In conjunction with a headcold, I recently experienced a swollen gland in the mandible (jawline) - the supramandibular, which caused further swelling up in the cheek area - in the buccinator gland (thank goodness for internet where we can actually learn the names of these glands!) I felt like the elephant woman on one side with minor pain and discomfort. The first lot of antibiotics didn't work so a second stronger lot seemed to reduce the swelling but the specialist indicated that it may have been viral and just had to run its course rather than the antibiotics actually working. Can anyone tell me how this infection occurs and what is actually happening as my cheek area is still very tender and it's now 2 weeks later. Can an infection still be there? Cheers GeckoGal65