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Warning-sign checks

Peritonsillar abscess: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Go to an emergency department or call emergency services if you:

    • Have difficulty breathing or noisy breathing
    • Cannot swallow your saliva or are drooling continuously
    • Feel faint, confused, or severely unwell
    • Have rapidly increasing throat or neck swelling
    • Develop blue, grey, or unusually pale lips or skin
    • Have severe neck stiffness or swelling spreading down the neck

    Routine follow-up is appropriate when symptoms are steadily improving, you can drink and take medicine, and no emergency features are present.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Arrange an urgent same-day medical assessment if you have severe one-sided throat pain, a muffled voice, difficulty opening your mouth, or increasing difficulty swallowing.

    After treatment, seek urgent reassessment if pain or swelling is worsening, fever persists, you cannot drink, or breathing or swallowing becomes more difficult.

  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    These symptoms can indicate an abscess and should not be managed by waiting for a routine appointment.

    Keep any planned review even if you feel better.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Peritonsillar abscess. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.