Why do throat glands swell

Pus contains fluid, white blood cells, dead tissue, and bacteria or other invaders. An abscess may require drainage and antibiotic treatment. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Overview Lymph node locations Open pop-up dialog box Close. Lymph node locations Your lymph nodes play a vital role in your body's ability to fight off infections. Swollen lymph nodes Open pop-up dialog box Close. Swollen lymph nodes One of the most common places to find swollen lymph nodes is in the neck.

Request an Appointment at Mayo Clinic. Share on: Facebook Twitter. Show references Fletcher RH. Evaluation of peripheral lymphadenopathy in adults. Call your doctor if your cold causes breathing difficulties or if you have other severe symptoms, such as a really sore throat, sinus pain, or an earache.

If your newborn is sick, call the doctor for a fever at or above Like a cold, influenza is a common viral respiratory infection. The influenza virus is different than viruses that cause the common cold. However, their symptoms are almost the same. Usually flu develops more abruptly and symptoms are more severe. Sometimes antiviral medication can treat flu by reducing the viral activity, but it usually resolves on its own.

Home treatment includes pain relieving medication, lots of fluids and rest. People at risk of complications from flu are young children, senior adults, and anyone with chronic health conditions who have a weakened immune system. Rarely, flu can cause serious and fatal health problems. The most common bacterial throat infection is strep throat , also called Streptococcal pharyngitis.

Strep throat can be hard to distinguish from a cold. If you have severe throat pain and a fever, see a doctor for urgent diagnosis and treatment. Strep throat is diagnosed with a swab to test for Streptococcal bacterial cells. Sore throats, swollen glands in the neck, and ear infections often go together. One reason is because a sore throat and congestion can cause or be associated with an ear infection.

Another reason is because the presence of an ear infection can cause the glands to swell in response, and pain can radiate into the throat and mouth. Ear infections are common but need to be treated by a doctor. A doctor will diagnose if the infection is likely viral or bacterial and can offer proper treatment. Ear infections are usually not serious, however severe cases can cause long-term problems like brain damage and hearing loss.

Measles is a viral infection. Symptoms include:. Measles is usually prevented by a vaccine. Measles needs to be treated by a doctor, as it can have potentially serious complications. Similar to an ear infection, the location and presence of infection in a tooth can cause a sore throat and swollen glands. The lymph nodes swell in response to the tooth and you can feel the pain throughout your mouth and throat.

If the swelling continues for several weeks or a person has other warning signs, a doctor may recommend a lymph node biopsy. During this procedure, the doctor will numb the area, make a small cut, and remove a section of lymph node tissue to send to a laboratory for examination under a microscope.

Alternatively, they may opt for fine needle aspiration, which involves using a needle to remove some cells from the lymph node for analysis. Lymph node swelling will usually disappear once the infection clears. The swelling may also go away when the person takes prescribed medications, such as antibiotics or antivirals.

If an underlying medical condition is responsible for the lymph nodes swelling, treating this condition should reduce the swelling. Swollen lymph nodes are usually a symptom of another condition, such as an infection, and they tend to resolve on their own within several weeks. It is best to consult a doctor if swollen lymph nodes persist for longer than 3 weeks or occur alongside other symptoms, such as high fever, abdominal pain, or night sweats.

The cause of the swelling will determine the treatment. Read the article in Spanish. A lump under the chin may be hard or soft, and tender or painless.

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Lumps behind the ear might be bumps in the skin, such as those caused by acne or cysts. Lumps can also indicate mastoiditis or enlarged lymph nodes…. Armpit lumps are usually harmless and caused by a swollen lymph node or gland. However, some armpit lumps can indicate a more serious condition, such….

Why are my lymph nodes swollen? Glands known as lymph glands or lymph nodes swell near an infection to help your body fight it. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one. Go to A GP will be able to recommend treatment depending on the cause, which might include antibiotics antibiotics do not work on viral infections.