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Hard, movabIe, non-tender lymph nodes
I had an HIV exposure 7 weeks ago. On the 25th day I had an antibody test which came back negative and my GP told me to take it as a conclusive result since my exposure was oral and the risk was low. But the thing is I had bleeding gums and a healing canker sore at that time and I did a mouthwash for just a few seconds just to get rid of the bad breath I had before I met the guy. There was no ejaculation except for the possible pre-cum which I don't remember tasting. I found out the guy is HIV positive after the unprotected oral I had and was wondering if my risk got higher since I've done everything I shouldn't have done before having oral sex cause I've heard that mouthwash could kill the enzymes that saliva has to inhibit HIV. I went to get tested again on 40th day and the same night I had chills for one night only and had a painful lymph node under my chin but I think that was because of a wisdom tooth coming through. I constantly poked it to check if it was still there and suddenly got two more lymph nodes and was wondering if that could be an ARS symptom. Now I have 3 freely movabIe, painless lymph nodes under my chin only. My results for 40th day is coming out next week but I really need an expert's opinion about this.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
Your doctor is right; the chance you have HIV is nil for all practical purposes. The exposure indeed was low risk, even with an HIV infected partner and despite your apparent gum inflammation and canker sore. And your symptoms are not suggestive of an acute HIV infection, which cannot cause the sort of lymph node abnormalities you describe; and the timing of symptoms also is inconsistent with ARS.
Most important, with the modern HIV tests, the results always overrule symptoms and exposure history. While your 25 day test was done a bit too early to be definitive, it is at least 90% sensitive by that time, and your doctor is correct that the combination of low risk to start plus that result can be considered definitive. Another antibody test at 40 days will be truly conclusive.
You can sit back and relax, with no worry while you await that result. You can count on a negative result.
I hope these comments are helpful. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Your doctor is right; the chance you have HIV is nil for all practical purposes. The exposure indeed was low risk, even with an HIV infected partner and despite your apparent gum inflammation and canker sore. And your symptoms are not suggestive of an acute HIV infection, which cannot cause the sort of lymph node abnormalities you describe; and the timing of symptoms also is inconsistent with ARS.
Most important, with the modern HIV tests, the results always overrule symptoms and exposure history. While your 25 day test was done a bit too early to be definitive, it is at least 90% sensitive by that time, and your doctor is correct that the combination of low risk to start plus that result can be considered definitive. Another antibody test at 40 days will be truly conclusive.
You can sit back and relax, with no worry while you await that result. You can count on a negative result.
I hope these comments are helpful. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1) No.
2) Self assessment of lymph node abnormalities, especially by non medical professionals, is notoriously unreliable. Stop doing it.
3) You should not have any more HIV tests.
That indeed is all for this thread. Re-read my original reply, do your best to think objectively, believe the reasoned science-based reassurance you have had both here and from your doctor, and move on with no further obsession about this.
2) Self assessment of lymph node abnormalities, especially by non medical professionals, is notoriously unreliable. Stop doing it.
3) You should not have any more HIV tests.
That indeed is all for this thread. Re-read my original reply, do your best to think objectively, believe the reasoned science-based reassurance you have had both here and from your doctor, and move on with no further obsession about this.
I'm so sorry I know I'm being insistent but this is my last question. 2 of those nodes are on the right side of my chin and seem to be attached to each other, the other is on the left. There's also 2 really tiny bumps on my neck again one on left and on on right but I can't be sure if they are lymph nodes. They are showing the same characteristics as the others, all painless and freely movable and not noticable when I don't touch. I may have caused them to swallow by constantly poking to see if there's any more swollen lymph nodes. They don't hurt at all and that's what's making me worried as I've read that they don't hurt at all during ARS. I'm also having headaches occasionally but they are not so severe. I don't know if headache alone can be considered as fever. I don't have any other symptoms. So my last questions are:
1.Are those considered as Generalized Lymphadenopathy ?
2.Are lymph nodes palpable when they're not swollen ?
3.Do you think I should be tested again if my 40th day results are negative as I started having these symptoms after getting tested ?
Thanks in advance.
1.Are those considered as Generalized Lymphadenopathy ?
2.Are lymph nodes palpable when they're not swollen ?
3.Do you think I should be tested again if my 40th day results are negative as I started having these symptoms after getting tested ?
Thanks in advance.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Several areas of the body simultaneously; not in areas of other obvious inflammation, like a wisdom tooth problem; always associated with fever; and so on. Nothing like you have described.
Thank you for your reply. And just out of curiosity, what are the characteristics of lymph nodes caused by acute HIV infection?
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