How to Treat Peritonsillar Abscess

Peritonsillar abscess is a bacterial infection that can cause pus to appear around the tonsils. Usually this condition occurs due to complications of tonsillitis that are not treated properly. Then how to treat peritonsillar abscess? Come on, see the explanation here, starting from the causes, symptoms and how to treat it.

Peritonsillar abscess can be experienced by children, adolescents, and young adults. This condition can cause pain, swelling, and a blockage in the throat. If the throat is blocked, then activities such as swallowing, speaking, and breathing will be difficult and painful.

Causes of Peritonsillar Abscess

The causes of peritonsillar abscesses are mostly caused by the same bacteria as the bacteria that cause strep throat. The bacteria that most often cause infections in the soft tissue around the tonsils are Streptococci. These bacteria can also spread from infected tonsils to various other tissues or organs of the body.

There are several factors that can increase the risk of peritonsillar abscess, including the following:

• Chronic tonsillitis.
• Tonsil stones.
• Infections of the gums, such as periodontitis and gingivitis.
• Infectious mononucleosis.
• Chronic lymphocytic leukemia.
• Smoking habit.

Symptoms of peritonsillar abscess

There are several symptoms of a peritonsillar abscess to watch out for, including:

• Severe sore throat on one side.
• The ear is painful on the same side as the abscess.
• Swelling of the neck and face, usually on the infected side.
• A lump appears on the neck due to swollen lymph nodes and is painful to the touch.
• The small tissue that hangs down the middle of the throat (Uvula) shifts to the healthy side.
• The jaw (trismus) and neck (torticollis) muscles go into spasm.
• It hurts when you open your mouth and it's hard to swallow.
• Fever and chills.
• Headache.
• Hoarse voice.

Peritonsillar abscess can affect one or both of the tonsils. Generally, this infection often spreads to the area behind the tonsils and then spreads to the neck and chest area. If the swollen tissue blocks the passage for breathing, it can create a life-threatening medical emergency.

In addition, peritonsillar abscess can also rupture in the throat and the contents of the abscess in the form of pus can enter the lungs, causing pneumonia.

How to Cure Peritonsillar Abscess

If you have a peritonsillar abscess, it should be treated immediately by a doctor. Before taking treatment, the doctor will perform a series of examinations. The series of examinations carried out by the doctor include:

• Physical examination, such as mouth, throat, and neck.
• Blood test.
• Examination for support using a CT scan or ultrasound.

For examination CT scan or ultrasound is rarely done because it is a supporting examination. Although it is only a supporting examination, the examination can be carried out if it is needed. After the results of the examination are obtained, how to heal peritonsillar abscess? The doctor will determine the type of treatment. The types of treatment carried out are:

1. Medical treatment

Generally, peritonsillar abscesses are treated by removing the pus through a suction procedure using a needle (aspiration) or making a small incision in the abscess using a scalpel, so that the pus can drain out.

If this method is still not able to overcome the peritonsillar abscess, then the tonsils must be removed with a tonsillectomy procedure. Tonsillectomy is applicable to patients who frequently have tonsillitis or who have had a previous peritonsillar abscess.

2. Taking medicine

Because the patient feels pain and has difficulty swallowing food, the patient will be given fluids and nutrients through an IV. In addition, the doctor will also give painkillers and antibiotics to treat bacterial infections that occur. Take antibiotics as recommended by your doctor. If told to spend, spend it because otherwise it is feared that the infection could reappear and cause bacterial resistance.

How long to treat peritonsillar abscess? Treatment depends on the patient's condition and the severity of the peritonsillar abscess experienced by the patient.

The best way to prevent peritonsillar abscess is to maintain good oral and dental hygiene. If you experience symptoms of a peritonsillar abscess, immediately consult a doctor to get the right treatment, so that you will avoid dangerous complications. Thus an explanation of how to treat a peritonsillar abscess may be useful.