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Swollen Italian

My friend from Italy is visiting  (male, age 67)  and woke up with the whole side of his face swollen.  It appears like it's stemming from the area on the side of his nose?  It's painful on touch.  Not sure where to take him.. a dentist or a doctor.  Should I just wait a few days.  If it's an infection, will it get worse, or can it clear by itself.  Mama Mia.  Thank you.  
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757137 tn?1347196453
As it happened this recently happened to my husband. It got very painful and we went to the ER. They admitted him because it turned out to be an infected salivary gland. This is potentially dangerous (a surprise to me) and can spread to the heart. They said it was good that we did not waste any time in bringing him in. He was put on IV antibiotics and, for a while, morphine. It took five days to get the three sites to drain and for the swelling to subside sufficiently to allow him to go home.
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796253 tn?1344991332
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hi and thanks for using the forum.

I would suggest either you take him to a regular doctor or to the ER.  Since the whole side of his face is swollen, I doubt that it will get better on its own.  He most likely will need an antibiotic of some sort.  Good luck- I hope the rest of his trip goes better!

Bridget
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