Update: I Just got back from my appointment and my doctor thinks its benign. I asked if there's any antibiotics I could take to at least take the swelling down but she said no it's normal. I'm just a little skeptical because I forgot to mention it can be felt much more when I turn my neck sideways so she might have missed it...but I would like to think she is right and hopefully its nothing to worry about.
Thanks for the feedback, I cant help but think the worst but I know it could be numerous other things which also drives me crazy, If only the cause could be easily diagnosed and treated...or at least have something that could take the swelling down so I could stop worrying. But at last, my next doctor appointment is a week from now, so hopefully this worrisome observation period is over and I can get some kind of diagnosis/treatment. Really hope this thing doesn't drag on any further...
Hi
Welcome to the MedHelp forum!
Only neck lymph nodes are unlikely to be due to HIV or any other STD. Neck lymph nodes can be the result of tonsillitis, pharyngitis (infection of upper throat), infection in mouth, caries in tooth, internal ear infection, outer ear infection, eczema, dermatitis, dandruff, breast cancer, fungal infection, other cancers like lymphoma etc. If you had flu like symptoms initially then it could be due to infectious mononucleosis too.
The enumerated the possibilities can be investigated or ruled out one by one by your physician, ENT specialist and dentist. Take care!