Qunicy & strep throat

[emmay35]

Are they the same thing?

[Octavius]

Peritonsillar abscess, also called PTA or Quinsy, is a recognised complication of tonsillitis and consists of a collection of pus beside the tonsil (peritonsillar space). Basically an absess. It causes great pain, fever, malaise and is associated with tender, swollen lymph nodes.

Sore throat is a common complaint. It is most usually caused by a viral infection, but occasionally by a bacteria called streptococcus, so called 'strep throat'. Strep throat (or "Streptococcal pharyngitis", or "Streptococcal sore throat") is a form of Group A streptococcal infection that affects the pharynx. The signs and symptoms of strep throat are red, sore throat with white patches on tonsils, swollen lymph nodes in neck, fever, and headache. Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain are more common in children. The patient will usually not have a cough, unlike in a viral infection or coldlike symptoms including stuffy noses and sneezing.

I believe Quinsy is the more serious of the two and may need antibiotic treatment.

[JudgeJ]

Strep throat is caused by a particular bacterium but the symptoms are similar to those of a number of other minor ailments in that area, i.e. a sore throat and sometimes white pussy spots on the tonsils (if they are still present).

Quinsy (or sometimes “quinsies”) must not be confused with Quincy, the San Francisco (or was it Los Angeles?) Police Medical examiner played by Jack Klugman in the 1970s TV series!

Quinsy is a particularly nasty throat infection, related to the tonsils. Its proper term is peritonsillar abscess. It occurs mainly in adults, can be extremely painful, making swallowing difficult and associated with feeling very ill with a fever and swollen glands in the neck. People with quinsy need medical attention as a matter of urgency.

The treatment for a quinsy is nearly always by surgical incision under local or general anaesthetic. I developed quinsy following a bout of Tonsillitis when I was 21 (a number of years ago now!). I had difficulty in breathing because my tonsils became so swollen (in just a few hours) that they almost blocked my airways. I was taken to A&E where the throat surgeon relieved the swelling by making an incision in the abscess, there and then (no anaesthetic – there was not enough time). It sounds horrendous, but I was in such pain that a little bit more made no real difference – and in any case his action almost certainly saved my life.

I spent three days in hospital being re-hydrated, etc., and had to have my tonsils removed about three months later (not a pleasant experience when you get beyond childhood).

Fortunately quinsy is, I believe, extremely rare these days. But, if my experience is anything to go by, you know when you've got it!

[emmay35]

Great info from you both, thanks. Thanks also JudgeJ for pointing out my spelling mistake! Don't you just hate it when that happens!!