Peritonsillar abscess occurs when pus collects around the tonsils. This pus forms within the tissues and then collects there instead of draining. A peritonsillar abscess can be caused by many different things, but most often as a result of some type of infection such as strep throat. Peritonsillar abscesses can be quite painful.
They can also make it difficult to swallow. If you are experiencing a peritonsillar abscess it is important to go to your doctor right away. You need to take some antibiotics in order to help your body fight off the infection. In addition, if the abscess is not draining, your doctor may use a needle to drain the abscess and provide you with some relief from the pain. There are several things that you should do when it comes to caring for a peritonsillar abscess. Here are some simple things that you can do to care for the infection and ease the pain.
1. Antibiotics
If you are diagnosed with a peritonsillar abscess, your doctor is likely going to prescribe an antibiotic for you to take. Depending on how severe the infection is will determine the type of antibiotic that you are provided. Antibiotics are extremely effective at fighting off the bacteria that are causing the infection.
This type of medication has been designed to provide your immune system with the help that it needs to fight off the infection so that you begin to feel better at a much faster rate. In order for antibiotics to be effective, it is very important to make sure that you take them exactly as prescribed. Typically, antibiotics are taken anywhere from one to four times each day. It is also very important to make sure that you take all of the antibiotics that you are prescribed. It can be easy to stop taking the medication when you start to feel better, but when you stop taking the antibiotics you are increasing your chances of having a relapse.