What does it mean when lymph nodes swell in two or more areas of the body?
When lymph nodes swell in two or more areas of the body, it is called generalized lymphadenopathy. This may be caused by: • A viral illness, such as measles, rubella, chickenpox (varicella), or mumps. • Mononucleosis (Epstein-Barr virus), which results in fever, sore throat, and fatigue, or cytomegalovirus (CMV), a viral infection that causes symptoms similar to those of mononucleosis. • A bacterial illness, such as strep throat (caused by the streptococcus bacterium) or Lyme disease (a bacterial infection spread by certain types of ticks). • Side effects of phenytoin (Dilantin), a medicine used to prevent seizures. • Side effects of measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccination. • Cancer, such as leukemia, Hodgkin’s disease, and non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma. • Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), which develops after contracting HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). This virus attacks the immune system, making it difficult for the body to fight off infection and some disease. • Syphilis, a se
