Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
General health

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Anyone had quinsy? Is this it? (Warning: Picture attached)

35 replies

Quinsylosy · 05/12/2023 19:23

I had tonsillitis for a week, starting 2 weeks ago. A week of ABs and I only started feeling better about 5 days in to them. Then I finished and developed a horrible cough and sore throat came back. In the past 3 days my tonsils have become progressively more swollen. I saw a pharmacist yesterday at the request of my dr who said no ABs needed and to let it heal.

But I woke up in the night in a lot of pain, tonsils more swollen on one side, ear pain, neck pain, very muffled voice. But no pus on tonsils, I can open my mouth fine, can eat and drink with discomfort but basically ok. I’m warm but not feverish.

I know no one here can tell me for sure, but based on experiences of quinsy, does this look / sound like early quinsy or likely to be viral? I will see my dr again tomorrow if I still feel rough.

OP posts:
Original poster
Quinsylosy · 05/12/2023 19:24

Pic

OP posts:
Original poster
Quinsylosy · 05/12/2023 20:58

Anyone?

OP posts:
PremiumRaa · 05/12/2023 21:03

Yes I think you need to be seen ASAP I'd be seriously worried about how swollen they are - can you still eat and drink?

Roseandrose20 · 05/12/2023 21:03

I’m not sure from your photo but I’ve had quinsey after finishing ABs for tonsillitis and went back to the doctor who said she couldn’t see anything either, 2 days later my voice was muffled, was in so so much pain, couldn’t open my mouth without pain and also my jaw swelled on one side. It sounds like you might be going that way, I would def try and see the doctor tomorrow

Clinicalscientistinnit · 05/12/2023 21:05

They do sound like quinsy symptoms and I think the tonsil on the left (in the picture, so possibly your right?) looks a lot more swollen. It’s a classic if uncommon complication of tonsillitis. I’d go to A&E.

Anyone had quinsy? Is this it? (Warning: Picture attached)
HamHand · 05/12/2023 21:12

Definitely get seen asap. I used to get bouts of horrific tonsillitis, I woke up one day about 15 years ago unable to swallow as my tonsils were so swollen, I couldn’t even talk, I called 999 and thankfully they could see where I was and came straight to me. It was treated as a quinsy and I had to have a needle put into my throat which wasn’t pleasant, but turned out to just be a really bad case of tonsillitis. I was in hospital for 3 days and it was what finally got them to agree to take my tonsils out after years of recurrent bouts. Please don’t wait, they spelled out to me just how dangerous it could be. Wishing you a speedy recovery x

Choconuttolata · 05/12/2023 21:15

A quinsy is a peritonsillar abscess. If you look it up you will see pics to compare it to. Normally your uvula would be deviated to one side.

Anyone had quinsy? Is this it? (Warning: Picture attached)
Original poster
Quinsylosy · 05/12/2023 21:18

PremiumRaa · 05/12/2023 21:03

Yes I think you need to be seen ASAP I'd be seriously worried about how swollen they are - can you still eat and drink?

Yes I can still eat and drink ok, if painful

OP posts:
WineNoMore20 · 05/12/2023 21:18

I’m on day 3 recovery after a Quinsy - I was in hospital on Iv antibiotics on Saturday- it’s the 3rd one I’ve had in 10 years.
The very high temp and excruciating pain made me take myself in- glad I did.
you definitely should speak to out of hours and get seen.

Original poster
Quinsylosy · 05/12/2023 21:18

Roseandrose20 · 05/12/2023 21:03

I’m not sure from your photo but I’ve had quinsey after finishing ABs for tonsillitis and went back to the doctor who said she couldn’t see anything either, 2 days later my voice was muffled, was in so so much pain, couldn’t open my mouth without pain and also my jaw swelled on one side. It sounds like you might be going that way, I would def try and see the doctor tomorrow

Thank you, I’ve made an appt to see the dr tomorrow

OP posts:
Original poster
Quinsylosy · 05/12/2023 21:19

Clinicalscientistinnit · 05/12/2023 21:05

They do sound like quinsy symptoms and I think the tonsil on the left (in the picture, so possibly your right?) looks a lot more swollen. It’s a classic if uncommon complication of tonsillitis. I’d go to A&E.

