Symptoms:

Swelling of the tissues occurs quickly. It may block the airway or prevent you from swallowing saliva.

Symptoms include:

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

Other symptoms that may occur with this disease:

• Difficulty swallowing
• Drooling
• Earache
• Speech that is unusual and sounds like the person has a "hot potato" in the mouth

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.