Hi,
A lump behind the ear could be due to throat infection, insect bite, accidental trauma to the site, ear infection , etc.
Lymph nodes in the region are known as post auricular lymph nodes and can enlarge secondary to infection, inflammation, etc.
You could try some warm compresses at the site, warm saline gargles for his sore throat and some oral antihistamine medications for the swelling.
This could be mastoiditis, cervical lymphadenopathy or parotitis.
Have you seen an ENT specialist or your doctor for your symptoms? Do you have any associated symptoms of pain, discharge, fever, etc?
'Mastoiditis is an infection of the mastoid process, the portion of the temporal bone of the skull that is behind the ear. It is usually caused by untreated acute otitis media (middle ear infection) .'
You could read more about the condition at the following links -
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastoidectomy
and
http://www.emedicine.com/emerg/topic306.htm
Let us know about how you are doing and if you have any other doubts.
Post us about what your doctor advises.
Regards.
The good thing is that I work in a lab at a hospital.We have done some basic blood work and there is no infection to be found.Also no fever.I did have a node that was swollen in my left armpit that lasted approx.1 1/2 weeks but did go away on it's own.It wasn't even 1 week after that I had the one behind my right ear come up.I know that this sounds stupid but I'm still concerned about cancer....even though the CBC/Sed Rate all came back normal.
I forgot to ask...have you checked to see if you have a fever? Fever can cause the sweating/chills etc.
Lymph nodes swell as a result of (typically) an infection of some kind. Are the lymph nodes in your neck, groin, or armpits swollen?
There are some viral infections (mononucleosis, for example) that the main symptom is swelling of the lymph glands. I would have this checked by a doc again, and if they don't do blood work, then find another doc. If they stay swollen for over a couple of weeks, I would seek another opinion. There must be an underlying reason why you are having these problems.