Should I be concerned about swollen gland? Four year old

[LisaG]

My son has a throat infection, but has been on med for three days. When should I be concerned. It is two fingers in length, behind his left ear, on the neck.

[blondie129]

Not to alarm you, but let me tell you a short(I'll try to make it short) In Dec. 1999 my 14 year old daughter had a gland swell if front of her ear, a visit to the Doc. told us that she had a ear infection that had gotten into her lymph glands, and was put on antibotics, after a week the gland was still swollen, back to the Doc. Lets change the antibotics, please keep in mind that all of this this time she felt fine, so we changed the antibotic. No change, Jan 3rd. 2000, not feeling well go to er there we were told that she had mono,and would be put in the hospital given fluids and iv antibotics, they also decieded to do a bisopy on the swollen gland on Jan. 7 we were told that she had lymphoma and within 2 hrs. in a lifeline helecopter to Chicago Childrens Memorial to start chemo. We lost Lindsey on Feb. 27 2000. Please make sure the docs. do everything possible to diagonse the problem. Please post again to let us know the outcome and how your child is doing.

[LisaG]

He isn't as sleepy, but he is the same otherwise. He has a big swollen gland still. I will let you know the outcome of his next blood test.

[feelbetter]

No, they just examined her neck and glands. After the PA examined her, she had the doctor take a look too as it really did look like the mumps. As I mentioned, it did turn out to be a bacterial infection because they told me if it was a mump, the antibiotics would not help, only time. She had a 100% turn around after about 24 hours. She was taking amoxicilin. I took her to her regular doc when we got home and she was all better. How is your son doing today? Is he better? (I hope so) Take care.

[LisaG]

Thank you for sharing. I don't know if they have the same thing either? Did your child get a blood test? If so, was the white blood count high?

[feelbetter]

Hi. I hope that your son gets well soon. My daughter is five and she just got over an infection in her saliva glands. Her throat was huge and very painful and swollen. We were on vacation at the time and she had a night of no sleep and pain. Thankfully we found a very good clinic that examined her carefully and decided to give us antibiotics. They said that she either had mumps (rare chance as she had been vaccinated) or infected saliva glands. She did feel better after 2 doses though. Her swelling went down in about a day and a half. I don't know if your son has the same thing but I thought I would share. Take care.

[LisaG]

Thank you for your understanding.

[Lor]

If you are worried about the lumps take him back to the Dr and ask him to explain them to you. Problems with the feet will and often do cause pain in the legs this is not uncommon. I told you earlier of my sons feet problems - you seemed to think I was suggesting to you maybe he was growing to fast or big. I didn't mean he had the same thing - just that anything is possible. As a parent I know when my kids are sick I want help and answers. My daughter became very sick as a baby and I couldn't get a straight answer. I just kept bringing her back in until they finally took me serious and looked in her mouth. She had a severe case of herpes from a daycare work kissing her on the mouth when she had a coldsore. Kids get sick and they will get better. Keep asking them - I'm sure you wouldn't be the first parent to do that at their office.

[LisaG]

He does not complain of joint pain. He says his legs hurt, and sparkling feet.
I am supposed to go to the doctor after the med is gone, in 10 days.
I never went to the doctor for his throat. The other symptoms remain the same. He has not complained about sparkiling feet in a couple of days, but he will.  He is still pale, and dark under his eyes. He sleeps 12 hours at night. He has missed two days of naps. That is different. He was having three hour naps. But he still went to bed an hour earlier each night. (He complains at night, of being tired, when he misses a nap).
He often beggs for a nap.Not the Chritopher I used to know. He used to hate bed.He is eating a little less now. He does eat though. He drinks fine. Urination/bowels are normal.

[nanci]

How long has your son been feeling this way.  How does the swelling feel to your touch - is it soft, hard, moveable?

When are you seeing the doctor again?  Do you see any improvement at all in your son since he's been taking the medication?  Does he say his joints ache?

[LisaG]

The doctor said he would see my son after the med was done. The family doctor said it was viral, and gave no medication. When his blood tests came back with elevated white blood count of 19.5, he sent us to a pediatrition who then said it was bacterial, and put him on med.
We originally went to the doctor for his other symptoms...
"sparkling feet" as my four year old describes
pale
sunkin eyes
fever-on-and-off
gland swollen
sleepy

[nanci]

Who presecribed the medication for your son - assuming
it was his doctor, what did he/she say about the gland?  Did the doctor mention anything about calling if the gland wasn't better in three days, five days, seven days?  

What was the diagnosis - swollen glands, flu, bacterial infeciton or viral?

[Concerned lady]

Dear Lisa,

For your own peace of mind, and for your son's sake, I urge you to take him to a BETTER doctor, in a larger town, near you.

I think your question about whether to worry about the swollen gland could be answered QUICKLY and ACCURATELY if a BETTER DOCTOR could SEE the swollen gland in person, not over the internet.

Sincerely, Concerned lady
http://cantbreathesuspectvcd.com