Lymphadenitis

If you’ve ever had a sore throat and felt tender, swollen lumps in your neck, you’ve experienced your lymph nodes at work. These “swollen glands” are a common sign that your immune system is fighting an infection. However, when these nodes become inflamed and painful, the condition has a specific medical name: Lymphadenitis.

While alarming, lymphadenitis is most often a treatable response to a nearby infection. Understanding what it is, what’s causing it, and when to see a doctor is key to a fast recovery. This guide breaks down everything you need to know.

What Is Lymphadenitis?

Lymphadenitis is the medical term for the inflammation or swelling of one or more lymph nodes.

Your lymphatic system is a vital part of your immune system. It’s a network of vessels and nodes that carry a clear fluid called lymph. Your lymph nodes (which you have in your neck, armpits, groin, and elsewhere) act as tiny, biological filters. According to MedlinePlus, their job is to trap viruses, bacteria, and other harmful substances before they can spread.

When you have an infection, your lymph nodes go into overdrive, filling with immune cells (lymphocytes) to fight the invader. This causes them to swell and become inflamed.

It’s helpful to know two terms:

• Lymphadenopathy: This simply means swollen lymph nodes. The swelling is a symptom.
• Lymphadenitis: This is the inflammation of the node, usually caused by an infection that has traveled to the node itself, making it tender, warm, and painful.

Common Causes of Lymphadenitis

Lymphadenitis is almost always a reaction to an infection somewhere else in the body. The specific nodes that swell often point to the location of the problem. For example, a sore throat might cause inflamed nodes in the neck.

The most common causes of lymphadenitis include:

Bacterial Infections

This is the most frequent cause. The inflammation happens when a bacterial infection from a nearby area spreads to the lymph nodes.

• Strep Throat: Caused by Streptococcus bacteria.
• Skin Infections (Cellulitis): A staph (Staphylococcus) or strep infection from a cut or scrape.
• Ear Infections: Bacteria from the ear can drain to nearby lymph nodes.
• Cat-Scratch Fever: A bacterial infection (Bartonella henselae) spread by a cat scratch or bite.

Viral Infections

Many common viruses trigger a body-wide immune response, leading to swollen glands.

• The Common Cold or Flu
• Mononucleosis (“Mono”): Known for causing significant swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck.
• Measles, Mumps, or Rubella
• Other viral illnesses

Less Common Causes

• Fungal Infections: (e.g., histoplasmosis)
• Parasitic Infections: (e.g., toxoplasmosis)
• Autoimmune Conditions: In rare cases, conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can cause swollen nodes.
• Cancer: Cancers like lymphoma (cancer of the lymph system) or metastatic cancer (cancer that has spread to the lymph nodes) can cause nodes to swell. This is much less common and the nodes are typically hard, painless, and fixed in place.

Key Symptoms of Lymphadenitis

The primary sign is swollen, tender lymph nodes. Other symptoms depend on the cause but often include:

• Pain and Tenderness: The lymph nodes are sore to the touch.
• Redness or Warmth: The skin over the inflamed nodes may be red and feel warm.
• Hard or “Matted” Nodes: The nodes may feel firm or be clumped together.
• Pus Drainage: In severe bacterial infections, an abscess (a pocket of pus) may form, which can sometimes drain to the skin.

You may also have symptoms from the underlying illness that’s causing the lymphadenitis, such as:

• Fever and chills
• Sore throat
• Runny nose or cough
• Fatigue
• A skin rash or wound

Diagnosis: How Doctors Find the Cause

Because lymphadenitis is a symptom of another issue, your doctor’s goal is to find the root cause.

1. Medical History and Physical Exam: Your doctor will ask about your symptoms (like a recent sore throat or skin cut) and gently feel the nodes. They will check their size, location, tenderness, and texture (e.g., soft, firm, or hard).
2. Blood Tests: A complete blood count (CBC) can show a high white blood cell count, signaling an infection.
3. Imaging: An ultrasound or CT scan can help your doctor see the size of the nodes, determine if an abscess has formed, or look for other underlying causes.
4. Lymph Node Biopsy: If the swelling persists, has no clear cause, or if cancer is suspected, your doctor may perform a biopsy. This involves removing a small piece of the lymph node (or the whole node) to be examined in a lab.

Treatment Options for Lymphadenitis

The lymphadenitis treatment plan focuses on resolving the underlying infection and managing your symptoms.

• Bacterial Infections: If your doctor confirms a bacterial infection, the primary treatment is a course of antibiotics. It is crucial to take the full prescription, even if you start feeling better, to ensure the infection is completely gone.
• Viral Infections: Viruses do not respond to antibiotics. For viral causes like a cold or mono, treatment is supportive. This includes:
  • Rest: Give your body time to fight the infection.
  • Fluids: Stay well-hydrated.
  • Pain Relief: Over-the-counter pain relievers like ibuprofen (Advil) or acetaminophen (Tylenol) can reduce pain, fever, and inflammation.
• Home Care: You can help ease the discomfort of inflamed lymph nodes by applying a warm, wet compress to the affected area for 15 minutes, several times a day.
• Draining an Abscess: If an abscess has formed, your doctor may need to drain it. This is a minor procedure that involves making a small incision to let the pus out, providing immediate relief and helping the antibiotics work better.

Risk Factors

You may be at a higher risk for developing lymphadenitis if you have:

• A recent infection (e.g., strep throat, skin infection, ear infection)
• A cut, scrape, or wound that allows bacteria to enter the body
• An autoimmune condition
• A compromised immune system

Prevention Tips

While you can’t always prevent an infection, you can reduce your risk:

• Practice Good Hygiene: Wash your hands frequently with soap and water.
• Clean Wounds: Properly clean and bandage any cuts or scrapes to prevent skin infections.
• Avoid Infection: Try to avoid close contact with people who are sick with colds or the flu.
• Stay Vaccinated: Keep up-to-date on all recommended vaccinations, such as those for measles, mumps, and rubella.

When to See a Doctor

In most cases, swollen glands from a common cold will get better on their own in a week or two. However, you should see a doctor if your lymph nodes:

• Appear for no obvious reason (you don’t feel sick)
• Are very large, very painful, or bright red
• Feel hard, rubbery, and painless
• Are “fixed,” meaning they don’t move when you push on them
• Continue to get larger or last for more than two weeks
• Are accompanied by night sweats, fever, or unexplained weight loss

These can be signs of a more serious infection or a different underlying condition, and it’s important to get checked out.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health or treatment.

Published on November 1, 2023 and Last Updated on October 29, 2025 by: Priyank Pandey