Swollen lymph nodes usually do not kill you. Swollen lymph nodes are mostly seen when inflammation occurs in lymph nodes, caused by bacterial infection, which manifests as red, swollen, painful and enlarged lymph nodes, and sometimes there may be central abscess formation in lymph nodes. If a lymph abscess is formed during the treatment of lymphadenitis, the abscess will need to be surgically incised and replaced. Of course, in case of malignant tumors showing enlarged lymph nodes, such as hematologic diseases or lymphoma, it may lead to death.