LYMPH NODES, PAINFUL, BEHIND EAR, WITH FEVER AND LETHARGY: DESCRIPTION AND POSSIBLE MEDICAL PROBLEMS
Chains of lymph nodes run along the side of the neck from the ear to the shoulder. Lymph nodes feel like small peas under the skin. If they’re swollen, they may also be painful to the touch, and you may also have flulike symptoms, such as nasal congestion, fatigue, and overall aches and pains. Feel along the line with your fingertips; it is important to know if you have one or more swollen lymph nodes.
If you have swollen, painful glands behind the ear and jawbone accompanied by a high fever and lethargy, you probably have a viral infection. Just a few years ago, if this happened to you, it wouldn’t raise any eyebrows. You’d stay in bed for a few days, be patient, take aspirin, and drink lots of liquid if it was viral, and in a week or so you’d be back to normal. If it has a bacterial origin, then antibiotics would be added.
Today, however, the story is different. If you have what seems to be the flu along with swollen lymph nodes and it doesn’t go away after about a week, you may have chronic fatigue syndrome, which is believed to be caused by the Epstein-Barr virus. However, though many people automatically jump to the conclusion that they have chronic fatigue syndrome, the condition is actually quite rare.
Chronic fatigue syndrome is actually a variation of infectious mononucleosis. Back in high school, mono, or “kissing disease,” was a badge to be worn proudly. Adults who get chronic fatigue syndrome face the possibility that they will have to deal with it for the rest of their lives.
Other symptoms of both mononucleosis and chronic fatigue syndrome include a sore throat, low-grade fever, headache, and, of course, fatigue. The difference between the two diseases is that mononucleosis generally clears up within a few weeks; chronic fatigue syndrome can go on for years.
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