how long does it last??

Question

if the lymph node on your neck swells up and its fighting an infection, how long is the longest amount of time it can stay swelled to be still fighting an infection?

Answer 1

Generally your lymph nodes will return to normal size within 2-4 weeks after the infection is gone. Sometimes it takes a bit longer. Several years ago, I was sick with an upper respiratory infection. I felt better in about 2 weeks except for a pain in my throat where I could feel a lump. My doctor did several tests since the lump was right by my thyroid. After each test came back normal, she sent me to an Ear, Nose, and Throat specialist. He looked down my throat with a scope (yuck!). He diagnosed me with a swollen lymph node. He explained it by saying that apparently the one lymph node somehow missed the "memo" that I was fine now and the sickness was gone. I had pain and swelling in that same lymph node for a little over 3 months and then I came down with strep throat. All my lymph nodes in my neck were swollen. When I began to feel better, I noticed that the lump in my throat was gone and so was the pain. I haven't had trouble with that since then.