In pediatrics, common causes are Mono (caused by Epstein-Barr or Cytomegalovirus), Herpes, Adenovirus and potentially Measles or Rubella (these are less prevalent in the US).Ĭommon infections such as strep throat, sinus and ear infections, or dental infections can also cause enlarged nodes. Notorious for presenting with enlarged and tender nodes. If a node is very tender (or seems to be causing increasing pain) or if it is painless, call your pediatrician.Įnlarged nodes associated with easy bruising, night sweats, fever > 1 week, weight loss, or excessive fatigue need to be evaluated.īoth local and systemic illnesses can cause lymph node enlargement. Inflammatory nodes responding to a trigger can be tender when pressed. If they have been present for longer than a month, they are worth having evaluated. Lymph nodes can sometimes stay enlarged for 2-4 weeks in association with a trigger. If you have enlarged nodes in multiple locations all over the body, this can be an indication of a more systemic or serious issue. It isn’t uncommon for lymph nodes to enlarge in the approximate location of a trigger (for example, in the neck when you have a cold).Ĭertain locations are more concerning: lymph nodes right above the collarbone, inside the elbow, or behind the knee require a call to your doctor. If they are fixed in place or hard, call your doctor. In general, inflammatory nodes will move around under your fingers and feel rubbery. During an infection, they can increase to 1-2cm. Normal nodes are typically 3-8mm in diameter. These are the things you want to pay attention to: There are some pieces of information that are particularly helpful when trying to determine the cause (or the seriousness) of a swollen lymph node. Particularly in younger children who have robust immune responses, it is not unusual to have enlargement of lymph nodes around the head and neck in association with common daycare respiratory viruses. This is partly because they have slightly larger nodes, and also because they have less subcutaneous tissue (such as fat!) between the nodes and the skin.Ĭommon locations that parents notice these nodes are around the head and neck, under the arms, or in the groin. Nodes in children are usually more noticeable than in adults even at baseline. Fun Fact:Tonsils are also made of lymph tissue, which is why they can get larger when you are sick After the illness or infection is over, they return to their original size. They are found in clusters and get bigger when they respond to environmental or other immune triggers.
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