Complications of tonsillitis?

Sometimes oral antibiotics are insufficient to treat the infection and it may be necessary to be admitted to hospital for intravenous antibiotics steroids, pain killers and fluids. This is usually effective and patients respond quickly and are discharged within a couple of days.

Peritonsillar and deep neck abscess

Sometimes the infection in the tonsils can spread to a space behind the tonsil. This pushes the tonsil towards the midline.

This can be very painful and patients may have trouble even drinking and opening their mouths. Hospital admission with intravenous antibiotics is necessary and sometimes the abscess needs to be drained.