walner, G. J. (2017). Peritonsillar Abscess: Pathogenesis, Diagnosis, and Management. *Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America*, *50*(4), 755–769.
* Friedman, M. A., Friedman, L. M., Lee, S. L., Bove, C. P., O'Malley, J. D., Gliklich, G. S., & Talamini, R. M. (2017). Peritonsillar Abscess: A Review of Epidemiology, Pathophysiology, Diagnosis, and Treatment. *The Laryngoscope*, *127*(7), 1538–1549.
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Link to full study:
https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2024.08.29.24312810v1References
Esposito S, De Guido C, Pappalardo M, Laudisio S, Meccariello G, Capoferri G, Rahman S, Vicini C, Principi N (2021). Retropharyngeal, Parapharyngeal and Peritonsillar Abscesses. Children (Basel, Switzerland).
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35626793/Klug TE (2017). Peritonsillar abscess: clinical aspects of microbiology, risk factors, and the association with parapharyngeal abscess. Danish medical journal.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28260599/Herzon FS, Martin AD (2006). Medical and surgical treatment of peritonsillar, retropharyngeal, and parapharyngeal abscesses. Current infectious disease reports.
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/16643771/