Swollen lymph nodes can be caused by many things, such as infection, inflammation, and even tumors. To overcome this, lymph node drugs are needed according to the cause of the swelling of the gland.
Lymph nodes are small, round organs that are found in various parts of the body, including the neck, armpits, breasts, abdomen, and groin. In the lymph nodes there are immune-forming cells, namely white blood cells and antibody-forming cells, which are in charge of fighting infections and cancer cells.
When the body is exposed to certain diseases, such as infections, inflammation, cancer, or autoimmune disorders, the production of immune-forming cells in the lymph nodes increases, causing these glands to enlarge or swell.
Swollen lymph nodes are sometimes accompanied by other symptoms, such as pain in the area of the swollen gland, fever, sweating more at night, weight loss, and sore throat.
Different Types of Swollen Lymph Node Drugs
Treatment of swollen lymph nodes needs to be adjusted to the causative factor. Some of the factors that can cause swollen lymph nodes are:
- Viral infections, such as influenza, measles, mononucleosis, herpes, CMV, and HIV
- Bacterial infections, such as typhoid fever, tuberculosis or TB, and syphilis
- Fungal and parasitic infections, such as skin fungus infections, helminth infections, filariasis or elephantiasis, and toxoplasmosis
- Autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis and lupus
- Cancers, such as lymphoma and leukemia
Swollen lymph nodes that occur as a result of a minor infection, such as influenza, often don't need to be treated because the condition gets better on its own. Swollen lymph nodes only need to be treated if the condition is severe enough, accompanied by disturbing complaints, or does not improve.
Types of lymph node drugs that can be used to treat swollen lymph nodes include:
1. Antibiotics
Antibiotics are needed to treat swollen lymph nodes caused by a bacterial infection. If it is caused by tuberculosis, swollen lymph nodes need to be treated with antituberculosis drugs.
2. Antivirus
Antiviral lymph node drugs will be needed to treat swollen lymph nodes due to viral infections, such as mononucleosis, herpes, and HIV.
The length of treatment depends on the type of virus. If it's caused by herpes and mononucleosis, your doctor may give you antiviral medication for a few days or a few weeks. Whereas in HIV, the treatment is lifelong.
3. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
To treat swollen lymph nodes that are painful and accompanied by fever, your doctor may prescribe NSAIDs, such as paracetamol, aspirin, and ibuprofen. However, aspirin cannot be given to children because it can cause side effects such as Reye's syndrome.
4. Corticosteroids
Corticosteroids are drugs that work to reduce inflammation. This drug can be used to relieve inflammation and enlarged lymph nodes caused by autoimmune diseases.
5. Chemotherapy
If the swelling of the lymph nodes is caused by a malignant tumor or cancer, the treatment is chemotherapy accompanied by surgical removal of the tumor and radiation therapy. The choice of treatment method given will be adjusted to the type and stage of cancer.
In addition to the use of lymph node drugs, swollen lymph nodes also sometimes need to be treated with surgery. Lymph node surgery is performed when there is pus in a swollen gland, or for a biopsy if a lymph node is suspected of having cancer.
Because it can be caused by various things, lymph node drugs that need to be used can also vary. So, first make sure what the cause is by undergoing an examination to the doctor. After the cause is known, the new doctor can give the appropriate lymph node medication.