Does this look like quinsy?

[Spikyduck]

I started with tonsillitis 5 days ago, have had antibiotics for 4 days now. White spots have gone and I now have this weird lump behind my tonsil. Sore throat is just as painful, have earache on that side and painful swollen glands. Struggling to eat and drink. My GP surgery is notoriously difficult though so trying to avoid the rigmarole of calling them in the morning!

Yes, enough that I want it looked at. Especially as your throat is still so sore despite the visible infection having cleared up. Poor thing OP. Hope you’re on the mend soon. Tonsillitis is miserable enough.

Yes, the deviated uvula is a concern also. Please do get seen, even if its a nightmare getting through. Hopefully you're feeling better soon.

Yeah that needs looked at.

Mm @MontyNojangles is right, deviated uvula is a classic quinsy sign. Tbh I think I’d just be heading to A&E, as horrendous the idea of the wait will be – I think a GP or 111 would only send you there anyway.

NHS advice suggests going to A&E :

Complications of tonsillitis (quinsy)
Complications of tonsillitis are very rare.

Sometimes you can get an area filled with pus (abscess) between your tonsils and the wall of your throat. This is called quinsy.

Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:
you have a severe sore throat that quickly gets worse
you have swelling inside the mouth and throat
you have difficulty speaking
you cannot swallow
you have difficulty breathing
you have difficulty opening your mouth
These are signs of quinsy.

You need to be seen urgently op. My ds had quinsy a few years ago, a&e was super busy but he was seen very quickly and given antibiotics and steroids straightaway.
He recovered quickly once treatment started, hopefully it will be the same for you too op

Yes, looks like quinsy. When I had tonsillitis and the GP prescribed antibiotics, he warned me about quinsy and said straight to A&E as they weren't equipped to deal with it at the GP. Low and behold, there I was by the evening.
What I would say, do not delay it. I faffed about whether to go to A&E and then on the way there it had burst and I ended up with a secondary chest infection as a result which took weeks to recover from.

Go to A&E immediately. I didn't, still thinking it was terrible tonsillitis - until the quinsy burst and I was hospitalised for sepsis. I was very, very lucky OP. This is not one for the GP.

I wouldn't hang around with this OP.

My dd had a terrible case. Also post tonsilitis. She had white blisters all over her throat.

She was admitted and in hospital for 4 or 5 days.

There is a risk of the airway being blocked. I wouldn't wait until tomorrow.

I had quinsy. It was absolutely excruciating at the end. Worse than childbirth. And it didn't get better until the quinsy burst in my throat. Reading the posts above I realise now I was very lucky that I must have swallowed the pus into my stomach and didn't get sepsis or anything worse. But the pain really was unbearable at the end. I was pacing round my kitchen like a caged tiger (and like an idiot didn't get help, but it was before 111).

You could phone 111 if you don't want to just go straight to A&E - they are likely to triage it v quickly - and will tell you to go to A&E or give you a doctor callback v soon.

Get yourself seen

Do you have a “hot potato” voice? Like you’ve eaten a hot potato and can’t get words out properly? I had quinsy years ago, usual GP didn’t recognise it, 111 laughed at me (I tried to explain I couldn’t drink but was struggling to speak so much they said “you can’t BLINK??” in a very sneery and dismissive tone); A&E didn’t investigate properly.

It was an older doctor at the local OOO centre I ended up at in desperation who took one look, diagnosed it, referred me back to A&E for instant appointment. The registrar I saw then was brilliant, drained it and then admitted me for a night on IV antibiotics. He was furious when he discovered I’d been in the same A&E a few hours earlier and sent home!

It was so difficult to speak that I had trouble advocating for myself so do take someone with you if you can.

i kept getting reoccurring quinsy and ended up in A&E as it was blocking my airway. I couldn’t even swallow my own saliva. The doctor drained it, and I had iv antibiotics and kept in for a couple of days. I then had to have my tonsils removed a few months later. Get yourself to A&E. Good luck OP.

Yes. I had it. Looks very similar. Go to a&e. I ended up very ill

My GP sent me to A&E for quinsy. You are allowed to use A&E you know. I have had quinsy several times now and it definitely qualifies as requiring A&E.

@Spikyduck - just wondering if you're doing okay OP? Did you get to A&E or your GP and get it checked out again?

Thank you for all the replies. I went to my GP and it wasn’t quinsy. He didn’t really seem to know what it is though! Said it was most likely to be infection from the tonsillitis and could take a while to clear. I still have one day left of antibiotics but I’m feeling much better now!

Really glad to hear you are feeling much better and it is not quinsy - that's definitely a relief! 😄

The first time I had it, I was mis diagnosed and it came back stronger after antibiotics. if the GP isn't sure I would still be watchful. The second GP I saw was furious that it had been missed! I ended up in hospital. Take care x

I would keep an eye on it, even after seeing the GP. Quinsy is something more studied in medical textbooks now than seen in real life, so it could be missed especially if it is unilateral quinsy.

I learnt this the hard way when I ended up being hospitalised with it in my early 20’s, after it was missed by a GP for the exact reason above. The doctors at the hospital were very excited to see a real life case. I was rather less enthused!

Hi I'm glad you were seen by a doctor
After having throat troubles, my child too. I would have said this isn't quinsy but worth checking out.
My child's throat was nearly closed before, one complete swelling over one side, uvula pushed completely over and big swelling on the other. They concluded severe Tonsilitis, was hospitalised on a drip with fluids/antibiotics for 5 days so it doesn't mean it isn't serious.

I really hope youre better soon, it's bloody awful.