Lymphadenitis

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Lymphatic system

Lymph node infection; Lymph gland infection; Localized lymphadenopathy

Lymphadenitis may spread within hours. Treatment should begin promptly.

Treatment may include:

• Analgesics (painkillers) to control pain
• Antibiotics to treat any infection
• Anti-inflammatory medications to reduce inflammation
• Cool compresses to reduce inflammation and pain

Surgery may be needed to drain an abscess.

Prompt treatment with antibiotics usually leads to a complete recovery. However, it may take weeks, or even months, for swelling to disappear. The amount of time to recovery depends on the cause.

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• Abscess formation
• Cellulitis (a skin infection)
• Fistulas (seen in lymphadenitis that is due to tuberculosis)
• Sepsis (bloodstream infection)

Call your health care provider or go to the emergency room if you have symptoms of lymphadenitis.

Review Date: 06/09/2011
Reviewed By: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; Jatin M. Vyas, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor in Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Assistant in Medicine, Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org).