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What Causes Fever, Rashes On The Arm And Fatigue While Having Bell’s Palsy?

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Posted on Wed, 27 Jul 2016
Question: My granddaughter age 10 two weeks ago started with a fever and no feeling well. Went to bed early. Next day she had a rash on both forearms, from wrist to elbow. She started complaining of not feeling well and being soooo tired. She had low grade fevers for about a week initially. No fevers now. However, the fatigue continues to plague her tremendously. Very little, if any, energy for anything else but laying in bed. She says her facial bones hurt and there is a slow growing red splotchy-ness to the left side of her face. Has increased slowly this week. Her most painful time was at the very beginning and her left ear was very painful with no reason seen on exam for pain. She had blood work done and her normal metabolic results were WNL. However, her Lyme Disease and her mono blood work both cam back positive. To topeverything off, she has been diagnosed with Bell's Palsy on her right side of face......which was evident within a couple of days of all this stuff showing up. I must inform you that she and I were in Costa Rica for a week swimming in hot pools and under waterfalls at resort. We also each got about 8-10 mosquito bites each. What are the chances of her having lyme disease, mono and Bell's Palsy all at once?? She is to begin Doxicycline tonight, taking two pills a day. HELP!!! Need advice. Our nearest large hospital is about 40 minutes away and is Hershey Medical Center. She is at the moment being seen locally in town by her pediatrician. Thank you.

We were in Costa Rica the end of March to first week in April 2016. Forgot to mention when it was we were traveling. We both did get some inoculations before going.
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Answered by Dr. Eric Goldstein (49 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Fatigue

Detailed Answer:
Hello. I just read through your question.

Though Lyme disease and Mononucleosis at the same time is not common, it's also not impossible. The blood results seem to indicate that this is exactly what happened. Bell's Palsy can happen secondarily as a result of either Lyme or Mononucleosis, so that is not so far fetched.

The Doxycycline will help against Lyme. But there isn't any medication that can speed recovery from Mononucleosis. In fact, the fatigue due to Monitor can last several weeks. The Bell's Palsy can take even longer to resolve.

It's not really possible to ascertain what role the mosquitos played in all this. But at this point, it is academic.

I agree with treatment of Doxycycline. There are some cases where low dose steroids are considered to attempt to speed the resolution of the Bell's Palsy. But this is in very few cases. Outside of that, fluids and rest are all we have left.

It's unfortunate that this happened. Especially to a 10 year old. But it will resolve.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Eric Goldstein

Pediatrician

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 1303 Questions

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What Causes Fever, Rashes On The Arm And Fatigue While Having Bell’s Palsy?

Brief Answer: Fatigue Detailed Answer: Hello. I just read through your question. Though Lyme disease and Mononucleosis at the same time is not common, it's also not impossible. The blood results seem to indicate that this is exactly what happened. Bell's Palsy can happen secondarily as a result of either Lyme or Mononucleosis, so that is not so far fetched. The Doxycycline will help against Lyme. But there isn't any medication that can speed recovery from Mononucleosis. In fact, the fatigue due to Monitor can last several weeks. The Bell's Palsy can take even longer to resolve. It's not really possible to ascertain what role the mosquitos played in all this. But at this point, it is academic. I agree with treatment of Doxycycline. There are some cases where low dose steroids are considered to attempt to speed the resolution of the Bell's Palsy. But this is in very few cases. Outside of that, fluids and rest are all we have left. It's unfortunate that this happened. Especially to a 10 year old. But it will resolve.