Bacterial Infections | Lymph node swelling causes

Bacterial Infections

Bacterial infections can also cause swelling of the lymph nodes, depending on their location. For example, a bacterial tonsillitis can cause swelling of the cervical lymph nodes. However, systemic (affecting the entire body) bacterial infections such as tuberculosis can also cause swelling of the lymph nodes.

In tuberculosis, the lung is the most frequently affected organ, so that lymph node swelling occurs in the surrounding area. Lymph node swelling also occurs in cat scratch disease, which is caused by the bacterium Bartonella. These are mainly located in the neck and armpit area.

Parasitic infections

Toxoplasmosis is a parasitic disease that can be caused by contact with cats and the consumption of raw meat. Typically, the disease is harmless with few to no symptoms. It may be accompanied by mild fever, headache, fatigue and swelling of the lymph nodes.

After an infection has been passed through, affected persons are immune to the pathogen for life. Toxoplasmosis infection can be dangerous during pregnancy, as it can damage the unborn child. Even people with immune deficiencies can suffer complications from the disease.

Tumors

The term leukemia (blood cancer) is used to describe malignant diseases of various blood cells. Depending on the type of leukaemia, certain blood cells can no longer be formed in such a way that they fulfil their original function. Since these are often cells that play an important role in the immune system, different stations of the immune system are often affected by the disease.

Many of the immune cells are stored in the lymph nodes, which is why lymph node swelling can occur in leukemia. In addition, affected individuals become particularly susceptible to infectious diseases in the course of the disease. Do you have any further questions about leukemia?

Hodgkin’s disease is a malignant disease of the entire lymphatic system. All lymphatic organs (lymph nodes, tonsils, spleen, etc.) can be affected.

Typically, a fever and a significant (unintended) weight loss occur. In addition, there is swelling of the lymph nodes in the groin and in the neck and armpit region.The spleen and liver may also be inflamed and swell. The treatment is carried out by means of chemotherapy and radiation. Among the new therapy options, the prognosis for Hodgkin’s disease is very good. You can find more information on this topic on the following page: Hodgkin lymphoma