numbness preceded by headache

[bunny168]

my son at 14 is diagnosed by the ENT to have adenoiditis. his symptoms are headache for 5 days now, yesterday, he felt numbness in whole body and feeling of fainting, palpitation and difficulty in speech. maybe for only a few minutes. then after taking antibiotics, pain reliever and antihistamine given by ENT, this morning his one chin is swollen and the pain in right side of his head persisted with fever which disappeared after given paracetamol. research didn't point to the fact that adenoiditis can cause numbness. i am just wondering, what is the problem with my son.

[bunny168]

my son sought a second opinion with another ENT, he diagnosed him to have adenoiditis and sinusitis. abscess is aspirated from his throat and he changed all the antibiotics, antihistamine and decongestant.he had a chest x ray, although it is cleared. Hoping with the abscess aspirated and new antibiotics, hopefully, this time it will work.

[bunny168]

The condition of my son reverted back to square 1, the fever recurred and the headache persisted and there seems to  be no improvement. We informed the ENT and he is advised to go back to the clinic for further evaluation. We will susgest to her if there is a possibility that it is a viral infection or maybe my son is resistant to the antibiotics and will see if culture and susceptibility test will be needed. When he is younger and contracted amoeba, he became resistant to many antibiotics.

The ENT also susgested that if the swelling is substantial, she will confine him to hospital. But I recall that she ruled out tonsilitis.She seemed to be certain that it is adenoiditis.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

The swollen chin may be so because of an enlarged lymph node. The lymph nodes enlarge as a result of infection and since adenoiditis is an infection and inflammation of adenoids it is quite possible that the lymph node has enlarged as a consequence of this infection.
It is always necessary to identify the exact cause of tonsillitis before beginning the treatment. Usually it is caused by streptococcus but sometimes there can be other causes as well like a virus or other bacteria.
Tonsillitis due to virus’ will not respond to antibiotics.
Please discuss all these possibilities with the pediatrician. Do keep us posted.

[bunny168]

Thanks for your reply. my son's condition is still the same, and one of his chin is now swollen. Am glad to hear of your professional advise that the numbness may be a harmless symptom. Indeed he was very afraid that he might die, in fact he cried out being so afraid  I just hope that is the reaction of his fear and anxiety.

He is now consulting with his pedia and my wife has called the ENT to inform her of the swollen chin, maybe due to the swollen lymph node.

Although he doesn't have the numbness anymore today. Do you think that it is only adenoiditis? Although with the medications given, there is no improvement yet.

Hoping he will improve by tomorrow.

[DrNoopurMD]

Hi,

How is your son feeling now?
The numbness fainting and palpitations that he experienced could be because of high fever and headache.
Sometimes numbness can be a harmless symptom as a result of excessive stress, fear or anxiety.
I would suggest you to discuss this with his treating doctor and please keep a watch, if it occurs again it needs to be evaluated.