Health Tip: Why You May Have Swollen Lymph Nodes

What can cause this symptom?

Related Encyclopedia • Abscess • Actinomycosis • Acute Myeloid Leukemia (Adult) • AIDS and HIV Infection More... Related Healthscout Videos Fighting HIV and AIDS: New Research Blood Cleaner New AIDS Drugs Flu Fighters More... Related Drug Information • Abilify • Augmentin • Bactroban Cream • Bactroban Ointment More... Related News Articles • Morphine May Protect Brains of People With HIV • Respiratory Infections Major Cause of Childhood Deaths • How Virus Puts the 'Pink' in Pink Eye • Chlamydia Often Overlooked in Young Men More...

(HealthDay News) -- If you notice swollen areas around your neck, behind your head or ears, or under your arms, you might be feeling swollen lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are a key line of defense against infection.

Text Continues Below

---

The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers this list of possible reasons for swollen lymph nodes:

• An ear infection.
• The gum disease gingivitis.
• A tooth that is impacted or abscessed.
• Mononucleosis.
• A sexually transmitted disease, including HIV.
• Tonsillitis.
• Sores in the mouth.
• Tuberculosis.
• Rheumatoid arthritis.
• Certain cancers, such as leukemia, Hodgkin's disease or non-Hodgkin lymphoma.

-- Diana Kohnle