It sounds like you have an recurring infection. You should get a throat swab test done so you can get an anti-bacterial medication to further cure the infection. Also it is good to gargle salt water several times daily
The lymph node are small swellings of lymphatic system which is part of our immune system. They are located on different parts of the body. They usually engulf bacteria, virus, and dead cells of blood. In case of any infection they swell. You might be having some chronic infection which is not completely treated. They swell when infection become acute and then go back noemal after slight healing but not complete . This is reason of your problem. Go for blood test when lymph nodes are swollen.