This protocol covers peritonsillar abscess in patients where there is clinical concern for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) as a causative or contributing organism. The presence of MRSA concern directly shapes both the choice of intravenous antibiotic therapy and the oral step-down strategy.
The approach involves abscess drainage together with intravenous antibiotic therapy selected for MRSA coverage, IV fluid rehydration, and adjunctive supportive measures. Once clinical criteria are met, a step-down to oral antibiotic therapy completes the full treatment course. The complete regimen, drug selection, sequencing, and criteria for step-down are detailed in the full protocol.