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Suggest Treatment For Swollen Lymph Node Behind The Ear

Posted on Tue, 30 Jun 2015

Question: What could be the cause for swollen lymph behind left ear and under left jaw line. Also itchy little bumps on skin, and tongue lesions. Also muscle weakness.. Swollen lymphs has been there for about 10 months.. What are the possible causes of this.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Biopsy should be considered in consult with your doctor

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Welcome

I appreciate your concern

The most common cause for such lymph node enlargement is a an infection draining into these nodes. The nodes behind the ear are most likely related to the external ear, scalp and mastoid. The nodes under the jaw line can be related to the tongue lesions. Since the nodes haven't reduced in size , it is a matter of concern as viral exanthema usually subside within weeks and common bacterial infections of the ear, throat usually present with tender lymphadenopathy and fever. If the lymph nodes have persistently remained enlarged for 10 months then excisional lymph node biopsy should be considered. Please consult an ENT doctor to examine the tongue lesion and if suspicion is there , oral brush biopsy for the tongue lesions can also be an option.

Wishing you best of health

Thanks

Please consult your doctor before deciding on any further course of action.

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Dr. M.S. Khalil

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

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (21 hours later)

The swollen lymph came along with all these symptoms 2 weeks after i had unprotected sexual encounter with a female. These are the symptoms i had post sex. Rash, sore throat, Penis chancre, lasted for aproximately 2 Weeks immediately after these subsided i had Flu Like Illness. Stuffy Nose, swollen Lymph all over, night sweats for 2 months, White Tongue with Lessions On Side. White Line on inner Cheek. discloration Of Toenails immediately after these symptons subsides. Gastro Intestinal Problems Confusion And Continued Malaise since First Set Of Symptoms, Stiff Neck, Shortness of Breathe ear Ache blurry symptoms reocurring throat issues. The girl I had Sex With Recently Got Over Flu And She was Complaining About Stiff Neck. And Throat Issues. I had a 6 week 12 week 17 week hiv1/o/2 icma antibody test poat exposure negative. And then a 21 week hiv ag/ab negative. Then i had a 28 week hiv1/o/2 antibody test and finally an 11 month hiv1/o/2 antibody test all negative. Still to this day im suffering from tongue lesion on side of tongue, lymph node swelling behind left ear and under left jaw and blurry vision. The girl i slept with unprotected had told me she had just gotten over the flu when i met her and she continued being somewhat ill during the time we dated IF not hiv what other virus could cause this or should i continue to test for hiv. Are the test reliable? It seems to much of a coincidence that i would get sick approximately 2 weeks after having sex with this girl who i found out later was promiscuous

Answered by Dr. Dr. Muhammad Sareer Khalil (40 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Not HIV

Detailed Answer:
Hello again.

I would like to assure you that based on the HIV investigations that you stated , you don't need to worry about HIV. You don't have HIV. You don't need to further investigate for HIV.

Based upon the sexual history, an STD panel can be advised excluding HIV. I would again repeat that unless the nodes are biopsied there is no way that one can say for surety what the cause of your symptoms/lymphadenopathy is. CBC and CRP should also be done. Similarly if the tongue lesions are not resolving then an oral brush biopsy should be advised. A two week empiric course of broad spectrum antibiotics can be started e.g Gatifloxacin to see for improvement of symptoms. If there is persistence despite the treatment then the investigations should be done.

Thanks.

Dr. M.S. Khalil

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