Swollen Lymph Nodes in Kids, Updated Monday Evening.

Updated on July 18, 2011
G.B. asks from Oklahoma City, OK
6 answers

Okay my nurse and mommy friends. "K" still has swollen nodules on the side of her throat. She is on K-Flex but still running a good fever. She had shakes so hard I thought it was a seizure earleir today but is better than that now.

How do I treat the swollen lymph nodes? She has no other symptoms that I have noticed. Again, she is on K-Flex liquid, 1 tsp. 3 times a day, started last night after a trip to the ER.

I am sick with fever and swelling nodes, hubby is running a fever but no nodules yet, and the little guy who is supposed to go under anesthesia in the morning for fillings is fine, no fever or swelling at all yet.

Clarification:

"K" is my grand daughter who went to the ER last night and was put on an antibiotic called K-Flex. I don't think she is any better after 24 hours of antibiotic. I understand that the antibiotic needs time to start working.

My question is: what can I do to treat the lymph nodes, to ease the pain, to perhaps help with the inflammation. She is still hurting a bit and the Tylenol and Motrin don't seem to be making the pain less

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So What Happened?

It's been musical beds here at our house tonight. She is finally asleep and currently in bed with my hubby. The 4 yr old fell asleep in her bed. I don't want to sleep in his twin bed so I don't know where I'll end up. Probably in the Queen bed with hubby and the 7 yr. old.

I know I am feeling the pain tonight from my lymph nodes and she is still hurting after taking Tylenol and then Motrin every other time. I have found that Sudafed seems to helps them not hurt quite so much in me.

I just wonder if heat helps or does it make the pain worse since it's basically inflammation? How do you make your nodes feel better when you have something like this?
*************************************
Monday night.
Took her back to the ER this morning after looking in her throat. Her tonsils are touching and her uvula is nearly disappeared, she has a tiny opening in her throat... This ER doc did 2 swabs and a CBC. The swabs came back positive for strep and the CBC was pretty normal. The doc changed her to a penicillin type antibiotic, I can't remember if it's amoxicillian or something else, it's pink though. She was still running a high fever at 2pm today and she started choking on clear phlegm.

I called the pediatrician and he had me bring her in right away. He showed me she is starting an abscess in her throat. He also gave her a Rocefrin shot. It is one of the strongest antibiotics, it is sometimes called the pneumonia antibiotic. I have had it a couple of times and I felt better within a few hours.

She is still not feeling any better and I think she is going to end up in the hospital. I am staying awake tonight and she is on the bed next to me. Hubby is currently sleeping while I am on the computer. It's right next to our bed.

He is seeing her again in the morning and mentioned proceeding with a more aggressive treatment for it. I wonder if that means he'll have to go in and drain the abscess...

More Answers

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R.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Hi Gamma G,

Swollen lymph nodes are an indication that the body has mounted a substantial immune defense against an invading pathogen (so is the fever). The swelling is caused by the increased production of a variety of immune cells, especially different types of immune messaging cells and a variety of T cells. Considering that at least three members of your family have the same symptoms, it's more likely that you're all fighting a viral infection than a bacterial one. Influenza Type C is fairly prevalent at this time of year, and can cause the symptoms you're describing, as can a whole host of other upper/lower respiratory viruses.

K-flex was probably prescribed because the ER doc didn't want to miss treating a possible primary or secondary bacterial infection and was hedging his/her bets (unless there was a clear sign of bacterial infection, such as a positive rapid strep test, purulent wound, or obvious bacterial colonies in the throat). Unfortunately, this kind of poor antibiotic stewardship is a leading contributor to the rise in antibiotic resistant organisms, such as MRSA and MRSE. (Too bad the PCT test is still not approved for general diagnostics in the US yet -- it's very good at differentiating viral from bacterial infection.) If there's no bacterial infection, the K-flex will do nothing -- you're just going to have to be patient and let the virus run its course. Unfortunately, what it could do is cause side effects such as diarrhea and nausea, so I suggest you watch for these symptoms and treat prophylactically with probiotics.

