In your neck there are structures called lymph nodes that are part of your body's immune system. Their job is to filter, trap and destroy bacteria and other substances that can cause disease. When this process occurs the lymph nodes can grow larger. If the neck glands are involved this may cause a sore throat, runny nose and other cold-like symptoms. If these symptoms occur, talk to your doctor to help diagnose the cause of your swollen neck glands. This symptom is often a warning sign of an underlying disease.
Infections
The Mayo Clinic states that the most common cause of swollen neck glands are infections. This includes conditions such as the common cold, strep throat, measles, mumps, chickenpox, ear infections or a tooth infection or abscess. Whenever viral or bacterial substances are discovered in you body, the lymph nodes will enlarge as they capture and destroy these agents. If your condition is not too severe, your lymph nodes should return to their normal size after you recover from your illness. Glands that do not return to normal after a couple of weeks may signal a more-serious condition.
Immune System Diseases
There are many other diseases and conditions that can also cause the glands in your neck to swell. These include tonsillitis, gingivitis, cat-scratch fever, mononucleosis, tuberculosis, rheumatoid arthritis and AIDS. Be on the lookout for glands that are also red and very painful, grow very rapidly, become hard or cause difficulty swallowing or breathing. Talk to your doctor if the swollen glands in your neck are accompanied by unexplained weight loss, fever or sweats.
Cancer
Cancer of the throat or pharyngeal cancer can cause swollen lymph nodes throughout your body, including the neck. Cancer that affects other areas of the body can create this reaction as well. According to the National Institutes of Health, swollen glands that occur abruptly and cause immediate pain are usually the result of an infection. In contrast if your lymph nodes swell slowly over time, with less severe symptoms in the beginning, then it may be due to cancer or some other cause.
