Surgical drainage of the abscess and high-dose intravenous antibiotics are used to treat the infection. The airway needs to be protected from becoming completely blocked by the swelling.
Expectations (prognosis):
Full recovery is expected following prompt treatment.
Call your health care provider if you develop a high fever with severe throat pain. Breathing difficulty, intercostal retractions, and stridor indicate that an emergency situation is developing!
Review Date: 4/11/2005
Reviewed By: Kevin Fung, MD, FRCS(C), Department of Otolaryngology, Division of Head and Neck Oncology and Reconstructive Surgery, University of Western Ontario, London, Ontario, Canada. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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