You or your child has a collection of pus (abscess) around the tonsils. This abscess can cause severe sore throat, pain with swallowing, fever, drooling, and trouble opening the mouth.
The abscess is treated with antibiotics. These may be started using an I.V. (intravenous line), then continued by mouth. In most cases, the pus will also be drained. If you have a history of many abscesses or episodes of tonsillitis, your tonsils may be removed.
Home care
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If your doctor prescribed antibiotics, take them as directed. Do not stop taking them just because you feel better. You need to take the full course of antibiotics.
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Take pain medicines as directed. Don't take any over-the-counter medicine for this condition without talking with your doctor, especially the first time.
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To help ease pain, children older than 6 years and adults can gargle with warm saltwater 4 times a day for the first 2 days. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) of salt in 1 glass of warm water. Gargle with the solution then spit it out. (Check that children don't swallow the saltwater.)
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Cool liquids and soft foods may make eating easier for the first few days.
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Don’t smoke, and stay away from secondhand smoke.
Follow-up care
Follow up with a doctor or as advised within 1 to 2 days.
When to contact your doctor
Contact the doctor right away if:
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You have a fever of 100.4°F (38ºC) or higher after 3 days of treatment.
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The symptoms get worse.
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The symptoms go away and come back.
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You have neck stiffness.
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There's a small amount of bleeding from the throat.
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You have a rash.
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You have swelling or bumps in the neck.
Call 911
Call
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You have trouble breathing, noisy breathing, or a muffled voice.
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You are drooling.
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You have trouble swallowing, choking, or other symptoms that may mean swelling in the throat is getting worse.
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You are bleeding more than a small amount from the throat.
