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Swollen glands

Alternative Names:

Glands - swollen; Swollen lymph nodes; Lymph nodes - swollen

Home Care:

Soreness in lymph glands usually disappears in a couple of days without treatment, but the nodes may not return to normal size for several weeks after the infection has cleared. Generally, if glands are painful, it is because they swell rapidly in the early stages of fighting an infection.

Call your health care provider if:

Call your doctor if:

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

Your doctor will perform a physical examination, checking all of your palpable lymph nodes for size, texture, warmth, tenderness, and other features.

Your doctor may ask the following medical history questions:

The following diagnostic tests may be performed:

References:

Abeloff MD. Clinical Oncology . 3rd ed. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier; 2004.

Bisno AL. Infectious Diseases Society of America. Practice guidelines for the diagnosis and management of group A streptococcal pharyngitis. Clin Infect Dis . 2002; 35(2): 113-125.

Vincent MT. Pharyngitis. Am Fam Physician . 2004; 69(6): 1465-1470.

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