My child has very swollen lymph nodes. Should I take him to the doctor immediately?

Answer 1

Yes.

Read below...


The term "swollen glands" refers to enlargement of one or more lymph nodes.

In a child, a node is enlarged if it is larger than one centimeter (0.4 inch) in diameter.

See also lymphadenitis and lymphangitis.

Considerations

Lymph nodes are glands that play an important part in your body's defense against infection. They produce lymph, which travels throughout your body in the lymph system, and filters impurities from the body.

Common areas where the lymph nodes can be felt (with the fingers) include:

Groin
Armpit
Neck (there is a chain of lymph nodes on either side of the front of the neck, both sides of the neck, and down each side of the back of the neck)
Under the jaw and chin
Behind the ears
On the back of the head
Lymph nodes can become swollen from infection, inflammatory conditions, an abscess, or cancer. Other causes of enlarged lymph nodes are rare. By far, the most common cause of swollen lymph nodes is infection.

When swelling appears suddenly and is painful, it is usually caused by injury or an infection. Enlargement that comes on gradually and painlessly may, in some cases, result from cancer or a tumor.

Common Causes

Infections that commonly cause swollen lymph nodes include mononucleosis, German measles (rubella), tuberculosis, mumps, ear infection, tonsillitis, an abscessed or impacted tooth, gingivitis (swelling of the gums), mouth sores, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Immune or autoimmune disorders that can cause swollen lymph nodes include rheumatoid arthritis and HIV. Cancers that can cause swollen glands include leukemia, Hodgkin's disease, or non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

Which lymph nodes are swollen depends on the type of problem and the body parts involved. Identifying the location can help determine the possible cause.

Swollen lymph nodes may also be caused by some medications (like phenytoin for seizures) or certain vaccinations (namely, typhoid).

Home Care

Soreness in lymph glands usually disappears in a couple of days without treatment, but the nodes may not return to normal size for several weeks after the infection has cleared. Generally, if glands are painful, it is because they swell rapidly in the early stages of fighting an infection.

Call your health care provider if

Call your doctor if:

Your glands don’t get smaller after several weeks or continue to get larger.
Your swollen glands are red and tender.
Your glands feel hard, irregular, or fixed in place.
You have a fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss.
Any node in a child is larger than 1cm in diameter.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

Your doctor will perform a physical examination, checking all of your palpable lymph nodes for size, texture, warmth, tenderness, and other features.

Your doctor may ask the following medical history questions:

Which nodes are affected?
Is the swelling the same on both sides?
When did the swelling begin?
How long has it lasted (how many months or weeks)?
Did it begin suddenly or did it develop gradually?
Is the swelling increasing in size?
Are the number of nodes that are swollen increasing?
Are any of the swollen nodes painful or tender when you gently press on them?
Is the skin over or around the nodes red?
Have you had any other symptoms?
The following diagnostic tests may be performed:

Blood tests including liver function tests, kidney function tests, and CBC with differential
lymph node biopsy
chest x-ray
liver-spleen scan

Answer 2

There are tons of things that can cause swollen lymph glands, and many of them are not at all a big deal.

Since you didn't give any other details about symptoms, all I can say is that if you have the option, you should call a NurseLine and get some professional advice. Or maybe stop in at some place like MinuteClinic and just have someone take a look at your son.

Answer 3

If your child has swollen lymph nodes you definently need to take Him or Her to the doctor A.S.A.P, Because that could cause problems with Blood circulation. So you should do something about that.

Answer 4

Yes. Additionally, you did not give enough details. Take the child to a doctor immediately.

Answer 5

I would. I had that once and I needed antibiotics for a mouth abscess. You could call the office and see if the doctor can advice you him/herself, but they will probably have you come in.

Answer 6

no? colds, normal immune system functions... all sorts of non threatning things cause your glands to swell.

If he's running a fever, and other wise ill, then yeah, make an appointment to make sure its not strep. But generally there would be white pus blobs on his tonsils if it were.

Answer 7

yes

Answer 8

hypothyroid. duh. if youre not fat yet, enjoy what time you have not being fat, because in a few years you will be huge. no matter what you eat, or how you exercise you will stay a fat slob. sorry. truth hurts sometimes.