A lymph node is a small, bean-shaped mass of tissue that assists in defending the body against infections. Lymph node swelling can be the direct result of a bacterial or viral infection, like human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. When an infection enters the body, the lymph gland closest to infection site starts to swell. In some cases of swollen lymph nodes, HIV infection can be the culprit. The lymph nodes present throughout the body are located in deep tissue, but others can more easily be located in clusters closer to the skin in the armpit, groin, and neck areas.
Lymph nodes can become swollen due to many different types of infections. One of the hallmarks of the infection by the HIV is the selective destruction of a CD4 subset of T lymphocytes. Measures of CD4+T-lymphocytes are used to guide clinical and therapeutic management of HIV-infected persons. The swollen lymph…
