A patient presents with unilateral tonsillar swelling and pyrexia. What is the likely condition?

In a scenario where a patient is presenting with unilateral tonsillar swelling and pyrexia, the most likely condition is a peritonsillar abscess, commonly referred to as "quinsy." This condition typically arises as a complication of tonsillitis, where infection can lead to the formation of an abscess around the tonsil.

Quinsy is characterized by significant unilateral swelling of the tonsil, often accompanied by severe sore throat, difficulty swallowing, and fever due to the infectious process. The unilateral nature of the swelling is a key indicator that supports this diagnosis, as opposed to tonsillitis, which usually presents with bilateral swelling.

While tonsillitis can cause swelling and fever, it often involves both tonsils and demonstrates more generalized symptoms. Pharyngitis primarily affects the pharyngeal area and may not specifically result in the unilateral tonsillar swelling characteristic of a quinsy. Laryngitis typically involves inflammation of the larynx, leading to hoarseness or loss of voice, which does not align with the tonsillary symptoms described.

Therefore, the presentation of unilateral tonsillar swelling in conjunction with pyrexia strongly suggests a peritonsillar abscess, making it more representative of quinsy than the other