Whether he actually had wooden teeth is debatable, however it's widely believed that George Washington died from peritonsillar abscess complications.
Also referred to as PTA or quinsy, the condition is most often a complication of tonsillitis and occurs when an abscess forms next to one of the tonsils.
The swollen abscess can cause the uvula, the soft tissue dangling from the back of the palate in the back of the mouth, to become displaced.
If the infection is left untreated, it can spread deeper into the neck causing airway obstruction and life threatening complications.
While tonsillitis occurs more often in young children, a peritonsillar abscess is more prevalent in older kids and adults.
It often results from the bacteria that cause strep throat, and symptoms can appear 2-8 days before the abscess forms.
As the abscess develops, you may notice any or all of these symptoms: -A sore throat - can be severe and is usually the first symptom to appear -Swelling of the tonsils - including, swelling that extends to the roof of the mouth, neck and even parts of the face -Difficulty swallowing - as well as, pain and difficulty opening the mouth -Chills and a fever -Headache and facial or ear pain -Hot potato voice - changes in speech that distorts vowels, making it sound as if you're talking with a mouthful of hot mashed potatoes A peritonsillar abscess is diagnosed based on a physical exam of the throat, mouth and neck, and can also include a throat swab to identify the type of bacteria causing the infection.
If an abscess exists, the medical providers primary concern will be breathing and any airway obstruction caused by the abscess.
Treatment includes antibiotics to treat the infection, as well as draining the abscess with a needle or by making a small incision in the abscess and suctioning out the fluid.
If the tonsils continue to become infected or a peritonsillar abscess keeps coming back, a doctor may need to surgically remove the tonsils by performing a tonsillectomy.
Following treatment for a peritonsillar abscess, symptoms usually disappear within one week.
People with the following risk factors are more prone to developing a peritonsillar abscess: -Dental infections -Infectious mononucleosis -Smoking -Chronic tonsillitis
Also referred to as PTA or quinsy, the condition is most often a complication of tonsillitis and occurs when an abscess forms next to one of the tonsils.
The swollen abscess can cause the uvula, the soft tissue dangling from the back of the palate in the back of the mouth, to become displaced.
If the infection is left untreated, it can spread deeper into the neck causing airway obstruction and life threatening complications.
While tonsillitis occurs more often in young children, a peritonsillar abscess is more prevalent in older kids and adults.
It often results from the bacteria that cause strep throat, and symptoms can appear 2-8 days before the abscess forms.
As the abscess develops, you may notice any or all of these symptoms: -A sore throat - can be severe and is usually the first symptom to appear -Swelling of the tonsils - including, swelling that extends to the roof of the mouth, neck and even parts of the face -Difficulty swallowing - as well as, pain and difficulty opening the mouth -Chills and a fever -Headache and facial or ear pain -Hot potato voice - changes in speech that distorts vowels, making it sound as if you're talking with a mouthful of hot mashed potatoes A peritonsillar abscess is diagnosed based on a physical exam of the throat, mouth and neck, and can also include a throat swab to identify the type of bacteria causing the infection.
If an abscess exists, the medical providers primary concern will be breathing and any airway obstruction caused by the abscess.
Treatment includes antibiotics to treat the infection, as well as draining the abscess with a needle or by making a small incision in the abscess and suctioning out the fluid.
If the tonsils continue to become infected or a peritonsillar abscess keeps coming back, a doctor may need to surgically remove the tonsils by performing a tonsillectomy.
Following treatment for a peritonsillar abscess, symptoms usually disappear within one week.
People with the following risk factors are more prone to developing a peritonsillar abscess: -Dental infections -Infectious mononucleosis -Smoking -Chronic tonsillitis
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