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What Causes Persistent Cold, Clear Mucus And Swelling In Lymph Nodes?
Question: Yes hello I've had it a cold for about a week and a half it started as just clear mucus by the third day I had a chest cold and was coughing the chest cold is going away but it went into my head and my sinuses my neck glands under the ears are swollen but I don't have a sore throat and the back of my neck hurts its like tender to move it left and right any idea what that is
Brief Answer:
Welcome:
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Any drainage from your head can cause swelling and tenderness of the regional lymph nodes. And there are nodes even in the back of the neck.
If your sinuses are congested, here are a few things you can try:
A nasal steroid such as Flonase, which is sold without prescription, can decrease the nasal/sinus inflammation and mucus production.
Muxinex (or generic guaifenesin) is a mucolytic that can thin the secretions and help them clear out more easily. This only works well if you drink copious amounts of water as the mucolytic works by drawing the water to the secretions to thin them.
If, however, your neck is stiff and hurts to flex it forward, and you have a fever, then you should go to the ER to make sure you don't have meningitis. But given your description, this does not sound like it is what is going on.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Welcome:
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Any drainage from your head can cause swelling and tenderness of the regional lymph nodes. And there are nodes even in the back of the neck.
If your sinuses are congested, here are a few things you can try:
A nasal steroid such as Flonase, which is sold without prescription, can decrease the nasal/sinus inflammation and mucus production.
Muxinex (or generic guaifenesin) is a mucolytic that can thin the secretions and help them clear out more easily. This only works well if you drink copious amounts of water as the mucolytic works by drawing the water to the secretions to thin them.
If, however, your neck is stiff and hurts to flex it forward, and you have a fever, then you should go to the ER to make sure you don't have meningitis. But given your description, this does not sound like it is what is going on.
I hope this information helps. Please let me know if I can provide further information or clarification.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
It does thank you very much I was concerned about that myself honestly. I did have a fever when it was at its height about 100.9 100.7 100.3 but I've been pretty fever list over the past few days so you think I'm good right? It really is pretty sensitive and in a way it seems to be getting worse the neck part. I just took it and it was 97.4 granted I also drink orange juice recently
It does not hurt much it hurts a little to go forward but that's if I really stretch it out there it hurts more than when I turn left and right and tip my head back
It does not hurt much it hurts a little to go forward but that's if I really stretch it out there it hurts more than when I turn left and right and tip my head back
Brief Answer:
some information:
Detailed Answer:
If you feel tenderness specifically over lymph nodes, then it is unlikely to be meningitis.
Sometimes there can be referred pain to the back of the head or neck from a congested ear.
It is unlikely to be meningitis if your fever has resolved and you are not having a bad headache and feeling overall quite ill.
Try putting a hot moist wash cloth on the back of your neck and see if that gives some relief.
There is no harm in going to an urgent care clinic just to be checked out if the neck pain is worsening. Only thing is be careful not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth when there or until you have washed or alcohol gelled your hands as you don't want to pick up worse things there.
some information:
Detailed Answer:
If you feel tenderness specifically over lymph nodes, then it is unlikely to be meningitis.
Sometimes there can be referred pain to the back of the head or neck from a congested ear.
It is unlikely to be meningitis if your fever has resolved and you are not having a bad headache and feeling overall quite ill.
Try putting a hot moist wash cloth on the back of your neck and see if that gives some relief.
There is no harm in going to an urgent care clinic just to be checked out if the neck pain is worsening. Only thing is be careful not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth when there or until you have washed or alcohol gelled your hands as you don't want to pick up worse things there.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Sounds great thank you so much this is been a tremendous help we will use this format in the future. Have a nice evening you don't need to reply to this I wasn't sure how to send a message I wasn't sure if just closing wouldn't allow me a chance to say thank you goodnight
Brief Answer:
Your welcome!
Detailed Answer:
I'm glad to help.
Thanks for your thank you! You can go ahead and close the discussion if there is nothing further. If you would like to get me specifically for future questions, you can request me by name in the first line of your question and it will be routed to me.
Your welcome!
Detailed Answer:
I'm glad to help.
Thanks for your thank you! You can go ahead and close the discussion if there is nothing further. If you would like to get me specifically for future questions, you can request me by name in the first line of your question and it will be routed to me.
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
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