What is the common sign of a lymph node that is inflamed?

When a lymph node is inflamed, one of the hallmark signs is pain or tenderness. This occurs due to the body’s immune response to an infection or inflammation in the area that the lymph node drains. The inflammation results in increased blood flow and immune cell activity, which often leads to a sensation of pain. Tenderness is a direct result of the inflammatory process disrupting the normal tissue structure and causing irritation in the surrounding areas.

In contrast, hardness and fixed location are typically associated with malignancy or chronic conditions rather than reactive inflammation. Size reduction does not signify inflammation; rather, lymph nodes may increase in size when they are inflamed due to the accumulation of immune cells and other substances. Therefore, the presence of tenderness or pain is a strong indicator of an active inflammatory process in the lymph node.