Your lymph nodes are part of your immune system and they are located throughout your body. They help your body fight disease by trapping foreign invaders so they can be destroyed. If you develop a bacterial infection or are exposed to fungi or a virus, your lymph nodes may become infected, enlarged or inflamed. When this happens, you may be diagnosed with lymphadenitis. This condition usually occurs to the lymph nodes at the site of the initial infection in your body.
Common Symptoms
The National Institutes of Health states that your doctor can palpate your lymph nodes to check for this condition. He or she may feel for lymph nodes that are swollen or hard. In addition, the area may feel tender to the touch. Biopsies and blood tests can be done to help confirm a diagnosis and determine the cause of your condition.
Additional Symptoms
With lymphadenitis you may notice that the skin near the affected area becomes red, warm and sore. The Mayo Clinic states that you should also be on the lookout for a runny nose, fever or other symptoms that mimic a respiratory infection.
In severe cases, your lymph nodes can become swollen and grow to the point you can see them. In some cases, the growth may affect your ability to move the affected area of the body, such as your arm, if the lymph nodes in your armpit are involved.
Severe Symptoms
The Merck website states that sometimes the skin near the affected area can develop pockets of pus called an abscess. You need medical attention, if along with any of the above symptoms, you notice that the nodes keep growing larger, you develop night sweats, unexplained weight loss or trouble breathing and swallowing.
