What Causes Enlarged Cervical Lymph Nodes?

Posted on Mon, 20 Apr 2015

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

Mon, 20 Apr 2015 Answered on

Mon, 11 May 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Swollen gland just popped up under my chin on the left side. nose running - swallowing affected (spelling?) but not difficult - under tongue sensitive

Answered by Dr. Dr. Michelle Gibson (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
likely enlarged cervical lymph nodes

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

With a history of runny nose, change in swallowing then it is likely that you have an acute viral upper respiratory tract infection (Common cold or flu).

This can cause enlargement of cervical lymph nodes. The lymph nodes respond to infection/inflammation at different points of the body.
The cervical lymph nodes respond to upper respiratory tract infections.

Some of these nodes are located under the chin.

It can take up to 6 weeks, in some cases, for these nodes to reduce in size after the infection has resolved though many persons can have resolution in 1 to 2 weeks.

I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions

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