Swollen cervical gland

Hi,
I had a protected intercourse with an escort 4 months ago. The condom slipped off near the end. I had had laser hair removal be around the genitals (with some burns on the skin)24hrs before, but no open wounds were visible. I became sick about 48 hours after that. And then two weeks after (symptoms: sore throat, some night sweats, bone and joint pain, no fever or diarrhea). I had a sull STD test 10 days after, all negative. And an ELISA antibody test 82 days after which was negative.
I have a swollen cervical lymph node on one side of my neck, which is tender, painless and non-movable. I noticed this during the time I started to get really stressed (over 3 months ago) and it's still there. Right now I have a sore throat for over two weeks (which the doctor diagnosed viral) with some pain in the ear (possibly infection there too) and some pain in the neck and groin (which is now going away after a few days).
I keep reading that a swollen cervical lymph node with the same feature as mine is a very likely HIV symptom and I'm getting very very stressed again. I thought my test result after 82 days was conclusive, but I also have this persistent sore throat and swollen lymph. Could this be HIV? Please help.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

So many things can cause sore throat and enlarged lymph nodes in the neck, almost all of them more common than HIV.  When primary HIV infection causes enlarged lymph nodes, it does not do so in just one area of the body, and never a single node.  So the symptoms you describe are incompatible with HIV.  Your blood test is a much more reliable indicator; and your 82 day tst indeed is conclusive.  Follow up with your health care provider, but don't lose any sleep about the possibility of HIV acquired from your exposure 4 months ago.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[cervicalgland]

Thank you for you comment, doc. I saw a doctor today. She said first, HIV doesn't result in swollen lymph nodes, AIDS does and it'd be too early for me to develop AIDS after four months if i had HIV. Secondly, my swollen lymph node is benign and is probably due to the constant zits that I have in my upper back or from the mono I had about 10 years ago (when most of my lymph nodes got swollen). Third, the negative test means I'm fine. As for the throat infection, I was prescribed antibiotics.
I have donated to UNICEF to support kids that are infected or have lost parents due to AIDS. I learned a lesson and that is to always practice safe sex with a reliable partner.
Thanks again.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Well, your doc isn't exactly right about lymphadenopathy (lymph node enlargement) and HIV.  The opposite is true:  lymphadenopathy is more typically a sign of early HIV infection (the first few weeks) than of overt AIDS.  But her diagnoses and advice are right on the money.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[HHH,MD]

In fairness to your doc, what I should have said is that either she is wrong or you misunderstood her; a misunderstanding seems more likely.  If she meant the comment in relation to a single lymph node in the neck, and not to generalized lymphadenopathy, she is exactly right:  a single hot node is more likely in overt AIDS than as a sign of early infection.

HHH, MD

[cervicalgland]

Can the first HIV symptoms appear over 3 months after possible exposure? My sore throat is much better but now I feel some pain in the chest, isn't this possibly candida or something? Sorry about the conecerns, I'm just trying to clear my mind of this HIV scare.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Read my other replies.  I have no further comments or advice.

HHH, MD