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What Causes Swelling On Left Side Of Neck?
Question: My 22 year old (very healthy) son had swelling in his left neck since Friday, but didn't mention until yesterday (Monday) morning when it started swelling to be visually noticeable. It hurts while eating, turning his head to opposite side. they gave him amoxicillin yesterday and he's taken 3 so far, but no improvement yet. Doc in a Box said parietal gland? (I wasn't there with him, so not totally reliable info). shouldn't swelling subside after 24 hours on antibiotics? He claims to feel otherwise healthy.
Brief Answer:
Antibiotics would not help in case of a viral infection.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone through the details and understand your concerns. Unfortunately the details are not enough to make a diagnosis. The exact location of the swelling is important. Ideally, I would have needed to be able to examine it but that is beyond the purview of this discussion. In such a case you would need to depend upon the opinion of a doctor who can examine him clinically.
The doctor seems to have told you that it is the enlargement of parotid gland (not parietal gland). If that is the case, let me mention that parotitis or the inflammation of parotid gland occurs mostly due to viral infections although bacterial infections are also possible. In case of a viral infection antibiotics would not help. But since you have begun it, you must complete the full course in order to avoid the development of antibiotic resistance. You will have to be patient. Apply ice compress. Gradually the swelling will subside.
Let me know if I could be of further help.
Regards
Antibiotics would not help in case of a viral infection.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone through the details and understand your concerns. Unfortunately the details are not enough to make a diagnosis. The exact location of the swelling is important. Ideally, I would have needed to be able to examine it but that is beyond the purview of this discussion. In such a case you would need to depend upon the opinion of a doctor who can examine him clinically.
The doctor seems to have told you that it is the enlargement of parotid gland (not parietal gland). If that is the case, let me mention that parotitis or the inflammation of parotid gland occurs mostly due to viral infections although bacterial infections are also possible. In case of a viral infection antibiotics would not help. But since you have begun it, you must complete the full course in order to avoid the development of antibiotic resistance. You will have to be patient. Apply ice compress. Gradually the swelling will subside.
Let me know if I could be of further help.
Regards
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Yogesh D
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