Quick answer
What could swollen glands mean?
Swollen glands (lymph nodes) usually mean your immune system is fighting infection — often throat, ear, or skin infections. Glands in neck, armpits, or groin may be tender and pea-sized to grape-sized. They typically settle over 2 to 4 weeks as infection clears. See a GP if lumps persist over 2 weeks, are painless and hard, continue growing, or you have night sweats or weight loss.
Swollen glands — lymph nodes explained
Lymph nodes (often called glands) are small bean-shaped filters throughout the body — clusters in neck, armpits, groin, and deeper internally. When your immune system fights infection, nearby nodes swell as white blood cells multiply inside.
Swollen glands are usually normal and temporary — but persistent or unusual lumps need medical assessment to exclude serious conditions including lymphoma.
Normal vs concerning
Usually infection (benign):
- follows cold, sore throat, ear infection, tooth abscess, or skin wound
- tender to touch
- soft, mobile under skin
- settles within 2 to 4 weeks
Needs GP assessment:
- no obvious infection
- painless, hard, or fixed lump
- growing over weeks
- present more than 2 weeks
- multiple sites without infection
- with night sweats, weight loss, itching, or persistent fever
Common causes
Viral infections
- common cold, flu
- glandular fever (Epstein-Barr) — prominent neck nodes, severe fatigue
- CMV, HIV (acute seroconversion — testing if risk)
Bacterial infections
- tonsillitis, strep throat
- dental abscess
- cellulitis of nearby skin
- cat scratch disease (Bartonella) — scratch from cat, regional node swelling
Other
- medicines — phenytoin, allopurinol (rare drug reaction)
- sarcoidosis, lupus — autoimmune
- thyroid disease — not true lymph node but neck lump confusion
- cancers — lymphoma, leukaemia, or spread from other primaries
Where nodes swell — what it suggests
| Location | Common associations |
|---|---|
| Neck | Throat, ear, scalp, dental infection |
| Under jaw | Mouth, teeth, glandular fever |
| Armpit | Arm, breast, chest wall infection |
| Groin | Leg, foot, genital infection |
Generalised lymphadenopathy (many sites) — viral illness, glandular fever, HIV, lymphoma, leukaemia — GP assessment.
Glandular fever — when nodes stay large
Infectious mononucleosis — teens/young adults:
- severe sore throat
- marked neck swelling
- profound fatigue weeks to months
- splenomegaly — avoid rugby/contact sports
Blood test confirms. Antibiotics like amoxicillin cause rash — do not use until EBV excluded if suspected.
What a GP does
- history — infection symptoms, travel, animal exposure, weight change, night sweats
- examine all node areas, throat, ears, skin
- blood tests — FBC, CRP, EBV serology if indicated, HIV test with consent if risk
- urgent referral (2-week wait) if lymphoma suspected — do not watch and wait months
Ultrasound of neck lump often first investigation — distinguishes solid node from cyst.
Treatment
Treat underlying cause:
- viral — rest, fluids, pain relief
- bacterial tonsillitis — antibiotics if indicated
- dental — dentist for abscess
No treatment needed for the node itself if infection resolving and node shrinking.
When it is lymphoma — early signs
Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma often present with:
- painless rubbery neck or chest nodes
- B symptoms — drenching night sweats, >10% weight loss, fever over 38°C
- itching without rash
- breathlessness — mediastinal mass
Prognosis for lymphoma has improved dramatically — early diagnosis matters.
Most swollen glands are your immune system doing its job. Watch for 2 weeks maximum after a clear infection — if still there, or if red flags appear, book a GP appointment.
Common questions
- Why do glands swell when you are ill?
- Lymph nodes contain immune cells that multiply when fighting infection — the node enlarges as it works. Common triggers include viral upper respiratory infections, tonsillitis, dental abscess, skin infections, and glandular fever (EBV). The swelling is usually tender and soft.
- How long do swollen glands take to go down?
- Typically 2 to 4 weeks after the infection clears — sometimes longer after glandular fever (weeks to months). If still enlarged after 2 weeks without clear cause, see a GP.
- Can swollen glands be cancer?
- Yes — though most swollen glands in young people are infection. Lymphoma (cancer of lymphatic system) and leukaemia can present with painless persistent lymph nodes, often with night sweats, weight loss, or itching. Metastatic cancer from other sites can spread to nodes. GP examination and blood tests guide urgent referral if needed.
- What is glandular fever?
- Epstein-Barr virus infection — common in teens and young adults. Severe sore throat, fatigue, fever, and marked neck gland swelling. Diagnosed with blood test (Monospot). No specific treatment — rest, fluids, avoid contact sports for weeks due to spleen enlargement risk.
- Should I massage swollen lymph nodes?
- No — avoid pressing or massaging repeatedly. Treat the underlying infection. Paracetamol or ibuprofen help pain if appropriate.