Signs and symptoms

Symptoms of quinsy can include:

  • a severe and quickly worsening sore throat , usually on one side
  • swelling inside the mouth and throat
  • difficulty opening your mouth
  • pain when swallowing
  • difficulty swallowing, which may cause you to drool
  • changes to your voice or difficulty speaking
  • bad breath
  • earache on the affected side
  • headache and feeling generally unwell
  • difficulty breathing

Some people with quinsy may also have a high temperature (fever), although this sometimes passesbefore theabscess develops.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018