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Unprotected Sex. Later Had Swollen Lymph Nodes In Armpits, Neck Area, Upper Ear. HIV? Or Due To Stress?

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Posted on Fri, 28 Sep 2012
Question: Dear Doc,
About 2 months ago I had unprotected sex with a FSW in the phillipines, not to sound degraded, however we were in the ocean when we had intercourse. I didn't think to ask about her health status until afterwards. She joked around and told me she had HIV, but then told me she is checked on weekly basis for STD's, and STI's. I have been experiencing swollen lymph node(s) starting in my groin, a week later near the right side of my chest, and a week later in both armpits, and last week my neck and now recently behind the top side of the right ear. Some are tender, hard, and uncomfortable, I have poked at them due to anxiety. I am very stressed out. about a month ago I had tests for the Clap, Gonorreha, Hep C, Syphillis, a cbc. All came back negative, and my cbc came back normal. Could this be from HIV? I am waiting to test after this month for HIV. My other questions are that from my stress and anxiety, could that have caused the swelling? I have lost my appetite some days either due to stressing about this, or if I do have the virus. I am getting 5 to 7 hrs of sleep I'm 22, Male, and very physically fit. Another thing I have thought about is could it be from traveling from country to country?
Correction, 1st symptom started about 3 weeks after that night. Everything following as i stated.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rohit Batra (1 hour later)
Hi,
Thanks for your query.
You are having Generalized Lymphadenopathy.
I am sorry to say that this may not be due to stress or anxiety and also not because of your frequent travelling (provided you don’t encounter any infectious disease during your visits).
This has to be thoroughly investigated and examined in detail by a physician.
There are many causes of generalized lymphadenopathy apart from sexually transmitted diseases or HIV, and most of them are treatable.
Blood tests for HIV take some time to become positive in blood. If you want to go for early detection of HIV, you have to get tested for p24 Ag in blood for HIV or get a viral culture for HIV done.
I would suggest that you get yourself examined and tested.
I wish you a speedy recovery.

Please do accept my reply if you have no follow up queries.

Best regards
Dr Rohit Batra


Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Aparna Kohli
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Rohit Batra (15 hours later)
I understand that, what I would like to know is how common or I guess what are the statistics for heterosexual males to catch HIV from a female, and if my symptoms are like it would be from HIV? Basically I'm asking someone who is a specialist, what are my odds, its too late for a anitgen test, its been 2 months. I'm waiting for my 3 month to test, however I am obsessing over this to a point I'm exhausting myself. I will test in about 3 weeks. I'm just looking for hope that my odds are in favor of being negative.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Rohit Batra (6 hours later)
Hi,

Thanks for your query.

I am really concerned about your problem.

Chances to get HIV infection in unprotected heterosexual contact are more in females as compared to male. Chances are further more if any of partner had any sore/ulcer/cut on genital.
But still as per data, chances to get HIV infection in such case are less than 1%.

As I suggested earlier, there are many other causes of generalized lymphadenopathy apart from HIV and they may be treatable.

I wish your serology for HIV will be negative.

I hope your query is well answered. If you have no more question then please do accept my reply.

Wish you a speedy recovery from this problem.

Best regards.
Note: Get personalized answers to your HIV related queries You can choose to talk face to face with your doctor. Book a Video Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Jyoti Patil
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Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Rohit Batra

Dermatologist

Practicing since :2003

Answered : 304 Questions

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Unprotected Sex. Later Had Swollen Lymph Nodes In Armpits, Neck Area, Upper Ear. HIV? Or Due To Stress?

Hi,
Thanks for your query.
You are having Generalized Lymphadenopathy.
I am sorry to say that this may not be due to stress or anxiety and also not because of your frequent travelling (provided you don’t encounter any infectious disease during your visits).
This has to be thoroughly investigated and examined in detail by a physician.
There are many causes of generalized lymphadenopathy apart from sexually transmitted diseases or HIV, and most of them are treatable.
Blood tests for HIV take some time to become positive in blood. If you want to go for early detection of HIV, you have to get tested for p24 Ag in blood for HIV or get a viral culture for HIV done.
I would suggest that you get yourself examined and tested.
I wish you a speedy recovery.

Please do accept my reply if you have no follow up queries.

Best regards
Dr Rohit Batra