A Question I have (CSW & Lymph Modes) - Offtopic

[Marins]

Sorry about this being off topic, meaning it has nothing to do with me personal, but there are two things I have seen people mention multiple times which has got me curious.

First, I have seen several people use "CSW" as their encounter. What the heck is CSW? C? Sex Worker? Just curious.

Second, I have also seen a lot of people talk about swolen lymph nodes. While I know where they are located, my question is how do you know you have a swolen lymph node (which I am assuming means I never had otherwise I would know the answer).

Again, sorry for being off topic, in the sense it has nothing to do with me personally, but just curious about these since they seem to come up so often.

[Marins]

Thanks again for the additional information. I found some pictures through google, and at least the ones I found were pretty noticable (and in some cases a bit too much).

Some major swelling in the neck, almost like a connection of hives around the armpits, and I will just leave it at that. So in some cases, at least based on the pictures, they are really noticable.

But I was just curious as some people mentioned they had them and while I knew where they were, never really knew how you would know.

So again, thanks!

[OrionQuest]

Lymph nodes are like gateways in the lymphatic system.  Most people know about blood in the circulatory system but not about lymph in the lymphatic system.  Think of the lymphatic system as a sort of sewage system with the nodes filtering out stuff like dead bacteria and the like.  That's why they swell when there's infection.

I think Teak said that the lymphadenopathy in ARS is noticable by outsiders, but I don't have experience first hand so I'll leave it at that.

[OrionQuest]

Lymph nodes are like gateways in the lymphatic system.  Most people know about blood in the circulatory system but not about lymph in the lymphatic system.  Think of the lymphatic system as a sort of sewage system with the nodes filtering out stuff like dead bacteria and the like.  That's why they swell when there's infection.

I think Teak said that the lymphadenopathy in ARS is noticable by outsiders, but I don't have experience first hand so I'll leave it at that.

[Marins]

Thanks for the additional information. As OrionQuest metioned, it needs to be diagnosed by a doctor, but I am assuming (yes assuming) that it might be noticable if it happens. Since I had the question, I can't ever think of a time it had happened to me nor is it or do I think it is, it was just a question out of curiosity. I believe the main locations (possibly only) are on the neck, armpits, and near the genitals.

I also did some more google searches and found some images, and from what I saw, they are definately noticable, but perhaps not always.

But again, my question was caused by people mentioning they had swollen lymph nodes and since I had never experienced that, was just curious how they knew, so to all that responded (well Orion and Joe) thanks!

[joecool21]

eventually they swell for different types of reason which you could feel. 1 example a common cold if you have it try felling it on your neck you could really fell them swelling, swelling of lymph nodes is a is basically normal. because its doing a good job fighting infection. according to my Doctor jus leave it alone, touching,proding or pressing them just make them more swell.people here including me tend to panic since it is one ARS Glorious symptoms.since my MD expalined it to me i just ignore it and moved on with my daily activities in life as i wait for my final 13 week test. :)

[Marins]

Thanks. That's what I found about CSW. And interesting about your comment about the lymph node thing. Just like most people here who think they have ARS based on symptoms, I guess they are also self diagnosing their lymph nodes. Thanks for the clarification.

[OrionQuest]

Sex Worker is the term used in many medical journals, probably because it sounds more "politically correct" and not as offensive.  

Only a doctor can properly diagnose lymph node swelling

[Marins]

OK, so after many google searches, I am assuming CSW = Commerical Sex Worker? I guess I am more familiar with the term prostitute or hooker. Maybe it's a regional thing.