I Started On Saturday With A Deep Cough But Only

Posted on Thu, 6 Feb 2020

Question: i started on saturday with a deep cough but only sporadically not constant. over the week the cough seemed completely gone. i presented with swollen lymph nodes behind left ear a few days ago. they do not seem as prominent now but very painful. i have had congestion in general nasal, sinus but difficult to say because i typically have allergies.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (25 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please read the following

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome in Ask the Doctor

I can understand your concern

According to the history you provide it seems like a viral situation .It is common in such situation to have lymphonodes and especially in ear and throat infections.
You can do a simple blood check up to see the inflammatory situation and if positive maybe antibiotics are needed.

But you should be consult first with your doctor about the above. Do not worry it isa viral situation.

Hope to have been helpful

Regards

Dr.Jolanda

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Jolanda (13 minutes later)

You recommend seeing a doctor to have blood tests to see if it’s bacterial or virus? Not wait it out?

Is it normal to have such painful lymphnodes after they decreased a bit in size? Just haven’t had this before with the pain.

Thank you doctor

Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (43 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Continue discussion

Detailed Answer:
Hi again
Yes I recommend to do specifically Hemogram ESR and CRP blood tests.
If they are positive than you will take antibiotics if not than just painkillers.

Regards

Dr.Jolanda

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Jolanda (8 hours later)

the doctor wouldnt do a blood test. she said theres no test to tell the difference between virus and bacterial infection. she didnt seem impressed by my lymphnodes but i dont know if shes a good doctor or not. she thought i have a viral infection.

can it be normal to have such pain behind my ear and the area below with lympnodes? if one has a virus? how would i know if the lympnode itself was infected or absessed? thank you. i have slight fever today of 98.8. this is ghe first day with fever since this began.

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Jolanda (3 minutes later)

also, i took 4 advil earlier and it really didnt help with pain very much. i still have tbe 98.8 degree fever which i know isnt much my my temp usually runs low so its a bit of a fever for me.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Jolanda (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Continue discussion

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

Ok so if your doctor think you don't need them after examine you than you should trust him or her.
You can also do an ultrasound of the lymphonodes area to evaluate them better.

Regards

Dr.Jolanda

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj