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617123 tn?1221839219

Could this be HIV early symptoms?

Hello,

In Feb/08, I had a dentist work on filling my cavities and used composite filling on both my left (30, 31) and right (17,18,19) teeth. About 1 month later, my lymph nodes got swollen right under my jaw on both sides. They don’t hurt and can only be felt by touch.

However, on Mar 2, I had a sexual encounter with a guy and the condom broke. We continued to date and have unprotected sex till Aug 2. During that time, my lymph nodes keep increasing in size and going back down.
My doctor put me on cipro and on the second doze of it, I got a rash that looks like goosebumps, on my neck, chest and on the upper back. It somehow went to my legs but only visible as hair standing up for heat. It seems to have gone down 5 days later but now had gone to my arms and is only visible when it’s cold so I have to keep warm to keep it off. My skin was sensitive during this time and has now become dry.

Is this what an HIV rash is since I have the swollen glands, even before my encounter with this new man? Previously, I have had problems of my neck(pharynx, I think) where I can’t talk for about 20 mins. I have not had any fever and although it’s the flu season and my housemates have had bad colds, I only had a cold for about 10 hours with only head congestion.

Please advice on what this could be. I also have HPV, could the swollen glands be from lots of oral sex from a previous partner?

Thanks!
21 Responses
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617123 tn?1221839219
Thanks for your response. I guess I don't need another test done.
Cheers!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You've been reported to MedHelp, move on.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Take your BS to another form. You are not even close to be qualified to answer anyone's post on this forum or any other forum.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The only conclusive negative test result is 3 months post exposure.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Teak is stating what is very true---you need to test after your last exposure. Because every exposure does not equal infection. In other words, you have to pretend like the months before the last one dont exist and you have to test for the last time you had sex. Teak will say your test me squat until 3 months---but other very reputable places like the GMHC and the ask the doctor forum here (which you have to pay 15 bucks to ask the HIV specialist docs) will state the same. 4-6 weeks virtually all will test poz. Check the new york state health website and call the GMHC hot line at 1800aidsNYC they are the elite in HIV research and testing----they will tell you the same----that your 4 week negative test is 85-to-90% accurate---if your not comfortable with that number get tested at 6 weeks or 8 weeks.
Helpful - 0
617123 tn?1221839219
thanks for all your responses. I got tested negative at 3 months and just wanted to confirm with what teak had said. Also had ultrasound for my neck and I have swollen salivary glands possibly due from dental work on both sides under my jaw. there's a lot of people who confuse glands with lymph nodes. ...and the rash, I think I have contact dermatitis from the hair dye I had done at the salon since my skin is sensitive to certain chemical e.g. perfume
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If you keep poking at your nodes they will flare up----symptoms for HIV dont show up in everyone, but when and if they do 2-4 weeks after being infected---you will know----
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
In most cases 85-90% of people who will Seroconvert (test Positive from HIV) will do so within the 4-6 weeks. If you pay the 15 bucks the doctors in the Ask the Dr forums will tell you the same. The state of Mass has made their testing conclusive at 6 weeks. I just tested 4 weeks after my last exposure and because of CDC guidelines, by law it cant be said you are neg at 4 weeks. But even the state of NYC website will state virtually all people will test negative by 4 to 6 weeks with many even sooner. Now if your risk was REALLY HIGH--like he is confirmed to be HIV POZ then you want to test to 3 months. Some places are more conservative call 1800aidsNYC its the GMHC---they know what they are doing.

Joe
Helpful - 0
617123 tn?1221839219
Hi Teak,
In regards to your response about the test being conclusive after my last and not first exposure, do you mean that even though I have been with someone for 3 months, the test is not conclusive after the 3 months, and that I should get a test say 3 months after the 1st 3 months are over? I didn't understand on your response above. I only dated this guy for 3 months and got tested at the end of the 3 months (say 3 weeks) after end of relationship. Please advice.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
It's after you last unprotected sex not your first.
Helpful - 0
617123 tn?1221839219
but the first time we had unprotected sex was May 2. I am thinking a test done Sept 2nd would have a conclusive result right?
i am very concerned about the hiv rash though? does it feel like a burning there and would it clear with no mark after less then 14 days?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Aug 2, was the last time you had unprotected sex. You conclusive test won't be until Nov.2.
Helpful - 0
617123 tn?1221839219
also, i think i should take back the itching bit. It feels more like prickly - like a heat rash prickness but not really itchy since I can do without scrathcing it. sorry about that :(
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617123 tn?1221839219
actually, i don't get my results until next week on Tuesday hence the stress :)
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Avatar universal
No and as you've been told you are negative and nothing that is going on with you is related to ARS.
Helpful - 0
617123 tn?1221839219
Teak, I have read all your responses from other test and think you are a greta person. I would like to thank you for your quick responses to lots of 'worriers' like me on here. However, should I be worried about my swollen lymph nodes? They've been swollen for about 5 months now. 1 month before my encounter though they become worse after that. You can barely see them but I can feel them. I've had a red throat when they become inflammed together with an ear infection. Is this anything like ARS?
thanks once again.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You are negative. See a dermatologist if you have a concern. It doesn't have anything to do with HIV.
Helpful - 0
617123 tn?1221839219
i tested 3 months after my exposure. although the rash started itching a little once it was clearing up. how long does tha hiv rash take to clear and does it come in form of the goosebump looking rash? it's clearing wiht no visible marks left on me. at the beginning there was some burning behind my ear where i thought my skin texture changed though no one can see a difference, i can still feel it. the skin color is the same.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Rashes with HIV don't itch. When did you test after your possible exposure?
Helpful - 0
617123 tn?1221839219
Yes, i have and pick up the results in 5 days time but i am under a lots of stress. the rash itches like a heat rash on my under arms though you can barely see it there.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Have you tested for HIV?
Helpful - 0
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