Take the MRSA Quiz! Strep or Sore Throat Slideshow Pictures Infectious Mononucleosis Slideshow Pictures

Medical Author:

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, FACOEP

John P. Cunha, DO, is a U.S. board-certified Emergency Medicine Physician. Dr. Cunha's educational background includes a BS in Biology from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and a DO from the Kansas City University of Medicine and Biosciences in Kansas City, MO. He completed residency training in Emergency Medicine at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center in Newark, New Jersey.

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Medical Editor:

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor

Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, is a U.S. board-certified Anatomic Pathologist with subspecialty training in the fields of Experimental and Molecular Pathology. Dr. Stöppler's educational background includes a BA with Highest Distinction from the University of Virginia and an MD from the University of North Carolina. She completed residency training in Anatomic Pathology at Georgetown University followed by subspecialty fellowship training in molecular diagnostics and experimental pathology.

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Swollen Lymph Nodes Medical Treatment

A lymph node that is rapidly growing over one to two days has a different cause and treatment than generalized swelling of lymph nodes that occurs over a few months. Tell a doctor about the rapidly growing nodes at the time of examination because this helps to establish a diagnosis.

• Standard treatment for swollen lymph nodes may include pain relievers and medicine to lower a fever, such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen. Warm compresses and elevation may help reduce and resolve swelling.

• If the cause of the swelling is infection, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics or antiviral medications.

• If there is a localized abscess, it may need to be drained by cutting open the skin and then filling the opening with packing.

• For swelling due to malignancy, the treatment may involve surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy.

• If a person has an immune disorder, he/she may be prescribed medication to help with the disease.