Cervical Adenitis

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KEY POINTS

• Cervical adenitis (lymphadenitis) is inflammation (swelling) of a lymph node in the neck.
• This is a common condition in children and is usually caused by a viral infection.
• Most cases of cervical adenitis do not require treatment. More serious infections caused by bacteria may be treated with antibiotic medicine.

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What is cervical adenitis?

Cervical adenitis is inflammation (swelling) of a lymph node in the neck. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped organs. They are part of the lymph system and can be found in groups or just one by itself. The lymph system is part of your body's system for fighting infection. The lymph system consists of lymph nodes that store blood cells (lymphocytes) to fight infection and vessels that carry fluid, nutrients, and wastes between your body and your bloodstream.

Another term for this infection is cervical lymphadenitis.

What is the cause?

Cervical adenitis is common in children. It is usually caused by a viral upper respiratory illness (URI).

Viruses or bacteria in the nose, tonsils, throat, ears, and skin can spread to the lymph nodes and cause an infection. Bacteria may also spread from an infected tooth or from an infection in another part of the body. Cat scratch disease can cause lymph node swelling. Some cancers can cause cervical adenitis.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include:

• Swelling and tenderness of one or more lymph nodes
• Sore or red skin in the area of the affected lymph nodes
• Fever
• Pain when you swallow
• Pain when you move your neck

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms and medical history and examine you. You may have blood tests to look for signs of infection. You may have a swab of your throat. If the node is very swollen or you have fever, pain, and difficulty moving your neck, you may need:

• An ultrasound, which uses sound waves to show pictures of the lymph nodes
• A CT scan, which uses X-rays and a computer to show detailed pictures of the neck

How is it treated?

Most cases do not need to be treated. Your health care provider may watch you for changes when lymph nodes are small and not red or sore, and when they have been swollen for less than 2 weeks.

You may need antibiotic medicine if the lymph nodes are large, when they are on just one side of your body, or if they are red and sore.

More severe infections may need to be treated with IV antibiotics in the hospital. If the infection becomes an abscess and is full of pus, the infection may need to be opened and drained.

If there is so much swelling that the infection is pressing on your throat or windpipe, you may need to stay in the hospital until the swelling has gone down.

How can I take care of myself?

• Drink enough liquids to keep your urine light yellow in color.
• Wash your hands often and especially after using the restroom, coughing, sneezing, or blowing your nose. Also wash your hands before eating or touching your eyes.
• Take nonprescription pain medicine, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Read the label and take as directed. Unless recommended by your healthcare provider, you should not take these medicines for more than 10 days.
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, may cause stomach bleeding and other problems. These risks increase with age.
• Acetaminophen may cause liver damage or other problems. Unless recommended by your provider, don't take more than 3000 milligrams (mg) in 24 hours. To make sure you don’t take too much, check other medicines you take to see if they also contain acetaminophen. Ask your provider if you need to avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.
• If you are given antibiotic medicine, take your antibiotics for as long as your healthcare provider prescribes, even if you feel better. If you stop taking the medicine too soon, you may not kill all of the bacteria and you may get sick again. If you have side effects from your medicine, talk to your healthcare provider.
• If your healthcare provider outlined the lymph node with a pen, tell your provider if the lymph node or redness is growing beyond the markings.
• If the infection was drained, follow your provider’s instructions for taking care of the wound.
• Ask your healthcare provider
  • How and when you will get your test results
  • How long it will take to recover
  • If there are activities you should avoid and when you can return to your normal activities
  • How to take care of yourself at home
  • What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them
• Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup.