Lymphadenitis

This advice has been written for safety netting advice after your child has been assessed by a healthcare professional.

Lymphadenitis is inflammation (swelling) of the lymph nodes (glands) caused by infection. The lymph nodes are an important part of the immune system and contain cells which help to fight infection. An inflamed lymph node may be painful. The skin overlying it may be red and warm to touch.

Symptoms

  • Fever may be present
  • Warm, tender enlarged lymph node on one side (usually in the neck, but can also be in the arm pit or groin)
  • Skin redness over the lymph nodes

Causes

Lymphadenitis in children often occurs in the neck area because these lymph nodes are close to the ears and throat, which are frequent locations of infections in children.

A single enlarged, painful lymph node is likely to be caused by bacterial infection, which will need antibiotic treatment. If your child has multiple swollen lymph nodes, this is more suggestive of a viral infection which is unlikely to require antibiotic

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(N.B: The Family and Therapies team at ABUHB is NOT responsible for the content on the webpage links that we refer to in our resource sections and linked information to external sites. All information was accurate and appropriate at the time the webpage was created.)

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