peritonsillar abscess causes, symptoms, and treatments, in this article, we will talk about peritonsillar abscess and the most important peritonsillar abscess causes, peritonsillar abscess symptoms and the most important is, peritonsillar abscess treatment.
Tonsil abscess or abscess around the throat usually occurs as a result of inflammation in the tonsils or sore throat, and it is a health problem that causes pain and irritation of the affected area.
what is the peritonsillar abscess?
peritonsillar abscess is a bacterial infection that usually begins as a complication of tonsillitis or sore throat, in which a pus-filled sac forms near one of the tonsils.
Children, adolescents, and young people are most at risk of developing tonsil abscesses, and the chances of infection often increase at the beginning or end of the winter season, as a result of the spread of viral infections at this time of year.
Most often the abscess of the tonsils is caused by complications due to infection of peritonsillar abscess or throat, in which the infection spreads to the surrounding area, leading to the formation of an abscess.
The prevalence of this problem has decreased due to the use of antibiotics in the treatment of tonsillitis and sore throat, which reduces the chances of complications.
There is also another cause that can lead to an abscess of the tonsils, which is mononucleosis (u El E.), which can cause the formation of an abscess around the tonsils and can lead to infections of the gums and teeth.
In rare cases, this abscess may occur without infection, and this is the result of inflammation of the salivary glands, which are the glands under the tongue that produce saliva.
How do you tell if you have a peritonsillar abscess?
Symptoms of a peritonsillar abscess usually begin with a sore throat, may not be accompanied by fever or other symptoms, and some symptoms can appear, such as:
- Swelling of the mouth and throat, as a result of the occurrence of inflammation, often on one side.
- The location of the soft palate, the little finger of the tissue hanging in the middle of the throat, changes as the swelling from the abscess causes it to move away from the side affected by the tumor.
- Enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.
peritonsillar abscess symptoms
- Difficulty swallowing and feeling pain.
- Fever and chills.
- Spasm of the muscles of the jaw and neck.
- Ear pain on the same side as the abscess.
- Muffled sound as a result of the presence of an abscess.
peritonsillar abscess treatment
Treatment for tonsil abscess depends on the severity of the abscess, and treatment options include:
- The doctor can try to treat the abscess with antibiotics first.
- The doctor will remove the pus from the abscess with needles or a syringe if antibiotics do not help the problem, and can also tighten the abscess with a scalpel to get the pus out of it.
- The doctor may recommend surgical removal of the tonsils in a procedure called acute tonsillectomy if the person has preperitoneal abscesses.
Methods of prevention of tonsil abscess
The chances of developing a tonsil abscess can be reduced by starting treatment for tonsillitis or sore throat immediately after symptoms appear, as delaying treatment can lead to abscess formation.
Care should also be taken to clean the teeth well and conduct dental examinations to reassure their health and oral health.
It is advisable to avoid the habit of smoking, which increases the risk of the abscess.
Complications of peritonsillar abscess
Some complications can occur if the abscess is not treated, including:
- Airway obstruction.
- Dehydration.
- Infection of the jaw, neck, or chest.
- A bacterial infection in the bloodstream is known as sepsis.
- Pneumonia.
- Meningitis.
- Endocarditis is an inflammation of the inner lining of the heart.