Causes of Swollen Glands (Lymph Nodes) in the Neck

Swollen glands in the neck, which are actually enlarged lymph nodes, are a sign that your body is trying to fight an infection or autoimmune disorder. Conditions that may cause swollen glands in the neck include colds, the flu, mononucleosis, HIV, rheumatoid arthritis (RA), cancer, and more. Certain medications can also cause swollen lymph nodes.

Lymph nodes are soft body structures with round or bean shapes. They are small and can be found all over the body. The nodes are helpful for immunity. They keep or make immune cells that find and get rid of germs that cause illnesses.

You can’t feel all of the lymph nodes in the body, but you may be able to feel them in some areas, including the neck on either side of the front, sides, and back, behind your ears, on the back of your head, or under your jaw and chin. Swollen lymph nodes are also called lymphadenopathy.

Read on to learn about the causes of swollen lymph nodes in the neck, possible treatments, and when to see a healthcare provider.

Bacterial and viral infections in the neck can result in swollen neck lymph nodes. The nodes generally swell when making a lot of white blood cells in response to infections. These cells are the part of your blood that helps the immune system function.

Specific infections that can cause swollen lymph nodes include:

• An abscessed tooth, where bacterial infections cause a tooth pus pocket
• Colds or the flu
• COVID
• Ear infections
• Gingivitis, the swelling and inflammation of gums
• Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)
• An impacted tooth, where a tooth does not break through the gum
• Mononucleosis, a viral infection
• Mouth sores
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Skin infections
• Staph infections
• Streptococcal infections, like the ones that cause strep throat
• Tonsillitis, a condition of swollen tonsils
• Tuberculosis, a bacterial lung infection

Autoimmune disorders occur when the body mistakenly attacks healthy cells. When your body is doing this, lymph nodes may swell.

Some autoimmune disorders that can cause swollen lymph nodes in the neck include:

• Amyloidosis: A rare condition affecting protein precursors
• Eosinophilic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (EGPA): A rare disorder affecting the respiratory system
• Lupus, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE): A chronic disease that affects many parts of the body, causing inflammation
• Rheumatoid arthritis (RA): A chronic condition affecting the joints
• Sarcoidosis: A rare disease that causes lumps called granulomas, commonly in the lungs and lymph nodes

Other conditions and illnesses can potentially cause swollen lymph nodes in the neck. These include:

• Cat-scratch disease (CSD)
• Certain cancers, specifically head and neck cancers, leukemia, and lymphoma
• Kawasaki disease
• Rosai-Dorfman disease, which affects the lymph nodes

Certain medications can cause swollen lymph nodes in the neck. These can include:

• Seizure medications
• Vaccines for typhoid fever, a bacterial infection

Swollen lymph nodes themselves are not hereditary, but certain conditions that cause swollen lymph nodes in the neck can be genetic. Familial Rosai-Dorfman disease, which directly affects lymph nodes, commonly in the neck, can be hereditary.

Treatment for lymphadenopathy varies according to the cause. If the reason for swollen neck glands is an infection, a person may be prescribed medications to help resolve the illness. For example, a provider may prescribe antibiotics if you have a bacterial infection. The nodes also get smaller, usually after the infection goes away.

When lymph nodes swell in the neck due to cancer, treatment may include chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgery, or any combination of the three.

Complications

Complications won’t occur only because a person has swollen lymph nodes in the neck or anywhere in the body. However, the untreated causes of lymphadenopathy may get worse. Possible complications may be:

• An immune system that does not function properly
• Metastatic cancer, which is when cancerous cells go to other places in the body compared to where they were originally
• Sepsis, which is a bodily reaction to an infection that requires immediate medical attention

Swollen lymph nodes in the neck are often benign and can indicate an infection that could resolve on its own. Still, finding a swollen lymph node could cause anxiety, so it’s perfectly OK to contact a healthcare provider if you need to.

You should also see a healthcare provider if swollen lymph nodes are accompanied by other concerning symptoms or ones that continue to worsen. Contact a healthcare provider if you notice any of the following signs and symptoms:

• A child has a lymph node larger than one centimeter in diameter
• The nodes are red and tender
• They feel hard, irregular, or fixed in place
• You have a fever, night sweats, or unexplained weight loss
• Your lymph nodes do not get smaller after several weeks or continue to get larger

How Are Swollen Lymph Nodes in the Neck Diagnosed?

A physical exam, medical history, and symptom history can help providers determine what’s causing swollen glands in the neck. They may also use diagnostic tests such as:

• Blood tests: A provider may order a complete blood count (CBC) to determine the number of white blood cells in the blood. The test can also show if the cells look abnormal to rule out serious conditions like lymphoma.
• Chest X-ray: This test gives the provider an image of your chest, diaphragm, heart, large arteries, lungs, and ribs. It can possibly show visible nodes.
• Lymph node biopsy: A healthcare provider may get a small sample of lymph node tissue for a lab exam. This can help them confirm the cause of swollen or abnormal lymph nodes.

You may notice that the glands in your neck become swollen if you come down with a common cold, the flu, COVID, or another upper respiratory infection. Those glands are lymph nodes swelling in response to illnesses like upper respiratory infections, STIs, and tonsilitis. Swollen lymph nodes can also be caused by autoimmune disorders, certain cancers, and certain medications.

If your swollen lymph nodes persist for several weeks, become more prominent or harden, or you develop a fever, among other symptoms, consult a healthcare provider for further evaluation.