Duration of lymph node swelling in the groin
The duration of lymph node swelling depends on its cause. In case of short viral infections, the disease as well as the swelling of the lymph node can heal within 2-3 days. Some viral diseases take up to several weeks to heal, for example, Pfeiffer’s glandular fever.
Bacterial diseases can also last for different lengths of time. An antibiotic is often prescribed after a few days. In exceptional cases, the swelling of the lymph nodes may remain after the infection has healed.
The swollen lymph node “encapsulates” the infection and does not regress. There is no reason for concern. Long existing enlarged lymph nodes that are not caused by inflammation can occur in malignant lymphomas.
The duration of this process cannot be estimated. Sometimes the lymph nodes have to be irradiated or shrunk with medication. The duration depends on the type of disease and the success of treatment, which accelerates healing.
Approximately 2-3 days after the start of the medication, the symptoms improve and the swelling decreases. After a vaccination, swelling of lymph nodes can occur as a late consequence one to four weeks after administration and also last for a few days. A doctor should always be consulted if lymph node swelling occurs again. If the swelling persists for a longer period of time, i.e. for weeks or even months, the corresponding node must be examined further.
Patient groups
A painful swelling of the inguinal lymph nodes in a woman indicates an inflammation of the genital organs or an injury to these or the lower extremities.Inflammation of the vagina (vaginitis) or the external sexual organs (vulvitis) are possible diseases that should be checked. Every day, children have contact with new germs against which they have not yet formed defence cells. However, the fact that they do not get sick again and again with all possible pathogens means that their immune system is actively developing.
This can result in the pathogens being carried over into the lymph nodes, causing them to swell. Often the disease does not manifest itself at all and the swelling remains for a short time. Lymph node swelling can also occur after vaccinations, which are often carried out, especially in the first years of a person’s life.
In this case, the child is presented with a part of a pathogen that cannot lead to inflammation, but nevertheless stimulates the body to produce antibodies. If a painless, swollen lymph node develops in the groin over a long period of time in a child without any trigger, it should also be observed how it develops. In case of doubt, a biopsy must also be performed on the child to rule out a malignant “lymphoma“, as these can also occur in children.
If lymph node swelling occurs during pregnancy, it is essential to find out the cause. Some diseases involving lymph nodes are caused by pathogens that can be harmful to the unborn child. Infectious diseases such as chickenpox, rubella, cytomegaly, herpes and chlamydia are particularly dangerous.
The list of quite dangerous diseases is much longer, with some more and some less threatening. For this reason, women of childbearing age should be vaccinated against the most common childhood diseases before pregnancy if possible. Vaccination or infection during pregnancy can cause serious damage to the unborn child.
In children, swelling of lymph nodes in the groin is not unusual at first. Typically, the lymph nodes swell up when the body’s defense (immune system) or repair mechanisms take place. In children who constantly bruise their knees and shins at the age when they learn to walk, swelling of the lymph nodes in the groin may be normal.
Even if the immune system is activated after a vaccination in the thigh, a lymph node swelling in the groin may occur in the child. In most cases, the lymph nodes in the groin are chronically enlarged, especially in physically very active children. Do you have any further questions?
