Swollen, hard lymph node in neck of 2yr old

[aurora_skys]

I am torn about whether or not to give him antibiotics. The lymph node is in his neck, close to the base of his skull. It has already been seen by an er physician (we took him to the er because we thought it was swelling related to a fall he had just had) who prescribed antibiotics. The Dr didnt run any tests to confirm a bacterial infection - or a viral one for that matter - and our whole family had been dealing with a virus for the past few days. This happened I think 6 days ago.

I think the swelling is in response to the virus we've had so it wouldnt normally concern me, BUT the lymph node is very big (like an irregularly shape golf ball) and quite hard/unmoveable which I know may be signs that it is infected.

My son doesnt have any symptoms of illness (some fatigue perhaps) but he does complain that the lymph node is painful (pain seems to be mild). The skin over the lymph node is not red or hot and it is not getting any more swollen. 

SO, I want opinions on this, to give the antibiotics or not? It doesnt seem to be a dire condition but I would really, really hate for it to be infected and here I am just letting it get worse and worse. On the other hand, if it isnt infected I really, really do not want to give him antibiotics (hes never had them before and one of them is likely to cause diahrea).

I am going to make an appointment for him at a regular pediatrician but that probably wont be until Monday. 

Any thoughts/advice would be appreciated.

[Toposlonoshlep]

Hmmm.....I WOULD give antibiotics. My DS has always had palpable lymph nodes (he's a skinny kid) in his neck and at the back of his head. Also sometimes behind his ears if he is fighting something. They do enlarge when he is sick, but gold ball-sized and painful sounds pretty infected to me. Golf ball sized in a two year old IS quite large (I believe that more than 1/2 an inch is considered enlarged in a young kid). Hard, unmovable, and irregular are all definitely signs of infection. Also, because it is just the one node, it is likely infected. If they were all evenly swollen, I would say wait it out. But this sounds like one of them got infected. Sorry if I am being repetitive, just typing as I think it out. Hope your little guy is back to good very very soon!

[aurora_skys]

thanks, today there was a red patch on the skin, we are starting the antibiotics

[kittywitty]

Sounds like strep. Has he had a Lyme test?