Swollen glands

Category: General & Whole-Body Symptoms · All general symptoms

What it can feel like

Swollen glands means the lymph nodes — small filtering stations of the immune system in the neck, armpits, groin and elsewhere — have enlarged enough to feel, sometimes as tender lumps. It is usually a sign the immune system is busy dealing with an infection nearby.

Possible causes

A symptom can have many causes, and most are not serious. The lists below group conditions this symptom can be associated with — common causes first. They are possibilities to discuss with a clinician, not a diagnosis.

Common causes

Swollen glands can be associated with colds, sore throats, ear and tooth infections, skin infections and childhood viral illnesses. The nodes near the infection swell, feel tender, and shrink over two to three weeks as you recover.

Other possible causes

Glands that stay swollen, grow, feel hard and fixed, or appear in several places at once can be associated with longer-running infections such as glandular fever or tuberculosis, with immune conditions, and occasionally with lymphoma or other cancers.

Red flags — when to seek help promptly

A gland that keeps growing, feels hard, or does not move under the skin
Swollen glands together with unexplained weight loss, fever or drenching night sweats
A gland above the collarbone
Swollen glands that have not settled after three to four weeks
A neck swelling that affects breathing or swallowing

What a clinician may do

A clinician will feel the glands, ask about infections, fever, weight and medicines, and examine the area the glands drain — throat, ears, teeth or skin. Blood tests are common, and an ultrasound scan or a needle or surgical biopsy may be arranged if a gland persists.

Watch: related videos

Examination and clinical videos from the MedicalVideos.com library relevant to this symptom. Some clinical footage is graphic — that is the nature of a medical video library.

▶ WatchPediatric lymph nodesWatch on MedicalVideos.com ▶ WatchLymph nodes histologyWatch on MedicalVideos.com ▶ WatchHead lymph nodes examWatch on MedicalVideos.com

Related guides on MedicalVideos.com

Frequently asked questions

How long should swollen glands last?

Glands swollen by an ordinary infection usually shrink over two to three weeks, though a small node can remain feelable for longer. A gland that is still enlarged, or is growing, after about a month should be examined.

Are swollen glands in children normal?

Very common — children's immune systems meet new infections constantly, and neck glands are often up and down through the school years. Glands that grow rapidly, appear above the collarbone, or come with fever and weight loss should be checked promptly.

Related symptoms — General & Whole-Body Symptoms

Chills Excessive sweating Excessive thirst Fatigue Feeling cold all the time Feeling generally unwell (malaise)

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Please note: This page is educational information about a symptom. A symptom alone cannot diagnose any condition, and the causes listed here are possibilities, not a diagnosis. If you are worried about a symptom — especially one that is new, severe, getting worse or not going away — please see your own clinician, who can examine you and arrange tests. In an emergency, call your local emergency number.