Signs of Infection
In the human body, there are 500 to 600 lymph nodes that are scattered around. The main function of a lymph node is to prevent possible infections that may spread through bacteria, viruses or any other foreign and harmful particles. Because of this, a lymph node indeed protects and guards the bloodstream where bacteria and viruses may invade anytime. When a lymph node is already around its 10 to 12 years of age, it means that it is at its largest stage.
When a person feels that something is bulging in his or her neck or armpits, he or she may worry that a tumor is present. A lymph node can be felt like a baked bean, or just the size of a pea. But then again, a lymph node is a safe component in the body. It becomes dangerous only when it turns out to be an infected lymph node.
A lymph node is considered an infected one when it is swelling. A lymph node swells only when it is busy doing its functions, like fighting an infection, for that matter. When a lymph node is infected and becomes swollen, its size becomes larger. An infected lymph node can reach the size of one whole inch across. Sometimes, even half an inch is already large enough for the size of a reactive and healthy lymph node.
When a lymph node becomes tender, it signifies infection. This means that the tender lymph node is already infected with a virus or bacteria. A tender lymph node is usually as big as more than one inch across in size. A lymph node is infected also when the skin covering it is already turning pink. Also, it has the tendency to become as large as two inches. When this happens, it means that the infected lymph node is no longer successful in filtering foreign and harmful particles or controlling the existing infection. This type of lymph node, aside from being infected, may also contain pus.