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Our Health Library information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Please be advised that this information is made available to assist our patients to learn more about their health. Our providers may not see and/or treat all topics found herein.

Lymph system

The lymph system is a network of vessels and organs throughout the body. This network carries a fluid that contains special white blood cells called lymphocytes between the body tissues and the blood.

The lymph system includes the lymph nodes, tonsils, thymus, spleen, and bone marrow. The lymph nodes filter lymph fluid as it flows through them, trapping bacteria, viruses, and other foreign substances, which are then destroyed by the lymphocytes.

The lymph system is also an important part of the immune system, the body's defense against disease. When a part of the body is infected, the nearby lymph nodes become swollen as they collect and destroy the infecting organisms. For example, if a person has a throat infection, lymph nodes in the neck may swell and become tender.

Sometimes diseases, like cancer, can begin and spread through the lymph system.

The bivalent COVID vaccine (also known as the Omicron variant COVID-19 vaccine) is now approved for all ages 6 months or over.

What this may mean for your child/children:

1) If they have received the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine already, then you are considered fully vaccinated at this point.

2) If your child is between 6 months and 5 years old, and have either not started the vaccine series, or have only partially completed the series, they will need to receive the bivalent vaccine(s) to complete that series.

3) If your child is 5 years or older and has never received the bivalent COVID-19 vaccine, they likely have some antibody protection to COVID-19 and need just a single bivalent vaccine to be considered completely vaccinated.

If you have any questions about your child’s COVID-19 vaccine needs, please contact our office. You can contact our office at Towson by calling (410) 494-1369 or our Foundry Row location at (410) 526-7993.