Swollen preauricular lymph nodes are a common, non-specific clinical condition that can be caused by a variety of diseases, usually caused by infectious disease or lymphoma.
AIDS, or Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome, is caused by infection with the AIDS virus (HIV) and some patients present with persistent and widespread generalised lymph node enlargement, particularly in the neck, axillae and groin. Patients with multiple swollen lymph nodes throughout the body and a history of HIV exposure should be on high alert and further testing should be performed. A positive HIV antibody will diagnose AIDS.