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Have you ever experienced swollen lymph nodes when you were sick? Why might this happen?

User Joe Lewis
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1 Answer

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28 votes

Answer:

Yes, swollen lymph nodes are more common than some might think.

Step-by-step explanation:

The medical terms for swollen lymph nodes are adenopathy or lymphadenopathy.

Lymph nodes play a vital role in fighting off sickness in the body. They act as a filter, trapping bacteria and viruses before they can spread too far.

Lymph nodes typically swell up as a response to bacteria or viruses. Though cancer can be a factor in swelling, it is very rare. Most commonly they are felt right below the corner of the jaw, in the neck. Yet, they are not only in the neck; they are all throughout the body. When they are swollen, they might feel tender or even painful.

User Umesh Mishra
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