Are enlarged lymph nodes a problem?
Enlarged lymph nodes usually aren’t that big of a problem in themselves and the Doctor will be able to tell a lot from the size, texture and feel of the nodes and only very rarely will serious complications arise from them. Only very occasionally does the node themselves become infected but when this happens it is called adenitis, however if the nodes themselves are infected this is easily identifiable as they will become very big, extremely red and painful. If this is caught early enough then the infection is treated with antibiotics which will usually clear up the infection and only very rarely will the child be needed to be admitted to hospital in order to drain the infected node. Of course, as not all lumps are only enlarged lymph nodes and while most cases of them are nothing to worry about, very occasionally, lumps can suggest something more sinister and they should never be passed over, particularly if the child has enlarged nodes which persist or get bigger beyond a 6-week peri
