Your neck feels tender and swollen. The pain is intense, and touching it only makes it hurt worse.
“Oh no,” you think. “It feels like I have golf balls in my neck. What’s wrong with me?”
Chances are, you’ve got swollen lymph nodes -- and that’s anything but fun.
Lymph nodes are part of the body’s system for fighting infection. They’re like Venus fly traps, catching anything perceived as a threat. So when the body is fighting off foreign germs, they swell.
To understand this concept, it’s essential to know just what a lymph node is. Though lymph nodes may seem minor, they actually play a major role in protecting health. Lymph nodes are small, round clusters of cells that contain macrophages and lymphocytes, which capture invading germs and break them down.
Interestingly, lymph nodes are like organized little cities. They have specific jobs in the body’s health and are grouped together to drain specific areas of the body.
This is why lymph nodes in specific regions of the body swell. In fact, the location of swollen lymph nodes may indicate the cause. Though they're located throughout the body, swelling usually is most noticeable in areas like the neck, chin, armpits and groin.
There are many reasons why lymph nodes swell. Check out these seven conditions that can cause swollen lymph nodes.
1. Ear Infection
It’s no secret that pain is a hallmark of ear infections. But they also cause swollen lymph nodes. According to the Mayo Clinic, an ear infection (acute otitis media) results from a bacterial or viral infection in the middle ear, the air-filled space behind the eardrum that contains the tiny, vibrating bones of the ear. Inflammation and fluid buildup often occur around the middle of the ear, causing pain. Though ear infections can resolve themselves, antibiotics are often required. This is especially true for infant ear infections. It's important to seek medical attention for ear pain that doesn't subside.
2. Mono
Ever heard of “the kissing disease?” That’s mononucleosis, and one of the signs of mono is swollen lymph nodes. According to the Mayo Clinic, the mono virus is transmitted through saliva, so kissing can transmit it, but so can a cough, sneeze, or sharing a glass or food utensils with someone who has mono. The good news is that mono isn’t spread as easily as a cold. And really, it’s most common in young people. So your chances of getting it are less as an adult. It’s also important to note that mono can incubate for long periods of time (usually four to six weeks). So you might not know you’ve got it for a while.
Along with swollen lymph nodes, the signs of mono can include fatigue, an all-over sick feeling, a sore throat (especially one that doesn’t respond to antibiotics), fever, enlarged tonsils, headache, rash and an enlarged spleen. Fever and sore throat can subside in two weeks, whereas swollen lymph nodes and an enlarged spleen can linger.
To recover from mono, two things are essential: fluids and plenty of sleep. In addition, it’s important to watch for spleen swelling. And of course, see a doctor as soon as possible if mono is suspected.
3. HIV
Though we don’t hear about HIV as much as we did in the '80s and '90s, it still exists. And swollen lymph nodes is one of its symptoms. Because HIV can lay dormant for years, it’s an important infection to rule out when it comes to sickness in general.So just what are the symptoms of HIV?
According to the New York State HIV/AIDS Information Service, “Upon primary HIV infection, many people report a flu-like or mononucleosis-like illness, with a variety of symptoms, the most common being rashes of the skin, fever, swollen lymph nodes, pharyngitis, oral or genital ulcers, pain in the joints or muscles, diarrhea, headache, nausea, vomiting, and malaise usually within 2 to 6 weeks after exposure to the virus. At this time, the lymph nodes (organs of the immune system) can become swollen and tender (swollen glands), and easily felt in either the neck, under the armpits or groin area.”
However, these symptoms often go away in two to three weeks. That’s why HIV can be misdiagnosed in many cases. It’s also important to know that viral load can be high upon initial infection with HIV. That said, the infection may not come out of dormancy for 10 or more years. This is when swollen lymph nodes become an important sign of HIV infection.
“As the infection process progresses and the immune system deteriorates, many complications begin to arise. One of the first such symptoms in HIV-infected individuals is the enlargement of the lymph nodes, or more commonly referred to as swollen glands, which can persist for more than three months,” according to the New York State HIV/AIDS Information Service.
The good news is that there are now many treatments for HIV, and it's easy and fast to find out your status. Many facilities can do rapid tests where you’ll get results within minutes.
4. Cancer
Though no one wants to think of the possibility of having cancer, cancer is a reality of life. And one of the signs of cancer can be swollen lymph nodes. It may start in the lymphatic system or spread from another location in the body. When cancer begins in the lymph nodes, it’s referred to as lymphoma.
“When cancer cells break away from a tumor, they can travel to other areas of the body through either the bloodstream or the lymph system. Cancer cells can travel through the bloodstream to reach distant organs. If they travel through the lymph system, the cancer cells may end up in lymph nodes,” according to the American Cancer Society. When it comes to unexplained swollen lymph nodes, always see a doctor to rule out cancer. After all, early treatment is the best way to beat “the big C.”
5. Colds and Viral Infections
Colds are no fun. Not only can they cause hacking, but they also can cause lymph nodes to become painful and tender. According to the Mayo Clinic, viral infections like the common cold are the most common causes of swollen lymph nodes. A bad cold accompanied by pain or congestion in the chest should warrant a doctor visit. They can be signs of pneumonia, which requires immediate medical observation.
6. Tonsillitis
Tonsillitis is a painful thing. It makes swallowing feel next to impossible. In addition, tonsillitis can cause lymph nodes to swell. According to the Mayo Clinic, tonsillitis is inflammation of the tonsils, small spots of tissue on either side of the throat. Symptoms of tonsillitis can include enlarged tonsils, a sore throat, trouble swallowing, and of course, swollen lymph nodes. When it comes to tonsillitis, a doctor will determine if the infection is viral or bacterial, which requires antibiotic treatment. In addition, some cases of tonsillitis require surgery to remove the tonsils.
7. Abscessed Tooth
An abscess can result in pain, and this can cause lymph nodes to swell. According to the U.S. National Library of Medicine, “A tooth abscess is a complication of tooth decay. It may also occur when a tooth is broken or chipped. Openings in the tooth enamel allow bacteria to infect the center of the tooth (the pulp). Infection may spread from the root of the tooth to the bones supporting the tooth.” The most noticeable symptom of an abscessed tooth is a toothache. However, fever, bad breath, gum swelling, jaw swelling and swollen glands are common. If you suspect a tooth abscess, see your dentist immediately. Allowing an infection to go untreated can make the situation worse.
The lymphatic system is the body's way of sounding the alarm that something's wrong. Listen to the alarm and seek medical attention when lymph nodes swell.