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What Causes Swollen And Tender Lymph Gland On One Side Of Neck?

Posted on Fri, 4 Sep 2015

Question: Hi, my friend, a female between of about 30 years of age, has a swollen and tender lymph gland on one side of her neck. It can be painful to the touch or just sore in general. It has been about nine days since symptoms started. A test for mononucleosis has come up negative. (She has had mono in the past) She also, at least twice now, wakes up at night with severe chills and has a difficult time feeling warm when this happens. The doctor does not have a diagnosis yet, but will be prescribing antibiotics, I think. She has asked the doctor(s) about cancer and they don't think it is cancer. Will you please offer an analysis of her symptoms. What else should she be asking her doctor(s) to check on? Thank you.

Answered by Dr. Saumya Mittal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Need biopsy

Detailed Answer:
Hi
I am Dr Mittal.
I have read your query.
I think I should tell you that the causes of lymph node enlargement are virtually endless.
Any infection and any malignancy can cause lymph node to become large.
Even inflammation can cause it to become bigger.
I will agree with your doctors to try and treat with antibiotics first.
If its an infection, it should come down. Very often, infections cannot be diagnosed.
If not, the best way would be to go ahead and get a lymph node biopsy.
That is the best way to know what is going on in the lymph node.
Since it would be wrong to get it done for an infection, get the antibiotics finished first.
Fever with chills, I would suggest ruling out malaria, tuberculosis, urine infection and lymphoma as well. All of them can cause lymph node to enlarge.All of them need a different set of medications, and not the conventional medications.
Best of luck.
Dr Mittal

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad