Peritonsillar abscess - Causes of quinsy
Quinsy, also known as a peritonsillar abscess, is caused by an infection. Several bacteria can cause quinsy, but the most common are Haemophilus influenzae and streptococcus bacteria, particularly Streptococcus pyogenes.
It's not clear why the infection that leads to quinsy occurs, but it's a rare complication of a sore throat that mainly affects teenagers and young adults.
There is a low risk of quinsy developing after a sore throat, with or without treatment with antibiotics. Taking antibiotics to treat tonsillitis does not significantly reduce the risk of developing quinsy.
Weber glands
One theory about the causes of quinsy involves the Weber glands. The Weber glands produce secretions and are located just above the tonsils. They clear debris, such as dead tissue, from the tonsils and surrounding area.
If the Weber glands malfunction and cannot clear the build-up of debris from the area around the tonsils, tubes that drain the glands may become swollen. This can cause an infection to develop, which gets worse and causes an abscess to form.
Risk factors
Factors that may increase your risk of developing quinsy after having a sore throat include:
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