What do I do if my toddler has infection in lymph nodes? Is this common?

There are lymph nodes (also known as lymph glands) throughout your body. They’re part of your immune and circulatory systems. If children are fighting infection or dealing with an injury or allergy, they might get swollen lymph nodes. Your child might need to see a doctor about swollen lymph nodes. Causes of swollen lymph nodes Lymph nodes can swell in reaction to many different things, such as abrasions, burns and insect bites. Lymph nodes also act like a filter for bacteria, so they get bigger if your child has an infection like a sore throat. They might also swell if your child has a viral infection like glandular fever. If your child has swollen lymph nodes all the time, it might be related to eczema. Lymph nodes tend to swell when your child has an infection. For example, if your child has tonsillitis, you might notice swollen and tender lumps in her neck. These are the lymph nodes, which are busily fighting the infection. Sometimes lymph nodes can swell up to several centimetres in size. Lymph nodes can stay swollen for up to a month after the infection has cleared up. You should take your child to the doctor if: there’s no obvious reason for your child to have swollen lymph nodes the node increases in size your child has trouble swallowing or breathing, and has swollen lymph nodes in his neck your child complains of pain in the area of swollen lymph nodes your child is unwell in addition to having swollen lymph nodes.