Minor sore throat, swollen glands and localized scalp sensitivity

[erom43]

I recently developed a strange set of symptoms....at least for me.  It started with a slight pain when swallowing, which felt like it was due to a swollen gland on the right side.  The swallowing pain was hardly noticable unless I was swallowing a hot or cold liquid.  Accompanying this symptom, was a localized area on my scalp, that was sensitive to the touch.  Located on the top right side of my head, the area was about three inches in diameter.  No pain, just sensitive when touched.  Additionally, there was occasional tenderness felt from the inner ear area of my right ear.  Again, mild and infrequent.
Symptoms occurred on day one, but day two were hardly noticable.  Reappeared on day three, four and five.  No other cold or flu like symptoms to speak of.  No coughing, sneezing, runny or stuffy nose, scratchy throat, post nasal drip, fever, headaches or excess fatigue to speak of.
The primary reason this concerns me, is that it is not typical.  Normally, if I get a cold or flu or sinus infection, it starts with a scratchy throat, followed by bad sore throat, coughing, sneezing, runny nose etc.  Never noticed the scalp tenderness before.  Open to any ideas or suggestions that readers might have.  Thanks.

[moosegoosecaboose]

SOLUTION (short answer): if you think it's herpes related like many on this thread do: Get a script for Valacyclovir or equivalent cold sore meds.

MORE DETAIL (my experience):
I have had repeatedly similar symptoms over the past couple years. It usually starts as pain/soreness under one side of my tongue near the back, then moves to my gums/throat on one side (like where my wisdom teeth used to be and back toward the throat). Sometimes it stops there and fades away after a day or 2. Sometimes it keeps going and my inner ear becomes painful/sore. Only about 3 times has it progressed to the scalp sensitivity, but when it has its exactly as described elsewhere on this page. Just a small spot atop my head, on the same side as the others.

When I first got these symptoms I consulted my aunt and uncle who are retired nurse practitioner and retired doctor respectively. Coincidentally, my uncle says he had a similar thing for years, and could never get a doctor to diagnose it. He concluded it must be related to herpes due to the hemispheric nature (occurring only on one side or the other). He got a prescription for Valacyclovir which is commonly used to treat cold sores caused by herpes. He said that trying to get an accurate diagnosis from a doctor would be difficult, because this is an uncommon condition. He recommended that I just go to my doctor and say I get cold sores a lot on my mouth and that OTC creams usually don't work.

In my case, my aunt (who was practicing at that time) prescribed me Valacyclovir HCL 1 gram tablets. I take 2 by mouth every 12 hours for 1 day (so 2 tablets, then 2 tablets 12 hours later, then done). This treatment has worked every time for me, and the symptoms are gone 12-24 hours after the 2nd dose. Hope this helps someone out there!

Here is a link to Mayo Clinics general intel on Valacycolvir. https://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/valacyclovir-oral-route/side-effects/drg-20066635?p=1

[moosegoosecaboose]

I thought I'd also mention there are a number of online services that sell Valacyclovir without an in person doctor visit. I use one but wont say the name bc I don't want this to look like spam or I'm supporting a particular business. Just google "Valacyclovir online" and you'll get ads for about 4 services that offer this. It may be less or more expensive than conventional routes depending on your insurance.

[Beth4444]

Look into TMJ...it can have a weird presentation.

[AS2411]

I think this is  directly related to herpes as this cluster of symptoms often appears a few days before a fever blister, and always on the same side.  The downside is that these are painful sensations (the ear ache, sore throat, and scalp pain as though someone pulled my hair), but the upside is that this is a fever blister warning that tells me to start my prevention regimen.  I take one Super Lysine+ supplement 4xs / day, and so long as I catch it early, I can usually prevent a cold sore from forming. I've also recently started applying lemon balm essential oil directly on my lips, which seemed effective last time I had a sore emerging (but didn't catch it early enough to start the Lysine in advance).  I had chicken pox relatively late in life (around age 12), and it was a very severe case. My understanding is that chicken pox, shingles, and herpes are all related. My advice: boost your immune system with an effective supplement.

[Theresa4340]

Exactly the same for me. Did not expect Google  to throw up and similar symptoms. All on the left side for me. It’s the top of  my head towards the left that is sore, my left ear and like a gland deep in my throat on the same side. One of the comments above suggests that it could be related to herpes and I think that might be right. I get very similar skin sensitively on my stomach and thighs that i realised after years was related to herpes (although ive never had any blisters).

[Aceallenk]

This is the same thing I am dealing with, and my second bout in 5 months. Has anyone got any update by any medical professional as to a remedy or solution..  Whatever the culprit it really sends me for a loop, starts with raw nasal passageways,  runny nose, headache, fever, swollen throat glands, tiredness,  and the sensitive scalp. The first time I came down with these flu/cold like conditions I blamed the sensitive scalp  on the possibility of freezing my scalp walking home getting the mail that time. Not the case this time around..  

[Theresa4340]

Exactly the same for me. Did not expect Google  to throw up and similar symptoms. All on the left side for me. It’s the top of  my head towards the left that is sore, my left ear and like a gland deep in my throat on the same side. One of the comments above suggests that it could be related to herpes and I think that might be right. I get very similar skin sensitively on my stomach and thighs that i realised after years was related to herpes (although ive never had any blisters).

[rd63]

Did anyone with these symptoms get checked for temporal arteritis or occipital neuralgia?

[ruthea45]

No, but that sounds like a logical idea if you can convince your M.D. that you are not nuts. I have not found any medical person that takes this discomforting symptom complaints that I have seriously.