Peritonsillar Cellulitis

Peritonsillar Cellulitis

Peritonsillar cellulitis is an infection of the tissue around a tonsil that results in a severe sore throat.

This infection can be treated with antibiotic medicine.

If it is not treated, a collection of pus can form in the throat (peritonsillar abscess), which may require drainage.

What causes Peritonsillar Cellulitis?

This condition usually occurs following acute tonsillitis.  Infectious mononucleosis can also result in abscess formation. Rarely, it may occur de novo without any prior history of a sore throat.

Smoking and chronic periodontal disease could also cause this condition.

Peritonsillar Cellulitis is usually caused by a combination of several types of bacteria. You may get infected by:

• Breathing in droplets from an infected person’s cough or sneeze.
• Touching something that has been exposed to the bacteria (has been contaminated) and then touching your mouth, nose, or eyes.

What increases the risk?

Peritonsillar Cellulitis is more likely to develop in people who:

• Have frequent tonsil infections.
• Have gum disease or a dental infection.
• Smoke.

What are the symptoms of Peritonsillar Cellulitis?

Early symptoms of of this condition include:

• Fever and chills.
• Soreness on one side of the throat.
• Pain in one ear.
• Pain when swallowing.
• Tiredness.

As the infection gets worse, symptoms may include:

• Severe pain when swallowing.
• Drooling.
• Trouble opening the mouth wide.
• Bad breath.
• Changes in how the voice sounds, such as hoarseness.

How is this diagnosed?

This condition may be diagnosed based on:

• Your symptoms.
• A physical exam.
• Testing a fluid sample from your throat (throat culture). This helps determine which types of bacteria are causing your infection.
• A blood test.

How is this treated?

This condition is usually treated with antibiotic medicines. You may need to take these medicines by mouth or through an IV at the hospital. Treatment may also include:

• Medicines for pain, fever, or swelling. Some of these medicines may be given through an IV.
• Draining a peritonsillar abscess, if you have one. Your health care provider may drain the abscess by using a needle or by making an incision in the abscess.
• Surgery to remove the tonsils (tonsillectomy). This may be done if you get peritonsillar cellulitis often.

Follow these instructions at home:

Eating and drinking

• If it is difficult or painful to swallow, try only drinking liquids or only eating soft foods until you feel better.
• Drink enough fluid to keep your urine pale yellow.

Medicines

• If you were prescribed an antibiotic to take at home, take it as told by your health care provider. Do not stop taking the antibiotic even if you start to feel better.
• Take other over-the-counter and prescription medicines only as told by your health care provider. Your health care provider may recommend taking over-the-counter medicines to relieve pain, a fever, or swelling.

Activity

• Rest and get plenty of sleep.
• Return to your normal activities, including school or work, as told by your health care provider.

General instructions

• Do not use any products that contain nicotine or tobacco, such as cigarettes and e-cigarettes. If you need help quitting, ask your health care provider.
• To help ease pain and swelling, gargle with a salt-water mixture 3–4 times a day or as needed. To make a salt-water mixture, completely dissolve ½–1 tsp of salt in 1 cup of warm water.
• Keep all follow-up visits as told by your health care provider. This is important.

Contact a health care provider if:

• You have pain or swelling that gets worse.
• You develop difficulty swallowing.
• You have a fever that does not improve after you take medicine.
• Your voice changes.
• You see pus around or near your tonsils. This may look like yellowish-white fluid.

Get help right away if:

• You have trouble breathing.
• You have severe pain.
• You cough up bloody spit.
• You are unable to swallow.
• You cannot stop drooling.

Summary

• Peritonsillar cellulitis is an infection of the tissue around a tonsil that results in a severe sore throat. This is treated with antibiotics. If the condition is not treated, a collection of pus can form in the throat (peritonsillar abscess), which may need to be drained.
• This condition is usually treated with antibiotic medicines. You may need to take these medicines by mouth or through an IV at the hospital.
• Rest and get plenty of sleep. Return to your normal activities as told by your health care provider.