My baby is almost 20 months old, and has dealt with 3 ear infections in January-March. Each time he got one, he would hit at the back of his head and his lymph nodes behind his ears would swell. He got rid of the last one, and then the pain and swelling came back. I started taking him to the chiropractor, as a couple of years ago, a chiropractor was able to get rid of my older son's recurring ear infections. He started adjusting him and the pain and swelling seemed to get better. Then, last week the pain and swelling came back with fever. I took him into the doctor (Tuesday) and he had strep throat with a slight ear infection. He's on an antibiotic and I kept taking him to the chiropractor and put him on probiotics. The swelling got better and he seemed to be feeling much better. Then, this past weekend, my older son got a horrible stomach bug. My 20 month old started lots of diaherria too, and threw up once. This morning, my older son is better, but my 20 month old still has runny bms and his head is swelling again. He is constantly grabbing his head and I ask him if it hurts and he says "yes".
I've asked my doctor about it and he just said its a product of the infection or a habit (I know its not a habit). He's still taking his antibiotic, but he threw it up last night, so maybe missed a dose? Could it be the stomach virus, still the strep? I'm really starting to worry about bigger things like lymphoma.
Any suggestions? Can anyone ease my mind, or tell me if I need to be more proactive about looking for more serious issues?
Thanks so much!!
Did they do blood work? If you are uncomfortable with it and feel there may be something bigger going on, don't give up. You are your Child's advocate! Good luck!
If you have insurance and going to a specialist is not a big financial problem, I would recommend you go to an ENT (ear-nose-throat specialist). I agree with the others that swollen lymph nodes are a result of infection, but that many infections in that short a time might be a sign of other problems. My daughter had to have two ear tube surgeries: one at 15 mos and another at 2 1/2. Antibiotics would treat the immediate problem but as soon as she would go off of them, the infection would return because her ears were not draining properly. They even had to put her on two antibiotics simultaneously sometimes to get the infection to respond. My other daughter had recurrent strep and was a strep carrier. Stomach aches (including diarrhea and nausea) as well as headaches can be symptoms of strep. In fact, sometimes my daughter didn't even have a sore throat but had the other symptoms. So it's possible the strep isn't responding to the antibiotic. Call your doctor about those new symptoms and see if they want to retest him or change his antibiotic. But in addition, I would make an appt with a specialist to explore the whole picture.
I would have it checked out just in case, but im "that" mom who freaks out over everything! His lymph nodes will be swollen with any infection. His little body is morr than likely ran dwn due to the other infections and that bug hit him hard. Just finish the antibiotic and start a probiotic aftetwards. Take a deep breath, ur doing fine mama!
periodically, my son's lymph nodes swell. This is due to his body fighting off an infection. Sometimes it's ear, sometimes it's just reactionary to allergies.....& yes, it's been strep, too.
Since your son has been ill, my guess would be.....enlarged lymph nodes - the same as my son's. I do remember with one of his rounds....those nodes did not deflate until a month later!
Continue with the antibiotics & relax!
Vaccines can cause these symptoms. Our kids are getting too many vaccines at once and your doctor will tell you otherwise. Your doctor said"HABIT?" ...... That one almost made me fall out of my chair. If you are interested in some alternative therapies you can email me back. I hope he is better tonight!
L.
