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Are Swollen Lymph Nodes A Symptom Of HIV?
Question: Hello Doctor,
I had unprotected sex in the month of July. After then i was worried and met with a doctor on 40th day and he checked me completely and asked me to take HIV PCR DNA test, HSV 1 & 2, VDRL and urine test. I gave my blood sample on 41st day and result came after one week and all results came negative. I showed my results to my doctor and he said i dont have any STD's and nothing to worry about. But after 2 months from the exposure i got swollen lymph node behind my left ear. It was little painful when i touch them in the beginning, after few days it started reducing but still its there. Last week i got one more back of my neck and yesterday there was a pain in my armpit when i checked its not swollen.
When does swollen lymph nodes appear in HIV? If so will it appear one by one or how?
I am afraid now kindly help me.
I had unprotected sex in the month of July. After then i was worried and met with a doctor on 40th day and he checked me completely and asked me to take HIV PCR DNA test, HSV 1 & 2, VDRL and urine test. I gave my blood sample on 41st day and result came after one week and all results came negative. I showed my results to my doctor and he said i dont have any STD's and nothing to worry about. But after 2 months from the exposure i got swollen lymph node behind my left ear. It was little painful when i touch them in the beginning, after few days it started reducing but still its there. Last week i got one more back of my neck and yesterday there was a pain in my armpit when i checked its not swollen.
When does swollen lymph nodes appear in HIV? If so will it appear one by one or how?
I am afraid now kindly help me.
Brief Answer:
HIV1 ruledout.Antibodytest after 12 weeks indicate
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
A negative HIV DNA PCR done 40 days after high risk contact ruled out HIV 1 infection which is more common (99%). HIV 2 is rare except in XXXXXXX that too less than 1%. HIV antibody tests like ELISA or Rapid test have to be done to rule out HIV 2 after 12 weeks of High risk contact.
Lymph node behind ear is not a specific finding for HIV, it can occur in many conditions other than HIV.
Lymph node enlargement in HIV can occur after 3 months on wards, but confirmed only with biopsy or reactive blood test.
Dr S.Murugan
HIV1 ruledout.Antibodytest after 12 weeks indicate
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
A negative HIV DNA PCR done 40 days after high risk contact ruled out HIV 1 infection which is more common (99%). HIV 2 is rare except in XXXXXXX that too less than 1%. HIV antibody tests like ELISA or Rapid test have to be done to rule out HIV 2 after 12 weeks of High risk contact.
Lymph node behind ear is not a specific finding for HIV, it can occur in many conditions other than HIV.
Lymph node enlargement in HIV can occur after 3 months on wards, but confirmed only with biopsy or reactive blood test.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thanks for the answer doctor.
I took Rapid screening test from reputed hospital today and result came negative. Can i consider this as conclusive result? Also i check with the doctor for Lymp node enlargement and he checked my nodes and asked me to take Ultra sound scan.
Lymph node behind ear was less than 2 millimeter and second behind neck was 3 millimeter. He looked at my report and said nothing to worry about, lymph nodes might have enlarged due to some infection and asked me to come back if these nodes enlarge more than the current stage.
Kindly advice me on the same.
I took Rapid screening test from reputed hospital today and result came negative. Can i consider this as conclusive result? Also i check with the doctor for Lymp node enlargement and he checked my nodes and asked me to take Ultra sound scan.
Lymph node behind ear was less than 2 millimeter and second behind neck was 3 millimeter. He looked at my report and said nothing to worry about, lymph nodes might have enlarged due to some infection and asked me to come back if these nodes enlarge more than the current stage.
Kindly advice me on the same.
Brief Answer:
HIV free. Antibiotics cure lymph adenitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Congratulations! Your antibody test done 3 months after the high risk contact was also nonreactive. So you had ruled the possibility of both HIV 1 and HIV 2. Now you are HIV free.
As your doctor told that the lymph node enlargement might be due to some infection either in throat, ear or over scalp of head. A careful examination and appropriate antibiotic will cure you.
Get well soon.
Dr S.Murugan
HIV free. Antibiotics cure lymph adenitis.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Congratulations! Your antibody test done 3 months after the high risk contact was also nonreactive. So you had ruled the possibility of both HIV 1 and HIV 2. Now you are HIV free.
As your doctor told that the lymph node enlargement might be due to some infection either in throat, ear or over scalp of head. A careful examination and appropriate antibiotic will cure you.
Get well soon.
Dr S.Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
You are most welcome
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You are Welcome. If you are not having any more queries you can close this conversation.
Wish you a happy and healthy life ahead.
Dr S.Murugan
You are most welcome
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
You are Welcome. If you are not having any more queries you can close this conversation.
Wish you a happy and healthy life ahead.
Dr S.Murugan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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