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What Do These Blood And CT Scan Reports Indicate?
Posted on
Sat, 3 Oct 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 3 Oct 2015
Answered on
Mon, 2 Nov 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : All started with swollen lymph nodes/ salivary glands on both sides of my neck. Sore neck muscles mainly in the front under my chin running down my neck. Painful, sore, stiff muscles. Warmth on both sides of my neck to the touch. Sore throat for a week or two. Sore throat went away thought things were healing but other symptoms didn't go away.
Saw family doctor 3 times. Got blood work and CT scan of neck for lymph nodes or cancerous cells. Slightly swollen right lymph node but deemed not cancerous.
Possible thoughts were a flare up of epstein-barr because had mono 2-3 years ago. Also i noticed the symptoms most Monday - Thursday when i wear dress shirts, rigid collars and tie. Friday i can wear a polo shirt where the stress on my neck is limited and no tie. Friday - Sunday my symptoms seem to heal and I feel better. Monday started all over again and by the end of the day Thursday my neck and glands were really sore and swollen, pain and soreness.
I realized i had bought all new short sleeve dress shirts so thought it could be something i was allergic to in the material or dry cleaners changed chemicals up. So i got a doctors note and haven't been wearing the shirts or tie for about 2 weeks. The magnitude of pain, soreness and symptoms has drastically been reduced. If it was an allergic reaction to the shirts shouldn't i be all cleared up by two weeks?
My main concerns are that its been 3-5 months with symptoms. Lymph nodes/salivary glands in neck have been swollen throughout this time period. Worse in the morning and seems to get better as day progresses slightly. I can feel them swollen throughout the day. No real pain but its worrying me. Also notice stiffness, clicking, tightness in jaw muscles. Can sometimes hear fluid in my jaw.
Sinus infection? Bacteria from smoking hookah? (stopped smoking hookah and cigars when symptoms appeared) Allergic reaction to cotton in my dress shirts? Is this something serious like cancer since i still have symptoms? Whats the next step or test?
Will look into scheduling an appointment with Ear nose and throat doctor.
Really starting to worry this is long term and serious issue. Starting to affect me mentally.
Saw family doctor 3 times. Got blood work and CT scan of neck for lymph nodes or cancerous cells. Slightly swollen right lymph node but deemed not cancerous.
Possible thoughts were a flare up of epstein-barr because had mono 2-3 years ago. Also i noticed the symptoms most Monday - Thursday when i wear dress shirts, rigid collars and tie. Friday i can wear a polo shirt where the stress on my neck is limited and no tie. Friday - Sunday my symptoms seem to heal and I feel better. Monday started all over again and by the end of the day Thursday my neck and glands were really sore and swollen, pain and soreness.
I realized i had bought all new short sleeve dress shirts so thought it could be something i was allergic to in the material or dry cleaners changed chemicals up. So i got a doctors note and haven't been wearing the shirts or tie for about 2 weeks. The magnitude of pain, soreness and symptoms has drastically been reduced. If it was an allergic reaction to the shirts shouldn't i be all cleared up by two weeks?
My main concerns are that its been 3-5 months with symptoms. Lymph nodes/salivary glands in neck have been swollen throughout this time period. Worse in the morning and seems to get better as day progresses slightly. I can feel them swollen throughout the day. No real pain but its worrying me. Also notice stiffness, clicking, tightness in jaw muscles. Can sometimes hear fluid in my jaw.
Sinus infection? Bacteria from smoking hookah? (stopped smoking hookah and cigars when symptoms appeared) Allergic reaction to cotton in my dress shirts? Is this something serious like cancer since i still have symptoms? Whats the next step or test?
Will look into scheduling an appointment with Ear nose and throat doctor.
Really starting to worry this is long term and serious issue. Starting to affect me mentally.
Brief Answer:
Relapse of IM
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.
I understand your concern.
I have gone through your attached reports.
Your symptoms reflect relapse of EBV infection-Infectious mononucleosis/IM
This might need prompt antiviral therapy to control your symptoms.
Symptoms cannot be attributed to an allergy to cotton or sinus infection or smoking hookah.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Relapse of IM
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.
I understand your concern.
I have gone through your attached reports.
Your symptoms reflect relapse of EBV infection-Infectious mononucleosis/IM
This might need prompt antiviral therapy to control your symptoms.
Symptoms cannot be attributed to an allergy to cotton or sinus infection or smoking hookah.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
There isn't any medication to improve Epstien-Barr though, correct?
It will just take time right?
It will just take time right?
Brief Answer:
No specific therapy
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.
I apologise for the delayed response.
Yes, there is no specific medication to treat EBV/IM.
One should avoid exposing other people to their body secretions because EBV remains viable in patients with EBV infectious mononucleosis for months after the initial infection.
These symptoms and relapses will subside with time.
In case of any relapses, a short course of antiviral and anti-inflammatory agents will help.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
No specific therapy
Detailed Answer:
Hello, Sir.
I apologise for the delayed response.
Yes, there is no specific medication to treat EBV/IM.
One should avoid exposing other people to their body secretions because EBV remains viable in patients with EBV infectious mononucleosis for months after the initial infection.
These symptoms and relapses will subside with time.
In case of any relapses, a short course of antiviral and anti-inflammatory agents will help.
Post your further queries if any.
Thank you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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