If the lymph nodes under the armpits or neck are swollen, this could be a sign of an infection.
But the following reasons are also possible.
Sensitive and swollen lymph nodes are an indication that the immune system is fighting against pathogens.
Enlarged lymph nodes are usually discovered when the person concerned is examined by the doctor for another symptom - for example due to a fever.
Most swollen lymph nodes can be traced back to harmless causes such as a viral infection *, as the Deutsche Familienversicherung (DFV) informs.
A visit to the doctor is advisable if the nodes have swollen for more than three weeks without you noticing other symptoms of the infection, such as sore throat and fatigue.
Even if the lymph nodes are only swollen on one side, for example in the right armpit, the DFV recommends going to a doctor.
The same applies to unwanted weight loss or night sweats that occur at the same time.
Even if a lymph node is very painful or pus leaks,
the person affected should consult a doctor immediately
, informs the specialist portal MSD Manual.
Possible causes of swollen lymph nodes, as reported by the MSD Manual and the DFV:
Viral infections such as measles, glandular fever or an HIV infection
Upper respiratory tract infections such as tonsillitis
Other bacterial infections such as Lyme disease, gingivitis, chlamydia, or diphtheria
Infections of the tissues near the swollen lymph nodes
Rheumatoid arthritis
Lymph node swelling for no apparent reason (idiopathic lymphadenopathy): This usually goes away on its own without harming the patient.
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Swollen lymph nodes are very rarely a sign of cancer
Most swollen lymph nodes are caused by a harmless viral or bacterial infection, but cancers could also be associated with enlarged lymph nodes.
The swelling can indicate leukemia, lymph gland cancer or lymph node metastases, as the German family insurance company informs.
However, in very few cases,
cancer is
behind swollen lymph nodes
: It is estimated that less than one percent of people with swollen lymph nodes should receive a cancer diagnosis, according to the MSD Manual.
+
Do you feel tired and exhausted and the lymph nodes in your neck are swollen?
A sign of an infection that the body is fighting.
The following pathogens are often the trigger.
© LOUIS CHRISTIAN / www.imago-images.de
As an important part of the human immune system, the 700 or so lymph nodes that are distributed throughout the body control the lymph fluid for potentially pathogenic components.
Bacteria, viruses, but also cancer cells are usually filtered out in the lymph nodes and can no longer spread through the blood in the body.
Among other things, the B- and T-lymphocytes, cells of the immune system that are located in the lymph nodes, are important here
.
These render pathogens in the lymphatic fluid harmless by stimulating the production of antibodies.
As a result, there is swelling of the lymph nodes, as the German Center for Infection Research informs.
(jg) * Merkur.de is part of the Germany-wide Ippen-Digital editors network.
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List of rubric lists: © LOUIS CHRISTIAN via www.imago-images.de