When after the lymph nodes enlargement the test will be positive?

[lymphnodes2010]

Doctors,

I'm lost and I need your assistance to learn more about lymph node enlargements and it is relation with the  HIV test, in brief I had 2 lymph nodes around my nick area one left and one right one month and half ago, started to get bigger and bigger over the last period, I had two tests, first one 2 days later after I have notice the lymph enlargements and 2nd one today and both came negative ( using rapid acon kit)

Today I can feel the lymph got really big and can feel them easily and I started to notice some other nodes small one around the my nick their for plus I started to uncomfortable swallowing the food so my q.

1-After how long after the onset of lymph nodes enlargement which caused by HIV the patient should be tested positive?
2- When you say the lymph should be generalised do you mean All the lymph nodes in the body should be enlarged?
3-My last exposure was nearly seven months ago should I think about ARS symptoms or it is ridicules to think about ARS at this time?    
4- should I relay on the Rapid test result or should I do ELISA or WB or PCR to be 100% sure ?

[lymphnodes2010]

Sir, you are a wonderful person, thank you very much for the clarifications.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

1.  If it has been more than 8 weeks since your last potential exposure, you negative rapid test at this time is solid evidence that you do not have HIV.  You do not need to worry and do not need further testing.
2.  Yes
3.  See above, no further testing is needed.

Take care.  EWH

[lymphnodes2010]

Dear Doctor

I got tested today using Rapid test and came Negative but please could you clarify, some points and I promise you I will not bother you again as I know how busy you are:

1- does today  Negative result a  Guarantee that i'm free from being HIV infected as my last exposure was seven nearly month ago.
2-Doea today's result a prove that the swollen Lymph Nodes are not caused by HIV as the Lymph Nodes enlargements started 6 weeks ago.

3- Is the timing of last exposure ( nearly seven months ago) and HIV rapid test. enough and no further testing required ?  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our site.  If you are using lymph node enlargement to evaluate your risk for HIV you are, as you say in your first sentence, lost.  There are many other illnesses which can cause lymph node swelling.  Swollen lymph nodes are a non-specific response to any number of stimuli including infections due to bacteria and viruses, allergic reactions and autoimmune disease.  Of all persons with swollen lymph nodes only a tiny proportion of them have HIV.  Thus there are different responses for different situations.  If you are concerned about swollen lymph nodes, the proper place to get evaluated is with a good internal medicine physician.  If you are concerned about lymph nodes swelling, go see your doctor.  If you are concerned about HIV, go get tested.  

In answer to your specific questions:

1.  Most people with swollen lymph nodes due to HIV will have a positive HIV at that time.  If the lymph nodes swelling has just occurred, it may day 5-7 days for the test to become positive.

2.  Yes, lymph nodes all over the body should be swollen.  the person to evaluate this is not you but a trained health care provider.  

3.  No, it is too long to be worried about ARS.  Worrying about ARS is a waste of time.

4.  There is no need to spend the money for a PCR test and many reasons to not do it.  Just get tested with a standard antibody test for HIV.  A rapid test would be fine, as would an ELISA.

Hope this helps.  Sounds like you need testing, not to be worrying about swollen lymph nodes.  EWH