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What Causes Swelling In Jaw While Treating Viral Infection?

Posted on Tue, 19 Jan 2016

Question: I am a 59-yr-old woman who is under doctor's care. I have been fighting a viral inflection since Thanksgiving, with 2 courses of antibiotics and 7 days of 20mg of prednisone already completed. I daily use Flonase spray. The laryngitis continues and coughing is controlled. However, this morning I woke up with significant swelling on the left side of my jaw--a lumpy, swollen area that is alarming but not painful. Today is Saturday with no available Doctor office hours. Should I be alarmed or seek ER treatment?

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Nothing to be alarmed;recommend to go to ER evaluation&treatment....

Detailed Answer:
Hi my dear,

I have gone through your medical history and am sorry for the situation you are in.

I have also gone through the photo you provided and I admit, I was not able to see the swelling in details. There are many factors for this, including :
- infected/inflammed jaw lymph-nodes
- bad teeth
- oral infection
most probably precipitated by viral infection.

Although you do not feel any pain, if I was your caring doctor would advise to go to ER for immediate evaluation and proper treatment.
You are also reporting to be going through acute osteoarthritis and narcolepsy for which you are taking lots of meds. Here I need to stop as I want to know the names of meds you taking to exclude interactions.

Hope it answered to your query!
Dr.Albana

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (13 minutes later)

Significant list of meds: For arthritis Meloxicam 15mg, with Omepasole and Sucrafate to protect stomach from the Meloxicam. Provigil 20mg each morning for Narcolepsy. Midday I take Dyazide 37.5mg for edema in joints (no high blood pressure), Potassium and Calcium with D tablets. Claritin for allergy/sinus. At bedtime I take Paxil 20mg & Xanax to improve deeper sleep and help with chronic pain and pravastatin for cholestrol.

Answered by Dr. Dr.Albana Sejdini (13 hours later)

Brief Answer:
None of the meds can cause a rapid swelling of left jaw..

Detailed Answer:
Hi back my dear,

Sorry for the late reply due to XXXXXXX clinical overload during these holidays.

Hope the swelling is getting better.

Now, none of the meds you are taking can cause the swelling it appeared on the left side of your jaw. It could be possibly related to any local infection (lymph nodes) or teeth.

As it appeared overnight, I advise to get a further consultation with a doctor. If you cannot see your doctor, should go to ER.

Wish fast recovery!
Dr.Albana

Note: Consult an experienced Otolaryngologist / ENT Specialist online for further follow up on ear, nose, and throat issues - Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar