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What Causes Cold, Jaw Pain, Low Grade Fever And Throat Pain?
Question: i had a head cold about 6 weeks a go congestion the whole works-- it went away after a short time like normal but not long after that i developed a minor pain in my right ear and jaw/teeth--the pain is most generally mild and it even comes and goes in varying degrees--and now every afternoon i get a mild fever till i go to bed and in the morning its gone--occasionally i get a mild throat soreness --any ideas?
Brief Answer:
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
While some people get ear symptoms residually for awhile after an upper respiratory infection (from fluid in the ear and eustachian tube dysfunction), this would not cause the low grade fever.
My thought is that there remains a pocket of infection somewhere. This may be in the sinuses, causing post nasal drainage that makes your throat sore. It is also possible that the problem is in the right tonsil. Anything going on in the throat can cause ear pain, and can cause symptoms in the teeth and jaw too.
I recommend you go back in to your doctor, or to an ENT (ear nose throat specialist).
While the newest recommendations are to not treat a sinus infection with antibiotics in the first 3 weeks due to increasing problems with antibiotic resistance, and because most sinus infections resolve on their own without antibiotics in that period of time, you are well past that time, and as you are having fevers, it's time to look into what is going on.
Your doctor can get a look at your ear (for fluid behind the ear drum, and ear drum reaction to pressure changes) and also get a good look at your tonsils if you have them, and throat (for drainage).
He or she may give you another round of (a different) antibiotic empirically, without knowing what is going on, or he/she may order an MRI of the sinuses and refer you to an ENT doctor.
In the mean time, do what you can to get lots of rest, plenty of water.
And if there is any chance you might be having problems with your teeth, see your dentist. (Again - problems in the mouth can cause referred pain in the ear.)
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can help further.
Information
Detailed Answer:
Hello XXXXXXX
While some people get ear symptoms residually for awhile after an upper respiratory infection (from fluid in the ear and eustachian tube dysfunction), this would not cause the low grade fever.
My thought is that there remains a pocket of infection somewhere. This may be in the sinuses, causing post nasal drainage that makes your throat sore. It is also possible that the problem is in the right tonsil. Anything going on in the throat can cause ear pain, and can cause symptoms in the teeth and jaw too.
I recommend you go back in to your doctor, or to an ENT (ear nose throat specialist).
While the newest recommendations are to not treat a sinus infection with antibiotics in the first 3 weeks due to increasing problems with antibiotic resistance, and because most sinus infections resolve on their own without antibiotics in that period of time, you are well past that time, and as you are having fevers, it's time to look into what is going on.
Your doctor can get a look at your ear (for fluid behind the ear drum, and ear drum reaction to pressure changes) and also get a good look at your tonsils if you have them, and throat (for drainage).
He or she may give you another round of (a different) antibiotic empirically, without knowing what is going on, or he/she may order an MRI of the sinuses and refer you to an ENT doctor.
In the mean time, do what you can to get lots of rest, plenty of water.
And if there is any chance you might be having problems with your teeth, see your dentist. (Again - problems in the mouth can cause referred pain in the ear.)
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can help further.
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
Answered by
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