Diseases, Conditions & Concerns / Question
Published: July 23, 1999
Dear TeenHealthFX,
What do swollen glands in my neck mean?
Signed: Swollen Glands
Dear Swollen Glands,
Glands are part of the body's drainage system called the lymphatic system. It is a sign of your body's defense system at work. Many sets of glands are found in the neck and they often get swollen during an illness such as a cold or virus. Most swollen glands are not painful or larger than an olive and most go away (get smaller) without any treatment.
If the glands in your neck have been swollen more than a week, are bothering you, or you have any medical concerns, contact your doctor or a teen health center in your neighborhood to get it checked out.
Signed: TeenHealthFX
Teens whose parents talk to them regularly about the dangers of drugs are 42% less likely to use drugs than those whose parents don’t, yet only 1 in 4 teens report having these conversations. 
