Suggest Treatment For Swollen Neck Lymph Nodes

Posted on Fri, 11 Dec 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 11 Dec 2015 Answered on

Mon, 4 Jan 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I can feel my 2 year olds lymph nodes in her neck, it's about a size of a pea and I can move it around? Is this normal or should I be concerned?

Thanks

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please consult pediatrician and confirm that it is swollen neck lymph nodes

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.

I have read through your query in detail.
Please find my observations below.

1. At first you should get it confirmed whether the pea sized structures are indeed lymph nodes. It is important to consult a pediatrician and bring to the notice the possible enlarged lymph nodes in the neck.

2. Lymph nodes are structures which are part of the defense mechanism in us against disease. Enlargement of lymph nodes occurs when the body is defending itself from probably disease conditions.

3. Please take note whether the lymph nodes are painful or not. Painful lymph nodes usually mean there is an acute infection. Painless lymph nodes are seen in chronic conditions. If confirmed to be lymph nodes then it is a concern until it has been investigated in detail and the cause is confirmed.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Vivek Chail (9 minutes later)

Thank you for your response, by chronic do you mean cancer? I'm sorry I'm scared and it freaks me out to think of my little one with cancer. She did have a virus a little over a week ago and had a really bad sore throat, could that have caused this? It's the size of a pea and I can move it....is that a bad sign?

Answered by Dr. Vivek Chail (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
A virus attack and sore throat can cause enlarged lymph nodes

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.

1. I am sorry if my earlier reply got you worked up. Chronic can mean a chronic infection and cancers are rare. Hope your little one does not have any such condition and she recovers soon.

2. If your child had a viral fever and sore throat a week back then the lymph nodes can result from the illness.

3. Pea sized lymph nodes are small and not a bad sign but a proper clinical examination is required to clinically assess for lymph node enlargement.

Hope your query is answered.
Please do write back if you have any doubts.

Regards,

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar