How long lymph nodes swollen after infection

A GP will be able to recommend treatment depending on the cause, which might include antibiotics antibiotics do not work on viral infections. Page last reviewed: 25 September Next review due: 25 September Swollen glands. Check if your glands are swollen Swollen glands feel like tender, painful lumps: on each side of the neck under the chin in the armpits around the groin Glands known as lymph glands or lymph nodes swell near an infection to help your body fight it.

However, because of this, swollen lymph nodes can easily be mistaken as harmless when in fact they could be a warning sign of something more serious, such as blood cancer.

He thought it was tonsillitis, so gave me antibiotics. However, at the end of the week, I was no better. I went back and was signed off again with a different antibiotic.

Certain characteristics such as the size of the lymph nodes, the way they feel or how long they last can help to differentiate swelling caused by infection from that caused by leukaemia or another type of blood cancer. Spotting the difference between harmless and harmful lymph nodes may be crucial in diagnosing leukaemia early. Although swollen lymph nodes are nearly always caused by infection or reaction to an allergy, there are a few things you can look out for to help spot the difference between leukaemia and infection:.

After a couple of weeks of it not going down, I made an appointment to see the doctor. I was at work one day and the chap on the desk next to me said it like it was getting bigger, so I went along to my doctor. I also lost weight, I had enlarged lymph nodes and I was very emotional. Lymph nodes are small, kidney bean-shaped structures that are found in grape-like clusters throughout the entire body. They are a part of the lymphatic system, which carries fluid called lymph around the body.

Common sites for swollen lymph nodes include the neck, groin, and underarms. When lymph nodes swell in two or more areas of the body, it is called generalized lymphadenopathy.

This may be caused by:. Treatment for swollen glands focuses on treating the cause. For example, a bacterial infection may be treated with antibiotics, while a viral infection often goes away on its own.

If cancer is suspected, a biopsy may be done to confirm the diagnosis. Any swollen lymph nodes that don't go away or return to normal size within about a month should be checked by your doctor.

Lymph nodes may remain swollen or firm long after an initial infection is gone. This is especially true in children, whose glands may decrease in size while remaining firm and visible for many weeks. Russo MD - Internal Medicine.

Author: Healthwise Staff. This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise, Incorporated, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. When a person has no symptoms of infection, the swelling often goes away on its own. When infections cause a reactive lymph node, a person may require antibiotics. More severe infections may require a person to stay in the hospital or receive antibiotics through an intravenous needle.

People with weak immune systems may also need to stay in the hospital, even for relatively minor infections. Treatments are available for many forms of cancer, particularly if a doctor diagnoses them early. Depending on the type of cancer a person has, a doctor may recommend removing the lymph nodes, chemotherapy , or radiation. A person with swollen lymph nodes should not avoid the doctor because they fear cancer.

Delaying treatment gives the cancer time to grow and get worse. Swollen lymph nodes can be alarming, especially if the cause of the swelling is unclear. People who have HIV or AIDS , who take immune system-suppressing drugs, or whose doctors have told them they have a weak immune system, should call the doctor if their lymph nodes swell.

For most people, it is safe to wait for 1—2 weeks to see if symptoms go away. See a doctor within a day or two if any of the following occur:. If a person has no signs of an infection, a swollen lymph node might be a sign that the body has successfully fought off an infection. It is safe to wait for about 2 weeks to see if the swelling decreases. If the swelling does not go away, or if the lymph node is hard or larger than 1.

Lymph nodes swell for many reasons, most of which are relatively harmless. A doctor can help with determining whether a person has a serious infection that warrants treatment, as well as assessing for other potential causes of reactive lymph nodes.