Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Viral Infection, Tetracycline, Flagyl, H.pylori, Low Potassium, Tension In Jaw. Causes ?
Question: I've been sick with a viral infection for about 3 weeks. I've been on tetracycline and flagyl for h. pylori as well as a potassium supplement because my potassium bottomed out. The potassium is back to normal. As of yesterday I started getting tension in my jaw. At times I can't fully close it. It is extremely hard to eat. This tension comes and goes. What could be causing this?
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
Prolonged viral illness as well as potassium supplements both can cause muscle weakness. The difficulty in closing the jaw that you are facing is due to muscle weakness rather than due to tension. It will take some days to normalize. You can get your serum potassium levels checked and if they are normal then this is a post viral illness weakness.
Other conditions that need to be ruled out with the help of your physician are hypocalcaemia, temporomandibular joint dislocation or subluxation, tetanus, etc.
I hope my answer and recommendations are adequate and helpful. Waiting for your further follow up queries if any.
Regards,
Thanks for writing to us.
Prolonged viral illness as well as potassium supplements both can cause muscle weakness. The difficulty in closing the jaw that you are facing is due to muscle weakness rather than due to tension. It will take some days to normalize. You can get your serum potassium levels checked and if they are normal then this is a post viral illness weakness.
Other conditions that need to be ruled out with the help of your physician are hypocalcaemia, temporomandibular joint dislocation or subluxation, tetanus, etc.
I hope my answer and recommendations are adequate and helpful. Waiting for your further follow up queries if any.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you for your response. I've discovered that the jaw issue was actually related to a bad case of oral thrush that I developed and didn't know about. I went to the er last night and the doctor said that it was pretty extending. I had been taking a lot of tetracycline and flagyl. My immune system has also been run down from the virus I had, my white blood cell count has been low. I was running a bad temp last night which I got under control for the most part. The doctor prescribed nyastatin and diflucan for two weeks. Should I be concerned about about fighting this off with my immune system down? The dr said I wouldn't be able to take any antibiotics again for awhile.
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
The anti fungal agents prescribed to you are good and will take care of the oral thrush that you have even if your immunity is low. You need not worry much over it.
There are ways you can reduce your risk of Oral thrush.
For example;
Rinse your mouth regularly.
Eat fresh-culture yoghurt with lactobacillus, acidophilus or bifidobacterium.
Take acidophilus capsules when you take antibiotics.
Hope I have answered your query.
Wishing you an early recovery.
Thanks for writing again.
The anti fungal agents prescribed to you are good and will take care of the oral thrush that you have even if your immunity is low. You need not worry much over it.
There are ways you can reduce your risk of Oral thrush.
For example;
Rinse your mouth regularly.
Eat fresh-culture yoghurt with lactobacillus, acidophilus or bifidobacterium.
Take acidophilus capsules when you take antibiotics.
Hope I have answered your query.
Wishing you an early recovery.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Radhika
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
