I have wisdom tooth pain. Can it cause swollen lymph nodes?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am a 20-year-old female, 5 feet 5 inches tall, and approximately 105 pounds. Around two weeks ago, I started experiencing pain from my left wisdom tooth coming in. It has been consistently painful since then. Also, about two weeks ago, I had protected sex, but I believe there was some skin-to-skin contact (no kissing involved).

Four days ago, I noticed swelling in the lymph node on the right side of my neck. It is not painful or tender, but it feels somewhat hard. I have read that an untreated wisdom tooth can become infected and potentially cause lymph node swelling.

However, on the same day my lymph nodes swelled, I began experiencing headaches, mild vertigo, and pain in my left ear (which I have had before due to ear infections). A few days before my lymph nodes swelled, I also developed a canker sore on the inside of my lower lip. I suspect this was due to inadequate oral hygiene, not herpes, as it was a single sore and not in clusters.

The canker sore lasted for two to three days, and as soon as it healed, another one appeared in a different spot. I improved my oral hygiene, and I am monitoring if more sores appear. I have checked my genital area, and I have not noticed any bumps, pimples, ulcers, open wounds, or itching.

Two months ago, I had a threesome with a guy and a girl. The guy showed us his STD test results, which were clean, and we used condoms. However, there was sexual contact between the girl and me, and I did not think she had any infections.

Could my current symptoms be related to an infection I might have contracted from her during the threesome, or are they more likely linked to my wisdom tooth?

I am concerned about the possibility of syphilis, HIV or AIDS, herpes, or another infection.

Please help.

Thank you in advance.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern.

Your symptoms could be attributed to either an ear or an oral infection. It is important to note that herpes typically does not cause swollen lymph nodes; it usually manifests as small, painful vesicles around and on the lips. Your wisdom tooth might contribute to inflammation in the surrounding area, but it does not appear infected.

However, wisdom teeth can cause pain when they erupt, and it may be advisable to have them removed. For treatment, I suggest the following:

Take the tablet Azithromycin 500 mg (for example, Azithral, Azipro, or Azee) once daily for five days.
I suggest you take the tablet Combiflam (Ibuprofen 400 mg and Paracetamol 325 mg) as needed, up to twice daily for five days.
Take a B-complex forte once daily.
Rinse your mouth frequently with Chlorhexidine Mouthwash.
Apply Ulgel (Magaldrate 540 mg, Oxetacaine 10 mg, and Simethicone 50 mg) over the ulcers.
Regarding HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), while it is less likely given your symptoms, a laboratory-based HIV test can conclusively rule it out.

I hope this helps.

Please feel free to ask if you have any further questions.

Thank you.