![]() First, a brief primer on why lymph nodes swell. However, rest assured that swollen lymph nodes are just a sign that your immune system is getting to work post-vaccine, says Jamie Alan, Pharm.D., Ph.D., associate professor of pharmacology at Michigan State University.īut what do these glands look and feel like? And how long will the swelling last if you experience this annoying side effect? Ahead, experts explain what to expect. ![]() In fact, the Society of Breast Imaging (SBI) issued a recommendation earlier this year that women should wait to get a mammogram after their COVID-19 vaccine because lymph node swelling in the armpit caused by the vaccine could be mistaken for breast cancer. This can include arm swelling and soreness around the injection site, a mild fever, headaches, chills, and yes, possibly even swollen lymph nodes. With the COVID-19 vaccine, that “something” is a sign that your body is being primed to recognize the novel coronavirus once your immunization is complete-meaning you might experience uncomfortable but short-lived side effects, particularly after the second dose in a two-part series. ![]() After all, when lymph nodes-small, bean-shaped glands throughout your entire body-become enlarged, it’s typically a sign that your immune system is reacting to something it perceives as a threat. Marshall said it’s important to note that doctors do not suggest that women delay their annual mammogram screening and said those screenings should start when they’re 40-years-old.If you’ve ever experienced swollen lymph nodes, you know how uncomfortable (and temporarily concerning) their presence can be. “Going into the healthcare field I knew that there would be times like this, to set the pace for everyone else, so I don’t have hesitation to get the second dose,” she said. Lewis said no matter the side effects, she is eager to receive her second dose. “Wait a few weeks and if there’s no change then come in and we will evaluate it,” Marshall said. The swollen lymph nodes can appear anywhere from 2 to 4 days after you receive the shot. “It means that you’re making antibodies to fight infections, so later on if your body does see a COVID-19 virus, then you’ll be able to fight the infection,” Marshall said. The CDC notes about 11% of people who receive either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine will experience swollen lymph nodes after their first dose and that goes up to 16% after the second dose. “We are asking everybody who is having a screening mammogram if they’ve received the COVID vaccine and, if so, what side and when the date was,” Marshall said. Holly Marshall with University Hospitals Radiology and Breast Imaging Department, said as more and more people are getting vaccinated, they’re getting more calls from women concerned that their swollen lymph nodes are a sign of breast cancer. “I did a little bit of research and it seemed like a lot of women had thought that the swollen lymph node in their axillary area, which is like their armpit area, they thought it was a breast cancer or like a breast malignancy," she said.ĭr. “I was like ’that’s a weird spot to have a tender lymph node,’ but as soon as I put two and two together-that I had just got the COVID vaccine on that side-I figured it was related to that,” she said. It was kind of hard, but still mobile, it moved around,” she said. ![]() “I felt under my armpit to see if there was anything there and I felt a lump. “When I got my vaccine, initially, I did not have any side effects at all,” she said.īut after a few days, she noticed swelling in one of her lymph nodes. She received her first dose of the Moderna vaccine 10 days ago. “I work with COVID-19 patients on a daily basis,” she said. CLEVELAND - Aubrey Lewis has been a nurse at University Hospitals for four years, and for nearly the last year of that time, her work has been dedicated to fighting COVID-19. ![]()
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