Swollen Lymph Nodes, Unprotected Sex, Concerned about HIV

[mikesmi]

I started my line of questioning in the wrong forum so I have included a link to my orignal question and answer below to provide a history of my symptoms these last couple months.

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/STDs/Gonorrhea-gone-Swollen-Lymph-Nodes-Remain-and-other-symptoms-Concerned-about-HIV/show/980768

It has now been approx. 11 weeks since my my exposure. My congestion and sore throat have improved, only to decline shortly after, and then improve again. I could attribute that to allergies and be at ease. They lymph nodes I was concerned about in my original post have remain unchanged and I understand it can take the lymph system substantial time to drain. Upon examination my General Practictioner informed me that my symptoms were non-specific but that was about the extent of his input. What worries me is that in the past couple days I have developed a new swollen lymph node in my groin and another under my jaw.

I have read that ARS will always manifest it self within 1-4 weeks from exposure and that any symptom occuring after that time would not be attributed to HIV infection.

I wanted to ask if you consider the above statement to be true.

Does the fact that these new lymph nodes appeared 10 and a half weeks after exposure rule out the possibility that they could be caused by HIV?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I reviewed our earlier exchange and will paste in the relevant part of my response rather than repeat it. -

As for your lymph nodes, 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.  In addition, swollen lymph nodes such as the ones you have noted in your groin can persist long after the infection has resolved.  I would urge you not to worry.  If you are concerned about swollen lymph nodes, the proper place to get evaluated is with a good internal medicine physician.

Adding to that and considering your negative tests, I am confident that the development of additional lymph nodes is due to something other than HIV.  The list of what might be causing this is huge and, again as I said above, best dealt with in a direct exchange with your own health care provider.  It is normal for a lymph node to be tender, particularly if it is being traumatized by repeated examination.

As for the ARS, the A stands for acute.  this syndrome which is rare and occurs in substantially less than half of persons who get HIV, typically occurs about 2-3 weeks following exposure.  

I really think it is time to think about something other than HIV as the cause of your lymph node swelling.  EWH

[mikesmi]

I neglected to mention that the area surrounding the new lymph node has been sore for a couple weeks. However having been checking the area daily I know with certainty that it only just appeared. It feels like the corresponding lymph node on the opposite side of the groin might be swelling as well.

[mikesmi]

Being that my GP who is said to have specialty in Internal Medicine is unable to provide any insight besides saying my symptoms are non-specific; am I to assume my lymph nodes are fine or would you recommend I seek out another physician?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, I would go with what your doctor ahs told you.  EWH