What Causes Swelling Of Glands With Stiffness In Face And Neck?

Posted on Sun, 6 Apr 2014

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

Sun, 6 Apr 2014 Answered on

Fri, 2 May 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : my daughter 27 taking sulphasalazine for now week three increasing dose, no fevers but has developed swelling of glands and in face and neck with neck stiffness has seen GP today told to comeback for bloods tommorrow....concerned this is allergic reaction

Answered by Dr. Vaddadi Suresh (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer: An allergic reaction would have produced rash Detailed Answer: hi, An allergic reaction would have produced rash and eosinophilia. Pending results, this is a possibility. I believe there are other possibilities for consideration. 1.It could be secondary to infection caused by slashed immune system due to the drug sulfasalazine, which is known to cause agranulocytosis (low white cells) 2.Meningitis as such, is a known adverse effect of sulfa. whatever is the case, you need not worry as these are reversible after the drug is stopped. Before that it is important to confirm whether these are secondary to sulfa or a different problem which will be evaluated by your doctor. Hope i was of some help.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar