My lymph nodes on the front of my neck are firm and they swell on and off, they become painful. is this ok after a viral infection?

Lymph nodes may: be enlarged after a viral infection. They can grow bigger, get firmer or become painful. However they should start to go down 1 week after resolution of the illness, and should be gone after 1 month. If you still experience painful lumps that are either growing in size still, or stay the same, then see a healthcare provider for proper examination. These lymph nodes may be more serious.

Maybe: As long as they do go down to less than 1cm and the soreness goes away. If they are larger than 1cm, see PCP or ENT