For example, a respiratory infection may mean you need an inhaler to help open the airways in the lungs. And depending on the nature of the infection, other treatments could be required, too. Bacterial infectionĪ course of antibiotic treatment may be necessary.
For serious infections, antiviral medications may be needed. If the diagnosis is viral mononucleosis or other common viral infection, then rest and fluids are the typical treatment. In some cases, though, the lump itself can be removed, as there is no other underlying cause to treat. Treating the underlying cause of the neck mass will typically cause the lump to recede.
Swollen lymph nodes in the neck can be a sign of a: Lymph nodes help filter out damaged or harmful cells from lymphatic fluid, and they also help fight infections by housing immune cells that fight disease. You have lymph nodes throughout your body, including split pea-sized on both sides of your neck. The following is a list of common reasons for a small, pea-sized neck lump to form. A neck lump (also called a neck mass) has many potential causes.