Treating quinsy

People with quinsyusually need to be treated in hospital.Depending on how severe the infection is, you may need to stay in hospital fora few days and rest at home fora week or twoafterwards.

Medication

You will be given antibiotics to clear the infection.These will usually be given directly into a vein (intravenously) at first, but you may switch to a short course of tablets or capsules once you are well enough leave hospital.

Painkillers, such as paracetamol and ibuprofen , will be given to help ease any pain. You can continue to take these while you recover at home if necessary.

Occasionally, corticosteroid medication may also be used to help reduce the swelling in your throat.

Surgery and procedures

In many cases, antibiotics alone are not effective, and it may be necessary to drain the pus from the abscess. This can be done by:

  • needle aspiration a long, fine needle is used to draw out the pus
  • incision and drainage a small cut (incision) ismadeover the affected area to drain thepus
  • a tonsillectomy an operation to remove your tonsils (this is rarely necessary while you have quinsy, but is often recommended at least six weeks after youve recovered)

You will often remain awake during aneedle aspiration or incision and drainage procedure, but you will begiven either a sedative to help you relax and/or a local anaesthetic to numb the area being treated.

Tonsillectomies and some incision and drainage procedures are carried out under general anaesthetic . This means you will be asleep and won't feel any pain while these procedures are carried out.

Content supplied by the NHS Website

Medically Reviewed by a doctor on 21 Dec 2018