swollen glands

[ny2125]

i assume swollen glands in the neck means inflamed lymph nodes?  our 6 yr. old was seen today for a fever and sore throat complaint.  the ped. said she has a throat infection and swollen glands and prescribed meds.  she did check other areas of her body for glands (at least that is what i think she was feeling for).  about 7 weeks ago she had the same thing (tho the whole family passed around a fever/infection).  should we be overly concerned that she has been sick like this twice in two months?  what would be the tell tale signs of leukemia or lymphoma in a child?  she shows no other red flags in our opinion nor our doctor.  i just read about fevers and lymph nodes then automatically think "something is wrong"!  any insight into this would be much apprecited by anyone and esp. a doctor on this forum.  thanks.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
Unexplained fever is one of the manifestations of lymphoma.  This is an intermittent and recurring type of fever, lasting for days to weeks.  Lymphoma is one of the causes of fever of unknown origin.  After thorough investigation and after ruling out infection as the possible cause of the fever, the cause is not elucidated.  
As for the sweating, it may occur anytime of the day.  Most patients complain of night sweats though, with clothes fully soaked when they wake up.  
Infection is the most common cause of enlargement of lymph nodes.  What is more important is to observe the enlarged lymph nodes after resolution of infection for any changes, be it increase in size, appearance of symptoms, etc.  

[ny2125]

when you mean fevers, do you mean ones that last for weeks?  could you clarify that and some of the other symptoms (like sweating, do you mean night sweats)?  and enlarged lymph nodes a concern if there are no other signs (esp. if a person is getting over a cold/flu)?   thanks so much.

[Dennis MD]

Hi.
You are right.  Most of the time, a swollen lymph node in the neck would mean there’s an ongoing infection near the site draining that lymph node.  Acute or chronic infections would make the lymph nodes to enlarge.  Oftentimes, even with resolution of infection, these enlarged lymph nodes would not regress in size.  Recurrent infection would make the lymph nodes to enlarge intermittently.  
Lymphomas would present with enlarged lymph nodes.  This is associated with constitutional symptoms of fever, sweating, weight loss, and sometimes itchiness of the skin.
I would suggest that you continue to observe your child for any symptoms and bring her to her pediatrician for evaluation and management.
Good luck.