Quinsy - Diagnosis 

See your GP if you have:

• a bad sore throat
• severe tonsillitis (infection of the tonsils)

Your GP will ask you about your symptoms and examine your throat and tonsils. Your tonsils are the two small glands found at the back of your throat, behind your tongue.

If quinsy (peritonsillar abscess) is suspected, you will be referred immediately to an ear, nose and throat specialist who will carry out further investigations. You may be admitted to hospital immediately if you have severe quinsy.

It is important that quinsy is diagnosed and treated quickly to prevent the infection from spreading.