Quinsy 

Quinsy is a complication of tonsillitis. 

It is a collection of pus that develops between the back of one of your tonsils and the wall of your throat. This is known as an abscess. An abscess can develop when an infection spreads from a swollen tonsil to the surrounding area.

The medical name for quinsy is peritonsillar abscess.

When to see your GP

Quinsy may be suspected if you have tonsillitis or a sore throat that gets worse very quickly. See your GP as soon as possible if this happens.

If the abscess grows large enough, it can block your airways and cause breathing difficulties. Therefore, it is important that treatment is started as soon as possible.

See Quinsy - symptoms for more information.

Treating quinsy

Antibiotics will be recommended to clear the infection and painkillers will be used to deal with any pain. Pus from the abscess may need to be drained. This may involve having a minor surgical procedure that is carried out under anaesthetic in hospital. See Quinsy - treatment for more information.

How common is quinsy?

Quinsy is not common. This is because most people with tonsillitis have effective treatment early enough to prevent quinsy from developing. For every 100,000 people with a sore throat, 96 may develop quinsy.

Quinsy most commonly occurs in teenagers and young adults. In England during 2009-10, over 7,000 people were admitted to hospital with quinsy.