Content
Adenitis corresponds to the inflammation of one or more lymph nodes, which can happen anywhere in the body, being common in areas such as neck, armpit, groin or abdomen, and causes swelling, redness, heat and pain in the area.
This inflammation can happen due to infection by viruses, bacteria or be the result of a tumor, for example, and, therefore, it is important that the doctor is consulted as soon as the first symptoms of adenitis appear in order to be able to identify the cause and start the most appropriate treatment.
Main symptoms
The symptoms of adenitis are related to inflammation of the lymph nodes and may vary according to the type of adenitis. However, in general, the main symptoms of adenitis are:
- Swelling of the affected ganglion, which can be easily felt;
- Fever above 38ºC;
- Ganglion pain during palpation;
- Feeling sick;
- Vomiting and diarrhea, being more frequent in the case of mesenteric adenitis.
Adenitis is more common in the cervical, axillary or groin regions, however it can also affect the lymph nodes located in the intestine and stomach, for example.
Possible causes
In general, adenitis can be caused by viruses, such as cytomegalovirus, HIV virus and Epstein-Barr virus, or by bacteria, the main ones beingStaphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus β-hemolytic group-A, Yersinia enterocolitica, Y. pseudotuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis, Shigella sp or Salmonella sp. In some cases, inflammation of the ganglia may also be a consequence of tumors, as in the case of lymphoma, or be due to an inflammatory bowel disease, for example.
Thus, according to the cause and the location where the symptoms appear, adenitis can be classified into some types, the main ones being:
- Cervical adenitis, in which there is inflammation of the lymph nodes located in the neck and can be related to bacterial infections, viral infections by HIV or Epstein-Baar, or lymphoma;
- Mesenteric adenitis, in which there is inflammation of the ganglia that are connected to the intestine, mainly caused by the bacteria Yersinia enterocolitica. Learn more about mesenteric adenitis;
- Sebaceous adenitis, in which there is inflammation of the sebaceous glands due to the proliferation of bacteria that are naturally found on the skin, such as Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis;
- Tuberous adenitis, in which the inflammation of the lymph nodes is due to the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
It is important that the cause and type of adenitis are identified so that the doctor can indicate the most appropriate treatment and, thus, prevent the appearance of complications.
How the treatment is done
The treatment of adenitis should be indicated by the general practitioner and may vary according to the type of adenitis and symptoms presented by the person. Thus, in the case of adenitis caused by bacteria, the use of antibiotics may be recommended, which should be indicated according to the infectious agent identified, and the use of Amoxicillin, Cephalexin or Clindamycin, for example, may be indicated.
In addition, in the case of mesenteric adenitis by viruses, the use of medications to relieve symptoms, such as pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs, may be indicated by the doctor, until the body eliminates the virus responsible for the inflammation.
In the case of cervical adenitis caused by viruses, in addition to anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics, the use of antivirals according to the virus responsible for adenitis may be recommended. If cervical adenitis is due to a tumor, surgery may be required to remove the affected ganglion followed by chemotherapy. See more details of the treatment of cervical adenitis.