Thankfully I don’t have any of those symptoms, I can breathe etc just fine so I think the dr in the morning instead of A&E tonight would be ok. I don’t have a temp either

OP posts:
Original poster
Quinsylosy · 05/12/2023 21:20

WineNoMore20 · 05/12/2023 21:18

I’m on day 3 recovery after a Quinsy - I was in hospital on Iv antibiotics on Saturday- it’s the 3rd one I’ve had in 10 years.
The very high temp and excruciating pain made me take myself in- glad I did.
you definitely should speak to out of hours and get seen.

You poor thing, that sounds so rough!

OP posts:
Original poster
Quinsylosy · 05/12/2023 21:20

HamHand · 05/12/2023 21:12

Definitely get seen asap. I used to get bouts of horrific tonsillitis, I woke up one day about 15 years ago unable to swallow as my tonsils were so swollen, I couldn’t even talk, I called 999 and thankfully they could see where I was and came straight to me. It was treated as a quinsy and I had to have a needle put into my throat which wasn’t pleasant, but turned out to just be a really bad case of tonsillitis. I was in hospital for 3 days and it was what finally got them to agree to take my tonsils out after years of recurrent bouts. Please don’t wait, they spelled out to me just how dangerous it could be. Wishing you a speedy recovery x

I’d love to have my tonsils taken out, I get tonsillitis every year without fail

OP posts:
Maddy70 · 05/12/2023 21:34

I was hospitalised with quicey. Go and aeak medi all attention. Catch it sooner rather than later

Clinicalscientistinnit · 05/12/2023 21:51

I’d say muffled voice counts as difficulty speaking, and you did spent last night in more severe pain. Have a very low threshold for going downhill OP, and if this gets any worse then get to A&E.

Original poster
Quinsylosy · 05/12/2023 21:52

Clinicalscientistinnit · 05/12/2023 21:51

I’d say muffled voice counts as difficulty speaking, and you did spent last night in more severe pain. Have a very low threshold for going downhill OP, and if this gets any worse then get to A&E.

Thank you, I will

OP posts:
Original poster
Quinsylosy · 06/12/2023 07:28

tonsils swollen more this morn so seeing the dr in a bit 👌

OP posts:
Thequeenofwishfulthinking · 06/12/2023 07:34

Ive had quinsy several times. I don’t think it looks like it, more like a general throat virus like tonsillitis with one side affected more than the other,. Glad you’re getting seen but be prepared for them to tell you it’s viral. I hope it’s not quinsy.

oldcrinkle · 06/12/2023 08:06

I've had them twice then they whipped out my tonsils.

First time doctors didn't take me seriously and I nearly died because I couldn't eat or drink and if it had burst...

A&E straight away OP.

oldcrinkle · 06/12/2023 08:07

As for the voice thing, I was talking like someone who had never heard words before.

Original poster
Quinsylosy · 06/12/2023 14:07

Saw dr who has sent me to A&E, so I am here now. The waiting room is a hideous place!

OP posts:
uncomfortablydumb53 · 06/12/2023 14:25

You're definitely in the right place Even if it's not quite quinsy yet, it can rapidly get worse
My son had what he thought was severe tonsillitis and before he could finish the antibiotics his airways became occluded and he was sort of snoring whilst awake
3 days on IV Antibiotics in hospital and he was fine

OutOfSyncWithReality · 06/12/2023 14:27

Hope you get seen soon OP. I've had quinsy and it was awful. I was so ill.

ElleDeeCB · 06/12/2023 14:33

When I had quinsy (only once thank goodness) I was sent by the GP straight to A&E - they had to use a needle in my throat to drain it…. But oh my goodness the relief was immediate! Suddenly I could talk, eat and not drool because swallowing had been so painful. If I’d known I’d have been tempted to stick a needle in myself (don’t do this!). Anyway, just saying that the good thing is the treatment can help straightaway and if it’s quinsy you should be feeling much better very soon.

FloofCloud · 06/12/2023 14:51

Good luck - better check than risk IMO, I hope it's something that passes very quickly

Swipe left for the next trending thread