Although it’s not the most well-known condition, mesenteric adenitis is relatively common among children and young teens. It’s often mistaken for appendicitis, but it’s much less severe.
Read on to learn more about it and its common causes from our AFC Urgent Care Sevierville team.
What Is Mesenteric Adenitis?
Mesenteric adenitis (also known as mesenteric lymphadenitis) is the swelling of the lymph nodes in the mesentery, which attaches the intestines to the abdominal wall. It is fairly common among children and teens, and rarely affects people over the age of 20.
Mesenteric adenitis is most often caused by a viral or bacterial intestinal infection, which causes the lymph nodes to swell, thus inducing pain and tenderness. We’ve listed its most common symptoms below.
Common Mesenteric Adenitis Symptoms
- Pain in the abdomen, often on the lower right side
- Abdominal tenderness
- Fever
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
What Are the Risk Factors of Mesenteric Adenitis?
Because mesenteric adenitis is almost always caused by a bacterial or viral infection, it is unlikely to appear out of nowhere. Lymphadenitis is almost always the result of a previous infection, such as a stomach virus, a cold virus or a respiratory infection. Y. enterocolitica-infected pork can also cause lymphadenitis.
If you believe your child is dealing with this condition, monitor his or her symptoms. In most cases, mesenteric adenitis will clear up between a few days and a couple of weeks without medical treatment, but if your child is dealing with significant stomach pain, visit our AFC center just to be safe. In the section below, we’ve outlined some of the most effective ways for your child to avoid developing this illness.
Ways to Prevent Mesenteric Adenitis
- Washing hands regularly with soap
- Avoiding close contact with someone who is sick
- Keeping food preparation areas clean to prevent the spread of viruses and bacteria
You don’t need an appointment to see our AFC team! We’re open seven days a week, so don’t hesitate to stop by today.
