Why do the lymph nodes swell after vaccination?
Did you also have a swelling in your armpit after the corona vaccination? You may have suffered from swollen lymph nodes. This complaint can be very annoying, but is usually not serious. In the section ‘Side effect’ you can read everything about side effects of medicines.
What are the lymph nodes?
The lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped glands that are located in various parts of the body. The lymph nodes play an important role in the immune system. They filter and destroy harmful substances, bacteria, viruses and damaged cells. This is done with the help of antibodies and white blood cells, which are located in the lymph nodes, among other places.
Lymph nodes are connected to each other through lymphatic vessels. When there is an infection, inflammation, or abnormal cell in the body, the nearest lymph nodes are turned on to fight it. Extra white blood cells and antibodies are produced in the lymph node, which can cause it to swell. Sometimes feels the lymph node also warm, tender or painful to the touch. This will pass.
Why do the lymph nodes swell after vaccination?
After a vaccination, the immune system is activated. By administering the vaccine, the body can recognize parts of the virus and can already practice fighting it, in case you do become infected. This also happens in the lymph nodes. A lymph node swelling is therefore a normal reaction to the vaccine. It means that the body is working hard to make antibodies. In most people who have a swollen lymph node after a vaccination, the swelling is in the armpit of the vaccinated arm. Sometimes the glands in the neck or on the collarbone can also be swollen. When vaccinated in the leg, the groin is the most common site for lymph node swelling.
Swollen lymph nodes after the corona vaccination
Side Effects Center Lareb received about 16,000 reports of people with a swollen lymph node after the corona vaccination until April 2022. After the booster shot, the number of reports of swollen lymph nodes was almost three times higher than after the first or second vaccination. People were also slightly more bothered by the lymph node swelling after the booster injection compared with the first and second vaccination. On average, the swelling developed 1-4 days after vaccination. The complaints arose more quickly with each successive injection. This may be because the immune response can be started more quickly when the body has already produced the antibodies necessary to fight the coronavirus. Sometimes this reaction can also be more intense. In addition, a previous corona infection can play a role in how much you experience side effects.
Lymph node swelling is a common side effect after vaccination. Usually there is no reason to worry about this. Is the swelling in an unusual place, does the swelling last longer than 2 weeks, or have you had (breast) cancer in the past and are you concerned? Then contact your doctor. For more information about the side effects of vaccines, see www.mijnbijwerking.nl†
This article was produced in collaboration with Side Effects Center Lareb† This is the Dutch reporting and knowledge center for side effects of medicines, including vaccines, and the use of medicines during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Lareb identifies risks of the use of medicines in daily practice and generates and disseminates knowledge about this.
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