Question: How concerned should I be about persistent swollen lymph nodes in my armpits and groin after 4 months? A dull pain comes and goes.



I live in the UAE where being HIV positive will get me deported. I’ve had three negative tests (most recent being 95 days after potential exposure) but I am nervous that because I went to an anonymous clinic that the results could have been tampered with. I have visited a GP but have had to avoid addressing my concerns directly. Could a viral or bacterial infection other than HIV still be causing my nodes to be swollen after all this time? My doctor did basic blood work and identified that I have hypothyroidism but it is unclear if it is related.



I’ve had no tests for viruses or bacteria with him. If I do have HIV and it is identified in a test I will be imprisoned.

Are there any viruses or bacteria other than HIV that would cause this ongoing symptom for such an extended period of time?

Could my nodes be swollen as a result to an autoimmune condition causing swollen lymph nodes?

How concerned should I be about persistent swollen lymph nodes in my armpits and groin after 4 months? A dull pain comes and goes.



I live in the UAE where being HIV positive will get me deported. I’ve had three negative tests (most recent being 95 days after potential exposure) but I am nervous that because I went to an anonymous clinic that the results could have been tampered with. I have visited a GP but have had to avoid addressing my concerns directly. Could a viral or bacterial infection other than HIV still be causing my nodes to be swollen after all this time? My doctor did basic blood work and identified that I have hypothyroidism but it is unclear if it is related.



I’ve had no tests for viruses or bacteria with him. If I do have HIV and it is identified in a test I will be imprisoned.

Are there any viruses or bacteria other than HIV that would cause this ongoing symptom for such an extended period of time?

Could my nodes be swollen as a result to an autoimmune condition causing swollen lymph nodes?

1- one month after a trip to Cambodia I had flu symptoms my lymph nodes in my arm pits and groin became enlarged and were aching. The swelling would flare up and with that night sweats. Previously, I had a slightly enlarged firm lymph node on the back of my neck. After another few weeks it also became extremely enlarged. This is the area where I had a biopsy which came back without any concern of cancer. This revealed concern about my thyroid. The doctor did a test and identified that I have hypothyroidism. The swollen lymph node on my neck has returned to normal but the swelling in my armpit and groin persists. However, I no longer have and other symptoms or night sweats. It has now been 4 months total

2- they are quite small and easy to move. I would say a third of the size of a mosquito bite.

3- at the onset of symptoms I had lost weight and appetite. This persisted for a couple of weeks. Recently, my weight has increased quite a bit. This is likely somewhat due to quarantining. However, I understand this is could also be due to hypothyroidism.

4- all symptoms of a fever subsided but lasted 2-3 weeks. This obviously had be very concerned and led to my initial HIV test which was negative. Because the nodes remained enlarged after the fever symptoms I had two more tests. The most recent being 95 days after a potential exposure.

I had a full blood count and everything came back normal except my thyroid. I am now taking medication.

Are the continuing nodes a potential side effect of hypothyroidism. My doctor suggested it is but due to the risk of HIV I didn’t not tell him about the potential exposure or flu symptoms.

Could they be the result of tuberculosis? I was in Cambodia for a week.

1- one month after a trip to Cambodia I had flu symptoms my lymph nodes in my arm pits and groin became enlarged and were aching. The swelling would flare up and with that night sweats. Previously, I had a slightly enlarged firm lymph node on the back of my neck. After another few weeks it also became extremely enlarged. This is the area where I had a biopsy which came back without any concern of cancer. This revealed concern about my thyroid. The doctor did a test and identified that I have hypothyroidism. The swollen lymph node on my neck has returned to normal but the swelling in my armpit and groin persists. However, I no longer have and other symptoms or night sweats. It has now been 4 months total

2- they are quite small and easy to move. I would say a third of the size of a mosquito bite.

3- at the onset of symptoms I had lost weight and appetite. This persisted for a couple of weeks. Recently, my weight has increased quite a bit. This is likely somewhat due to quarantining. However, I understand this is could also be due to hypothyroidism.

4- all symptoms of a fever subsided but lasted 2-3 weeks. This obviously had be very concerned and led to my initial HIV test which was negative. Because the nodes remained enlarged after the fever symptoms I had two more tests. The most recent being 95 days after a potential exposure.

I had a full blood count and everything came back normal except my thyroid. I am now taking medication.

Are the continuing nodes a potential side effect of hypothyroidism. My doctor suggested it is but due to the risk of HIV I didn’t not tell him about the potential exposure or flu symptoms.

Could they be the result of tuberculosis? I was in Cambodia for a week.