My 4 y/o daughter has a swollen node in the lower part of her neck - sort of behind the ear but much farther down, right above where the neck meets the shoulders. From diagrams online it looks like it is one of the nodes in the "posterior triangle" of the neck. It moves very freely and probably about the size of a kidney bean. It doesn't hurt when I touch it. My older daughter (and this morning my son also) has had a runny nose and slight sore throat all week, and yesterday, right before I noticed the lump on my 4 y/o's neck she started sniffling as well. She has no fever and is acting fine but is still sniffling a bit. I initially freaked out and wanted to run to the urgent care but then I wondered what they would be able to do anyway... after looking online I feel a bit reassured but of course there are all the scary things it could be also! So my question is, do I take her right in to the doctor or do I give it a week or so and see if it goes away on its own? I always thought that the nodes higher in the neck were the ones that enlarged with an upper respiratory infection... can the lower neck ones also?
The lympth nodes can get enlarged whenever you're fighting off something - don't make your self crazy! If it gets larger and also lasts for a couple of weeks only then is it something to get checked out. We moms allow ourselves to get nuts about this stuff! Meanwhile your child's immune system is doing what it's supposed to!
We allow ourselves to jump to crazy conclusions! Don't do it!
I get one like that in my armpit every time I'm fighting a cold.
It always goes away after a few days.
I eventually asked my doctor about it, and she said that's normal.
I'd wait for a couple of days. If it's still there, take her in. Otherwise, I wouldn't worry too much about it just yet, especially when her sister is sick, too.
I am really glad you didn't take her to urgent care. I was worried when I notice my son had one too on his neck in the middle side...he has had it for the last year and the doctor is not at all concerned. Is your kid on the thinner side? Little kids don't have neck fat so these nodules are more pronounced. You can call the doctor to ask and mention it during your next appt. My doctor said that the concern is when the child doesn't eat, looses weight, and has other symptoms that don't go away.
I'd give her a week. Try some mucinex. Most likely same virus as the sniffles.
