What is a peritonsillar abscess?
A person with a peritonsillar abscess has a collection of pus in the tissue near the tonsils, caused by a bacterial infection of the tonsils. Once the bacteria enter the tissue underneath the surface of the tonsil, the body forms an abscess in order to fight the infection. About 1 out of every 3,000 people develop a peritonsillar abscess each year in the US.

What are the symptoms of a peritonsillar abscess?
Symptoms of peritonsillar abscess include a severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing, inability to swallow, excessive drooling, fever, headache, hoarse voice, inability to open the mouth completely, and swollen glands in the neck.

How does the doctor treat a peritonsillar abscess?
Treatment for a peritonsillar abscess includes warm saltwater gargles, narcotic pain medications, antibiotics, and a procedure to drain pus from the abscess.