Immune response: When should you not worry about swollen glands

HAVE you ever wondered why your glands swell up when you’re run-down, or battling a stinking cold?

“Lymph glands swell up when we’re exposed to any sort of infection,” explains Matthew Trotter, an ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon. “So [with] coughs, viruses, sore throats, urine, bowel and bladder infections, etc – your glands will swell up.”

While swollen glands indicate that you’ve picked up an infection it’s also a sign your immune system is doing its job, cranking into action and sending a stream of bug-busting white blood cells around your body.