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What Causes Swollen Lymph Node While On Treatment For Sinusitis?

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Posted on Wed, 3 Dec 2014
Question: Hi I am being treated for a Sinius infection with antibiotics and a decongestant. The right side of my Sinius are very sore and so is my right ear, right lymph nodes under my chin and the right side of my neck. Is this normal?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (35 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
It is normal

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

sinusitis can be from mild to severe regarding its symptoms. Most of the times sinusitis follows a common upper respiratory infection which usually causes neck lymph node enlargement and tenderness. After some days have passed and the respiratory infection seems to get better, there is a second phase of worsening (sinusitis).
Pain above the infected sinus, pressure or sensation of fullness to the ear, neck tenderness are symptoms that sometimes coexist.
So this is a rather normal condition. The antibiotic and the decongestant you were prescribed should make you feel better soon.
Signs that should raise concerns about the outcome of the treatment include the appearance (or the worsening) of fever, pain that won't get better after a few days of treatment, steady worsening ear pain or fluid coming out of the ear canal and neurological symptoms. Contact your doctor as soon as possible, if any of the above appears.
I hope I've helped! If you have more questions, please use your follow-up questions. I'll be glad to help more!
If not, then please close this discussion and rate my answer.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (16 minutes later)
Thank you. I just wanted to make sure it was normal. My neck feels like I have strained it but only on the right side frond side and back. So that is normal and I shouldn't be worrying about developing meninigitis?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (32 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Does not seem like meningitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi,

I'll try to be more descriptive. Lymph node enlargement and tenderness or pain, can be usually localized and won't involve the whole neck. You should be able to palpate small almond sized nodes that feel as firm (or as soft) as a tennis-ball and are tender or painful. Anything that goes beyond that is abnormal.
Please keep in mind though that meningitis has a very severe presentation including very high fever, severe headache, neck stiffness (you shouldn't be able to move your chin towards your chest) and sometimes neurological symptoms. Photophobia ("photo" for light and "phobia" for fear, which means that the patient tries to avoid light) is a common companion of meningitis. The symptom of neck pain that you've described does not sound like meningitis although a clinical encounter would be more appropriate to decide that. Meningitis is a potential complication of sinusitis, indeed.
I hope I've been more clear now!
If you need more clarifications, please let me know!

Kind Regards!
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. Raju A.T
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3809 Questions

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What Causes Swollen Lymph Node While On Treatment For Sinusitis?

Brief Answer: It is normal Detailed Answer: Hello, sinusitis can be from mild to severe regarding its symptoms. Most of the times sinusitis follows a common upper respiratory infection which usually causes neck lymph node enlargement and tenderness. After some days have passed and the respiratory infection seems to get better, there is a second phase of worsening (sinusitis). Pain above the infected sinus, pressure or sensation of fullness to the ear, neck tenderness are symptoms that sometimes coexist. So this is a rather normal condition. The antibiotic and the decongestant you were prescribed should make you feel better soon. Signs that should raise concerns about the outcome of the treatment include the appearance (or the worsening) of fever, pain that won't get better after a few days of treatment, steady worsening ear pain or fluid coming out of the ear canal and neurological symptoms. Contact your doctor as soon as possible, if any of the above appears. I hope I've helped! If you have more questions, please use your follow-up questions. I'll be glad to help more! If not, then please close this discussion and rate my answer. Kind Regards!