A patient visits her doctor for a routine checkup.The doctor observes lymphadenopathy,or swollen lymph nodes in the side of the patient's neck.The patient says,"Those have been swollen for a few months,but I have felt fine that whole time." Indeed there are no other symptoms.What is a likely cause of this problem?
A) The patient is developing a bacterial infection.
B) The patient needs a tonsillectomy.
C) The patient is HIV positive.
D) The patient is recovering from the flu.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Swollen lymph nodes (lymphadenopathy) can be a symptom of many conditions, including bacterial or viral infections, autoimmune diseases, and cancer. However, in this case, the fact that the swelling has been present for several months with no other symptoms suggests a chronic underlying condition. HIV infection is a common cause of prolonged lymphadenopathy, as the virus attacks and damages the immune system, leading to persistent swelling of the lymph nodes. It is important for the patient to undergo further testing to confirm or rule out this possibility.

A Patient Visits Her Doctor for a Routine Checkup