A 49-year-old female asked:
painful cervical lymph nodes what could cause this?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Scott J. Wolfsonanswered
Pediatrics 22 years experience
Likely infection: This could be a viral or bacterial infection. If your pain is increasing, not resolving or accompanied by fever, you should consult your doctor.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Similar questions
A 44-year-old member asked:
What are possiblities if have swollen painful cervical lymph nodes?
1 doctor answer • 2 doctors weighed in

Dr. Michael Milleranswered
Wound care 36 years experience
Monitoring Centers: Lymphatic system absorbs/carries things too big to go into the arteries/veins like bacteria eaten by white cells and digested food. Lymph nodes "taste" the lymph for anything bad like bacteria/viruses/cancers, etc. When it detects a problem, it alerts the immune system and your body reacts. They enlarge in response to the inflammation they create when they react. They shrink when all is well.
4.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
90,000 U.S. doctors in 147 specialties are here to answer your questions or offer you advice, prescriptions, and more. Get help now:
Last updated Jun 24, 2015
People also asked
Connect with a U.S. board-certified doctor by text or video anytime, anywhere.
$30 per visit with
membership
Disclaimer:
Content on HealthTap (including answers) should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Never disregard or delay professional medical advice in person because of anything on HealthTap. Call your doctor or 911 if you think you may have a medical emergency.