Conversation: The conversation between human and AI assistant.
[|Human|] I started around the 11th with a huge carbuckle in my scalp and had one small swollen lymph node in the back of my head.  I went to the dr who put me on bactrim for 10 days and this took care of the boil.  While on this I noticed a few more small swollen lymph nodes on my head, neck, near my armpit (no bigger than a pea).  This past weekend, I had a stomach virus and now I feel swollen lymph nodes all over.  I am going for a ct scan today but am scared to death it could be cancer/lymphoma.  I also have a chronic post nasal drip.
[|AI|]  Welcome to Chat Doctor, I really appreciate your concern, Are lymph nodes painful? Swollen, tender, painful lymph nodes are indicative for infection. It might be a viral or bacterial infection. Common causes are :Strep throat, Mononucleosis,tonsillitis, mouth sores etc. If not then it can be a cancer for that you need to undergo a test called fine needle aspiration cytology. Usually a bacterial infection needs a course of antibiotics such as Bactrim which you took, and a viral infection doesn't require specific treatment. To improve her symptoms she needs to rest, Chat Doctor. -applying a warm, wet compress to the affected area may help.-She can take NSAIDs to reduce the pain and inflammation like: Ibuprofen, Acetaminophen. If she starts to have fever, or the symptoms doesn't seem to improve, she needs to consult a physician and get examined. A detailed medical history, physical examination, Complete blood count test are necessary for the diagnosis. Please let me know if you have any questions, thanks.regards.