# Argh, is this an ear infection?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-is-this-an-ear-infection/223705>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [January 9, 2004, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-is-this-an-ear-infection/223705 "2004-01-09T20:09:15Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![red\_dragon60](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ce73a5/32.png) [@red\_dragon60](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/red_dragon60)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-is-this-an-ear-infection/223705/1 "2004-01-09T20:09:15Z")

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To all the medically inclined dopers, please assist me in identifying my ailment! About five days ago, the right side of my throat started hurting. My right lymph node is swollen, while the left remains normal. I have not been experiencing any other symptoms aside from waking up with a pain inside my ear toward the inside of it where my jaw connects to my skull. I am taking 500mg amoxicillin for my skin daily, if that is any additional info.

Do I need to make a date with the doctor for a Z-pack? Thanks!

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**Author:** ![gcarroll](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/65b543/32.png) [@gcarroll](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gcarroll)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 8:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-is-this-an-ear-infection/223705/2 "2004-01-09T20:41:57Z")

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If it is, ear infections can move fast, so you need to see a doctor quickly.  
If it’s not, you need to see a doctor because it is something else badly wrong.  
If it’s an infection you got _while you are taking antibiotics_, you need to see a doctor about it pronto.

I seem to get the same result no matter how I look at this.

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**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\
**Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 11:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-is-this-an-ear-infection/223705/3 "2004-01-09T23:13:57Z")

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Go to the doctor now! It could be an infected gland, or other bits instead or or in addition to an ear infection. In any case it is nothing to mess with.

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**Author:** ![Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bosda_di_chi_of_tricor/32/16845_2.png) [@Bosda\_Di\_Chi\_of\_Tricor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bosda_Di_Chi_of_Tricor)\
**Post date:** [January 10, 2004, 12:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-is-this-an-ear-infection/223705/4 "2004-01-10T00:51:27Z")

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**Author:** ![Gremlyn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df788c/32.png) [@Gremlyn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gremlyn)\
**Post date:** [January 10, 2004, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/argh-is-this-an-ear-infection/223705/5 "2004-01-10T03:09:00Z")

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I’ve had those same symptoms before… lots. It always ends up being one of three things. Ear infection, abseced (sp?) tooth, or sinus infection. Could be a throat infection too for all we know… better go see a doc.