What Causes Frequent Fever, Pain Around Left Side Of Face And Ear Pain?

Posted on Tue, 18 Mar 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Tue, 18 Mar 2014 Answered on

Mon, 7 Apr 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : HI MY MOTHER GETS FREQUENT FEVER IN AROUND EVERY 15-20 DAYS FOR ABOUT 3 MONTHS. THE FEVER COMES IN THE EVENING AFTER 6 P.M AND THEN IT GOES OF IN NEXT MORNING EVEN WITHOUT TAKING ANY MEDICINES.SHE ALSO HAS A MILD PAIN AROUND THE LEFT SIDE OF THE FACE.THE AREA OF THE PAIN IS BELOW LEFT EAR PASSING THROUGH JAW AND TILL AROUND THE NECK. PLEASE HELP ME OUT WHAT CAN BE DONE THE SOLVE THIS PROBLEM.

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (37 minutes later)

Brief Answer: This suggests me of connective tissue disorder Detailed Answer: Hello, Welcome to Healthcare Magic, The history and symptoms of your mother suggests me that she may be having Connective tissue disorder like Gaint cell arteritis Chronic cervical Lymphadenopathy Chronic Tonsillitis Chronic Otitis externa But the symptoms are more in favor of gaint cell arteritis, because it is more common in older female, low grade fever which subsides without any medications and jaw claudication (pain below the ear passing through jaw and till the neck). Symptoms are classic of gaint cell arteritis. But it should be confirmed by physical examination and lab investigation like ESR and temporal artery biopsy. If it is confirmed by the lab report, she can be given oral steroid for 2-4 weeks and then steroid should be tapered. I would suggest you to consult your doctor for physical examination and aforementioned lab investigations. Hope this will help you to find the proper solution for your mother problem. If you have any further query feel free to post them. Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Praveen G (58 minutes later)

IN THE PREVIOUS FEVER(25 FEBUARY) I HAD DONE THE CBC IN WHICH ESR LEVEL WAS HIGH(REPORT). AFTER THIS DOC STARTED ZEFU 500MG TAB AND LEVOFLOX 750 TAB FOR 5 DAYS AFTER WHICH SHE WAS FINE.BUT THE FEVER WAS OVER THE NEXT DAY AS I TOLD U PREVIOUSLY.NO ESR TEST WAS DONE AFTER THAT.SO WHAT DO U MAKE OUT NOW AFTER SEEING THE REPORT.

Answered by Dr. Praveen G (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Reports are supporting gaint cell arteritis. Detailed Answer: Hello, As the reports are normal except for raised ESR is a typical of gaint cell arteritis. The fever as recurred after the course of antibiotics and antipyretic with jaw claudication is evident of gaint cell arteritis. The fever will not be controlled by the antibiotics in case of gaint cell arteritis. The diagnosis of gaint cell arteritis can be confirmed by temporal artery biopsy. For this condition oral steroid like prednisolone (1mg/kg body weight) can bring down the fever in 2-3 days and continuation of the steroid for a period of 2-3 weeks will prevent the recurrence of fever.You can give steroid after consulting your doctor. Test for ESR after the period of 2-3 weeks of oral steroids. The ESR level will come down. Hope I have answered your query, still if you have any query feel free to post them. Thank you.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj