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Original poster

Has anyone ever had a quinsy? **MNHQ adding content warning for sore-looking photo**

3 replies

Lucyjane200698 · 13/04/2023 06:18

Hey.

I know you guys aren't doctors but I thought I'd post before contacting my GP again this morning in the hope that perhaps someone has been in a similar situation.

I sent a photo in to my GP on Tuesday as I knew I had (what looked like) tonsillitis. All was well and was prescribed Pen V for 5 days. Yesterday I woke up feeling so much worse than I did the day before and again today. One tonsil feels absolutely huge in comparison to the other and they are more 'pus filled' and bulging than they were before I started antibiotics on Tuesday. The side on which my tonsil feels larger - I have pain radiating to my ear. I'm really struggling to swallow anything (even my own saliva hurts!!)

Im so worried that it could be a quinsy, I'm 12 weeks pregnant and my GP doesn't open until 8am. I will attach a picture of what my tonsils look like today. I'm just wondering if you ever have had quinsy and if it looks similar to it. Sorry for the TMI.

I have more pain in the right tonsil (left side of photo).

OP posts:
Upallnightfeeding · 13/04/2023 06:41

Hello, I had one a few years back. From what I can remember It was not pleasant. Call 111 and ask. I got sent to the hospital and they drained it with a large needle (scary but needed) and it immediately felt better! They sorted me out with fluids, antibiotics etc. It felt silly at the time but I was a mess and needed it. It’s funny now to tell the story, I had ‘hot potato’ tongue as everything had swollen up and couldn’t speak on the phone! Hope you are better soon!

Highflow · 13/04/2023 06:50

I have had a quinsey. I couldn’t swallow my own saliva, let alone antibiotics, or even water. I had to lay down with a towel under my mouth to collect the dribble!! So painful, awful time.
I phoned 111 and they told me to go straight to a&e where they triaged me and sent me to the ENT unit. I had it drained with a needle and was put on IV fluids/antibiotics/steroids. Was in hospital for 2 days.
Typical symptoms are ‘hot potato’ speech (sounding like you’re speaking without moving tounge) and unable to swallow saliva.
I’d get to a&e or urgent care (if located inside a hospital) if I were you.
Hope you get some relief soon x

UseOfWeapons · 13/04/2023 06:55

Highflow · 13/04/2023 06:50

I have had a quinsey. I couldn’t swallow my own saliva, let alone antibiotics, or even water. I had to lay down with a towel under my mouth to collect the dribble!! So painful, awful time.
I phoned 111 and they told me to go straight to a&e where they triaged me and sent me to the ENT unit. I had it drained with a needle and was put on IV fluids/antibiotics/steroids. Was in hospital for 2 days.
Typical symptoms are ‘hot potato’ speech (sounding like you’re speaking without moving tounge) and unable to swallow saliva.
I’d get to a&e or urgent care (if located inside a hospital) if I were you.
Hope you get some relief soon x

Definitely this. I used to be an ENT nurse, and we’d have patients stay in hospital with us for a couple of days on IV antibiotics, fluids and painkillers, as the the above post quite correctly states.
please call 111 and get yourself in to Urgent Care, if you’re struggling to swallow your saliva.

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