Glands are small bean-like structures made of cells. Medically, these are termed as lymph nodes present in your body, forming a part of your immune system, and are found in the throat, abdomen, armpit, groin, and chest. When your body is in the process of fighting an infection, it causes the lymph nodes to swell up.

Are swollen glands sign of COVID-19?

Dr. Thomas Russo, a well-versed professor on infectious diseases, states, “If you have a respiratory tract infection, for example, you could get some swollen glands in your head and neck.” This means that swollen lymph nodes in the neck are the result of various respiratory diseases.

The latest research on corona patients shows that some of them, too, have been victimized by swollen glands. These patients were the ones who had a severe corona infection. No traces of swelling were found in patients with mild inflictions.

Studies published in The Lancet: Infectious Diseases showed that the most severe coronavirus cases caused inflation in the mediastinal lymph nodes. These are the glands present between the lungs, connecting the trachea, esophagus, and heart.

These swollen glands cannot be felt in physical inspection but through a CT scan. Dr. Casciari, Richard Watkins, and Dr. Russo unanimously conclude that COVID might cause swollen lymph nodes in a few cases. Still, it is equally probable that this condition may prevail in the patient before contracting the coronavirus.

A list of COVID-19 symptoms:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has shared a list of COVID-19 symptoms, which is as follows:

• Sore throat
• Fever or chills
• Cough
• Congestion 
• Runny nose
• Fatigue
• Body or muscle aches
• New loss of taste or smell
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Headache
• Diarrhea

It can be commonly observed that glands tend to swell up when you have an infection or illness, whether it be something as simple as mild as cold or flu. Therefore it is understandable if you are concerned. But, luckily, swollen lymph nodes are officially not a sign of the COVID virus.

What should be done if your glands are swollen?

Doctors have not noticed the swelling of glands in mild cases. However, seriously ill patients were found with enlarged glands when the CT scans were conducted. If you observe the above-stated symptoms in yourself or any family member, it will be wise to get yourself tested for swelling of lymph nodes to ensure the disease’s severity. 

However, in any case, it cannot be concluded that the swelling is solely caused by the virus. As there are various other reasons for the swelling.

If the swelling was already present regardless of the virus, it would be difficult to track the actual cause. If the lymph nodes have stayed swollen for a long duration, it is crucial to find its cause and get suitable treatment.