Symptoms:

Swelling of the tissues occurs rapidly and may block the airway or prevent swallowing of saliva.

Symptoms include:

• Breathing difficulty
• Confusion or other mental changes
• Fever
• Neck pain
• Neck swelling
• Redness of the neck
• Weakness, fatigue, excessive tiredness

Additional symptoms that may be associated with this disease:

• Earache
• Drooling

Signs and tests:

An examination of the neck and head shows redness and swelling of the upper neck, under the chin. The swelling may reach to the floor of the mouth. The tongue may be swollen or out of place.

A CT scan of the neck may be recommended. Culture of fluid from the tissues may show bacteria.