lymphadenitis is inflammation of the lymph nodes.This gland is part of the lymphatic system which has an important role in keeping the immune system functioning properly.
Lymph nodes or lymph nodes are found in almost all parts of the body, including in the neck, armpits, groin, and abdominal and chest cavities. Lymph nodes are normally small, but will swell when infected.
Types of Lymphadenitis
Based on the extent of infection, lymphadenitis can be divided into two types, namely:
- Local lymphadenitis, which is inflammation of several lymph nodes near the origin of the infection, for example inflammation of the lymph nodes in the neck due to tonsillitis
- Generalized lymphadenitis, which is inflammation of many lymph nodes due to an infection that has spread through the bloodstream, or from another disease that has spread throughout the body
Causes of Lymphadenitis
Lymphadenitis results from the lymph node's response to a bacterial, viral, fungal, or parasitic infection, which can then spread the infection throughout the lymphatic system in just a few hours.
Some types of microorganisms that can cause lymphadenitis are:
- Bacteria, such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus aureus, Bartonella Henselae, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Yersinia enterocolitica, Yersinia pestis, and Salmonella
- Viruses, among others Cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr, Parvovirus, and Rubella
- Mushrooms, for example Histoplasma capsulatum
- Parasites, such as Toxoplasma
Lymphadenitis Risk Factors
Lymphadenitis is more at risk of attacking someone who has a history of taking hydantoin or mesantoin drugs. In addition, lymphadenitis also often occurs in someone who suffers from the following diseases:
- Rheumatoid arthritis
- Graft versus host disease
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia
- Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma
- Neuroblastoma
- Sickle cell anemia
- Hemolytic anemia
- Thalassemia
- Kawasaki disease
- Sarcoidosis
- cat scratch disease (cat scratch disease)
- Tooth abscess
Symptoms of Lymphadenitis
The lymph nodes or lymph nodes are part of the lymphatic system, which also consists of the spleen, thymus, bone marrow, tonsils, and adenoids.
In the lymph nodes, there are white blood cells that function against harmful foreign substances, such as viruses and bacteria. When these microorganisms infect the body, lymph nodes can swell and become inflamed in response to infection, resulting in complaints of lymphadenitis.
Symptoms of lymphadenitis vary, depending on the cause and location of the infection. Some of the symptoms that generally appear in lymphadenitis are:
- Swollen lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin
- Lymph nodes are painful to the touch
- The skin in the lymph node area becomes red
- Formation of collections of pus or abscesses in swollen lymph nodes
- Fluid discharge from swollen lymph nodes
- Fever
When to go to the doctor
Check with your doctor if you experience the above symptoms, especially if the symptoms appear suddenly, last more than 5 days and get worse.
Immediately see a doctor if the above symptoms are accompanied by the following complaints:
- Sweating at night
- sudden weight loss
- Fever doesn't get better
- The appearance of symptoms of upper respiratory tract infection, such as runny nose and pain when swallowing
- Swelling in the legs, which can signal a blockage in the lymphatic system
- Lymph nodes are enlarged and hard to the touch, which can indicate a tumor
Diagnosis of lymphadenitis
The doctor will ask about symptoms, medical history, travel history, and contact history with cats or other animals. Then, the doctor will examine the swollen lymph nodes.
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor will perform additional examinations, such as:
- Blood tests, to detect signs of infection and inflammation, such as elevated white blood cell counts and C-reactive protein
- Cultures of blood and lymph fluid, to identify the bacteria causing the infection and see if the infection has spread to the bloodstream
- Sampling (biopsy) of the lymph nodes, to determine the cause of inflammation
- Scans with ultrasound, X-rays and CT scans, to detect which lymph nodes are swollen and to detect possible tumors in the lymph nodes
Lymphadenitis Treatment
Treatment of lymphadenitis depends on the age, medical history, condition and severity of the patient, as well as the cause of the lymphadenitis itself.
Keep in mind, the infection can spread to other organs quickly, especially if the infection has spread to the lymph nodes. In this condition, the patient must be treated immediately.
Treatments that can be done to treat lymphadenitis include:
Drugs
Administration of drugs aims to overcome the infection and relieve symptoms of pain, fever and swelling. Drugs that can be given include:
- Antibiotics
- Anti Virus
- antifungal
- Antiparasitic
- Ibuprofen
Operation
Surgery is generally performed to treat lymphadenitis that has developed into an abscess. In the process, the doctor will anesthetize the area around the swollen lymph node, then make a small incision in the gland to drain the pus. After the pus is successfully removed, the incision will be covered with a sterile bandage.
Treatment cancer
If lymphadenitis is caused by a tumor or cancer in the lymph nodes, doctors may administer chemotherapy, radiotherapy, or surgical removal of the tumor.
To help relieve symptoms, doctors will advise patients to do the following ways:
- Get enough rest
- Taking pain relievers, such as paracetamol, ibuprofen or naproxen
- Apply a warm compress to relieve pain or a cold compress with ice to reduce swelling and inflammation
Lymphadenitis Complications
Lymphadenitis that is not treated immediately can lead to complications. Complications that arise in each patient can be different, depending on the underlying cause. These complications include:
- Cellulitis
- Formation of a collection of pus or abscess in the chest cavity
- Pericarditis with collections of pus
- Rupture of the carotid artery, the large blood vessel in the neck
- Formation of blood clots in the veins in the neck
- Fistulas, especially in lymphadenitis caused by tuberculosis
- Sepsis, which is an infection that spreads throughout the body through the bloodstream
Lymphadenitis Prevention
The best way to prevent lymphadenitis is to live a healthy lifestyle so that you avoid infection. This can be obtained by doing the following ways:
- Get enough rest
- Eat nutritious food
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid people who are sick
- Regularly maintain cleanliness, such as washing hands with soap and water
- Immediately apply antiseptic if your skin is injured and cover the wound with a bandage