There's not much you can do to treat the pain from the lymph nodes beyond Tylenol and Motrin. You can safely give both drugs interchangeably every 3 hours, but do be very careful with the Tylenol and don't exceed the recommended dose, as it can cause liver damage. Don't add in any other analgesics, as any other drugs will be the same class as either Tylenol (acetaminophen, e.g. Paracetamol, Panadol) or Motrin (ibuprofen, e.g., Advil, Caldolor, EmuProfen). Definitely do not give aspirin, as it's been linked to Reye's Syndrome when given in conjunction with a viral illness. (If anyone recommends willow bark tea or slippery elm tea as natural remedies, don't use these either -- they're both natural sources of salycilic acid -- the active chemical in aspirin.) Cold drinks, popsicles and cold packs applied to the neck can also help to reduce inflammation and relieve the pain of swollen glands, and you might try juicing some celery, as it contains a natural mild anaesthetic. You can also use cool (not cold) baths to help alleviate fever. Heat can help with congestion. The sudafed probably helped you because it's a general vasodilator and decongestant. Don't just start using a bunch of over the counter meds, though. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about appropriate medications for your illness

One poster mentioned using steroids to treat EBV (Epstein-Barr virus). This is pretty extreme, and not likely to apply to your family. EBV rarely causes overt symptoms in children, although can cause severe symptoms in adolescents and adults. About 60 -70% of children in this country will contract EBV before the age of 10 and never know it. About another 10 - 20% will get the virus as a teen or adult in the form of infectious mononucleosis (but other viruses, such as CMV, can also cause a type of infectious mononucleosis). Since your daughter has severe symptoms, it's unlikely she has mono, but if you're really concerned, you can always request testing, especially if she has or develops a swollen and tender tummy. EBV (and a number of other viruses) can cause a type of hepatitis (liver inflammation -- swelling and tenderness will be in the upper right abdomen just beneath the ribs) as well and inflammation of the spleen (swelling and tenderness will be in the upper left abdomen, beneath the ribs and lower), both of which need to be monitored. I'm assuming the ER doc checked your daughter's throat though, and didn't see signs of EBV, which are usually pretty obvious.

What you do want to watch for is a combination of symptoms that can indicate the illness has become more severe. If your daughter (or you/your husband) has two or more of the following symptoms together, head back to the ER and tell the doctor you're concerned about SIRS and developing sepsis: fever over 101.3 deg F, rapid heart beat, rapid respiration (panting) or difficulty breathing, extremely lethargic or altered state of consciousness, inability to urinate for 24 hours or producing only scant, dark urine. It is unlikely you need to be concerned about this, but everyone should know the warning signs. Sepsis is actually caused by an over-response of the immune system to a viral, bacterial, parasitic, or fungal infection and is not something you want to mess around with.

I hope you all feel better soon. BTW, I would postpone your son's anaesthesia for fillings. If you're all sharing a virus, there's a good chance your son will come down with it too in the next 7 to 10 days. Plus, if you still have symptoms (especially fever) you are probably all contagious and I'm sure the dentist would not appreciate you infecting him/her, the staff, and other patients.

3 moms found this helpful
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L.M.

answers from Norfolk on

Swollen lymph nodes, as I have been told, means the body is fighting an infection. That in itself is not a worrisome symptom. It doesn't really speak to the severity of whatever it is the body is fighting. Just think of it like a "Immune System At Work" sign and give fluids. Fluids are king!

1 mom found this helpful
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D.M.

answers from Joplin on

anytime my son had swollen lymph nodes and a fever it was strep throat.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.L.

answers from Los Angeles on

Swollen glands can be annoyingly sore! A warm shower playing on her neck may help, and some children's paracetemol.

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S.H.

answers from St. Louis on

I'm recovering from mono & had hugely-swollen tonsils & lymph nodes for 6 weeks+. 2 rounds of antibiotics, ear drops.....& then finally more bloodwork to diagnose the mono (Epstein-Barr Virus). A steroid pack finally broke the whole tonsils/lymph node thing for me.

Since your granddaughter has only been on the antibiotics for 24 hours, I would relax & give it at least 5 days to do it's job. Give her Tylenol/Motrin (ask the dr which one) to ease the pain of the swollen lymph nodes. That's what my dr had me do......Peace!

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K.W.

answers from Seattle on

Fever and swollen lymph nodes is a sign of infection. I'm not sure who's on K-flex or why.

You need to see a doctor.

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