MSD Manual

Please confirm that you are not located inside the Russian Federation

honeypot link

Tonsillar Cellulitis and Tonsillar Abscess

By

Alan G. Cheng

, MD, Stanford University

Reviewed/Revised Feb 2024
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
GET THE QUICK FACTS
Topic Resources

Tonsillar cellulitis is a bacterial infection of the tissues around the tonsils. A tonsillar abscess is a collection of pus behind the tonsils.

  • Sometimes, bacteria that infect the throat spread deep into surrounding tissues.

  • Typical symptoms include sore throat, pain when swallowing, fever, swelling, and redness.

  • The diagnosis is based on examination of the throat and sometimes the results of imaging studies.

  • Antibiotics help eliminate the infection.

  • An abscess is drained with a needle or through a small incision.

Sometimes, bacteria (usually streptococci and staphylococci) that infect the throat can spread deeper into the surrounding tissues. This condition is called cellulitis Cellulitis Cellulitis is a spreading bacterial infection of the skin and the tissues immediately beneath the skin. This infection is most often caused by streptococci or staphylococci. Redness, pain, and... read more Cellulitis .

If the bacteria grow unchecked, a collection of pus (abscess) may form. Abscesses may form next to the tonsils (peritonsillar) or in the side of the throat (parapharyngeal). Typically, a peritonsillar abscess bulges into the throat whereas a parapharyngeal abscess may protrude into the neck. A parapharyngeal abscess is more extensive and more dangerous than a peritonsillar abscess.

Tonsillar cellulitis and tonsillar abscesses are most common among adolescents and young adults.

Symptoms of Tonsillar Cellulitis and Abscess

With tonsillar cellulitis or a tonsillar abscess, swallowing causes severe pain that often radiates into the ear. People have a severe sore throat, feel ill, have a fever, and may tilt their head toward the side of the abscess to help relieve pain. Spasms of the chewing muscles make opening the mouth difficult (trismus).

Cellulitis causes general redness and swelling above the tonsil and on the soft palate.

Peritonsillar abscesses and some parapharyngeal abscesses push the tonsils forward. The uvula (the small, soft projection that hangs down at the back of the throat) is swollen and can be pushed to the side opposite the abscess. Other common symptoms include a "hot potato" voice (speaking as if a hot object is in the mouth), drooling, redness of the tonsils, white patches (exudates), swollen lymph nodes in the neck, and severe bad breath (halitosis).

Diagnosis of Tonsillar Cellulitis and Abscess

  • A doctor's evaluation

  • Sometimes computed tomography or ultrasonography

  • Sometimes insertion of a needle to check for an abscess

Peritonsillar abscess and often cellulitis are diagnosed in people who have a severe sore throat plus any of the following:

  • Difficulty opening their mouth (trismus)

  • "Hot potato" voice

  • A uvula that is pushed to one side (particularly in people with an abscess)

If a peritonsillar abscess is suspected, ultrasonography may be done to identify the abscess. The doctor may insert a needle into the area and try to remove the infected material or pus.

Samples of the infected material or pus are cultured (sent to the laboratory to try to grow bacteria) to identify the bacteria causing the infection.

Other tests are not usually done, but if the doctor is not sure whether a parapharyngeal abscess is present, computed tomography (CT) or ultrasonography can be used to identify one.

Treatment of Tonsillar Cellulitis and Abscess

  • Antibiotics

  • Drainage of pus

  • Sometimes tonsillectomy

Tonsillar cellulitis or tonsillar abscess is treated with fluids and antibiotics, such as penicillin or clindamycin, given by vein or by mouth. Antibiotics may be changed based on results of the culture. Antibiotics are then continued for 10 days.

If no abscess is present, the antibiotic usually starts to clear the infection within 48 hours.

If a peritonsillar abscess is present, a doctor must insert a needle in it or cut into it to drain the pus. The area is first numbed with an anesthetic spray or injection. Ultrasonography can help locate the abscess and thus determine where to insert a needle. Treatment with antibiotics is continued by mouth or by vein. Although most people can be treated as outpatients, some are hospitalized briefly to give antibiotics by vein and to monitor breathing.

Peritonsillar abscesses tend to recur. Recurrences can be prevented by removing the tonsils (tonsillectomy Tonsillectomy Infections of the throat and/or tonsils are common, particularly among children. Throat infections are usually caused by a virus but may be caused by bacteria such as streptococcal bacteria... read more Tonsillectomy ), which is usually performed 4 to 6 weeks after the infection has subsided or earlier if the infection is not controlled with antibiotics. Rarely, tonsillectomy is done immediately—for example, when the person is young and has often had tonsillitis or has obstructive sleep apnea Obstructive sleep apnea Sleep apnea is a serious disorder in which breathing repeatedly stops long enough to disrupt sleep and often temporarily decrease the amount of oxygen and increase the amount of carbon dioxide... read more Obstructive sleep apnea .

If a parapharyngeal abscess is present, surgery is usually done to drain pus.

NOTE: This is the Consumer Version. DOCTORS: VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
VIEW PROFESSIONAL VERSION
quiz link

Test your knowledge

Take a Quiz! 
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
iOS ANDROID
TOP