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
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services if you or someone with you has:
Difficulty breathing or noisy breathing
Inability to swallow saliva or continuous drooling
Rapidly increasing mouth, throat, jaw, or neck swelling
Blue, grey, or unusually pale lips or skin
Fainting, severe drowsiness, or confusion
Heavy bleeding from the mouth or throat
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
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
A suspected pharyngomaxillary space abscess needs urgent medical assessment.
Do not wait for a routine appointment if you have severe one-sided throat or neck pain together with fever, trouble swallowing, jaw stiffness, or neck swelling.
After treatment, seek urgent advice if fever, swelling, swallowing difficulty, or worsening pain returns.
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Mild soreness that is steadily improving can usually be discussed at planned follow-up.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Pharyngomaxillary space abscess. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.