Chills and Potentially Infected Cyst on My Neck
I’m a 30-year-old male providing some background on my situation. Recently, I visited urgent care due to a painful, red, and warm lump on my neck — a condition I've documented in an image. The healthcare provider prescribed a course of antibiotics, which I haven’t filled yet, but I definitely intend to follow through with the medication. What’s concerning for me is the onset of chills and diarrhea I’ve experienced since this morning. Luckily, I don’t have an actual fever, with my temperature hovering around 98.9 degrees. If my symptoms escalate and I develop a real fever, should I head to the emergency room, or would it be better to start the antibiotics and see if they help over the next few days?
Answers (1)
8/1/2025, 8:02:10 PM
OpenHealth AI
It sounds like you're dealing with a concerning situation involving a potentially infected cyst and the new symptoms of chills and diarrhea. Here’s a structured response to your concerns:
Main Points:
- Starting Antibiotics: It’s important to start the antibiotics as prescribed.
- Monitoring Symptoms: Keep an eye on your symptoms, especially for any signs of escalation.
- When to Seek Help: A new fever or worsening symptoms warrants immediate medical attention.
Explanation:
The lump on your neck could be an abscess or an infected cyst, which often requires antibiotics to help resolve. Your chills and diarrhea are new symptoms that could suggest your body is fighting an infection, but they also need to be monitored closely. The absence of a true fever currently is reassuring, but your elevated temperature and other symptoms do require attention.
Next Steps:
-
Start Your Antibiotics: Fill your prescription and begin taking the antibiotics as directed. This is crucial for addressing the infection.
-
Monitor Symptoms:
- Keep track of any changes, particularly:
- Development of a fever (above 100.4°F or 38°C)
- Increased redness, warmth, or swelling around the lump
- Worsening chills or diarrhea (especially if it becomes severe)
- Keep track of any changes, particularly:
-
Stay Hydrated: Make sure to drink plenty of fluids, especially if you have diarrhea, to stay hydrated.
-
Seek Urgent Care:
- If you develop a fever, or if your chills and the lump's symptoms worsen significantly, seek medical help immediately.
- You should also seek help if you experience central abdominal pain, blood in your stool, or any other new concerning symptoms.
Taking these steps can help manage your current condition and prevent any complications. If you have more questions or concerns as you go through this, don’t hesitate to reach out for support.
Related Questions
Concern Over Double Dosage of Clonidine
My son, who is 19 years old, typically takes a nightly dose of 0.3mg of Clonidine along with 6mg of Melatonin. He is diagnosed with severe Autism, so either my husband or I are responsible for giving him his medication. Unfortunately, tonight he received an accidental double dosage of both medications. He stands at 6 feet 4 inches tall and weighs 325 pounds. Given the situation, should we seek immediate medical attention at urgent care? I am particularly worried about the possibility of his heart rate and blood pressure decreasing significantly throughout the night. I appreciate any advice you can provide.
Ninety-Year-Old Suffers Severe Shoulder Injury and Arm Trauma
A 90-year-old male has sustained a severe shoulder fracture, resulting in extensive bruising and hematoma across his arm. Recently, he began to ooze a light pink fluid, necessitating a change in bandages up to twice daily. Is this a common occurrence? The physician has advised that hospitalization won’t be beneficial. Additionally, he had been on anticoagulants for five days following his fall.
Seeking Guidance on Sudden Leg Swelling
Hello! My father-in-law has experienced some unusual swelling over the past few days, starting from his knee and progressing down to his foot. We're currently situated in California. He is a 65-year-old male weighing 200 pounds. The issue began yesterday, initially manifesting as a swelling that felt like a fluid-filled ball around his knee. By last night, he noticed significant swelling in his ankle, which has since extended down to his foot. We've observed some bruising at the base of his heel, but there was no trauma or injury; he simply noticed this upon waking up. We would greatly appreciate any insights into what might be causing this condition. His medical history includes taking medication for high blood pressure; however, he recently underwent a scan with his cardiologist and received a clean bill of health regarding his heart. Apart from his two daily blood pressure medications, he has no other ongoing health issues or medication. His blood pressure can be elevated at times, though it has never reached critical levels. Overall, he maintains a healthy lifestyle, engaging in regular exercise, abstaining from alcohol and tobacco, and following a nutritious diet.
Concern About Tetanus Exposure?
Greetings! I’m a 26-year-old female who had an incident while trying to open a large plastic water bottle with a handle. There was a sharp piece of plastic that caught my finger during the struggle to get it open. In the process of wrestling with the bottle, I ended up with a cut on my finger. I promptly cleaned the wound with soap and a disinfectant wipe, and I plan to apply some rubbing alcohol as well. Now, I’m worried about the possibility of tetanus infection. I’ve done some research on the topic, and it’s really heightened my anxiety. As a child, I received the standard tetanus vaccinations. It felt like the cut might be quite deep, but it's possible that the depth was affected by the force I used while opening the bottle. I’m currently at a camp where I help organize activities, so I don’t want to overreact, but I really need some reassurance about this situation. Thank you for your support!
Unexplained Fever Without Clear Symptoms
For the past month, I have been struggling with issues related to my gums, including swelling and the presence of bumps. I've visited the doctor three times as I am unable to see a dentist at the moment. During my first consultation, the physician confirmed that my temperature was within the normal range. However, on my second visit, a different doctor noted a slightly elevated temperature of 99.6°F and conducted a strep throat test, which returned negative. By my third appointment, the doctor reported my temperature had risen to 100.4°F. That visit occurred just a couple of days ago, and they opted not to run any blood tests, simply measuring my vital signs. Interestingly, I had no awareness of having a fever; I didn’t exhibit any feelings of illness, heat, or discomfort. Initially, I attributed my condition to my menstrual cycle, albeit I have never experienced a fever associated with that before. It wasn't until today that I began to notice symptoms. I feel unusually warm and slightly disoriented, even though I have the air conditioning on and an ice pack placed against my skin. At this point, I find myself puzzled by what could be causing these symptoms. As a 20-year-old with no prior experience of such a situation, this sudden emergence of fever is both surprising and concerning.