What is quinsy throat?

Answer 1

This answer is taken from the nhs website:

"http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Quinsy/Pages/Definition.aspx?url=Pages/What-is-it.aspx"

Quinsy is an abscess between the back of the tonsil and the wall of the throat. It is also known as a peritonsillar abscess. It happens when infection spreads from a swollen tonsil to the area around it, usually during a severe case of tonsillitis. The symptoms of quinsy are similar to tonsillitis and include: * a worsening sore throat, usually on one side, * fever, * difficulty opening the mouth, * difficulty swallowing, * changes to your voice, * bad breath, * drooling rather than swallowing your own saliva, and * swelling of the face and neck. Quinsy is now rare because most people get effective treatment for tonsillitis early enough to prevent it. Quinsy may be suspected if you have a sore throat that gets a lot worse very quickly, or tonsillitis with more severe symptoms than normal. In most cases of quinsy, you will need to have a small operation in hospital, in order to drain the pus out of the abscess. Usually, the abscess that has formed is aspirated, which means that the pus is sucked out using a needle. However, in some cases, the abscess may be drained surgically by making an incision (cut) and draining the pus away. You will also need to take a course of antibiotics to prevent the infection spreading. In approximately 10-15% of cases of quinsy, the abscess will come back, usually within a year of the first occurrence. If this happens, you may need to have an operation to remove your tonsils (tonsillectomy).