hiv and lymph nodes

[curious247]

After possible exposure to hiv I started having symptoms of hiv about a week later. I went to the doctor with a sore throat, a little fever, and extreme fatigue. He said I had a severe cold that may even be the beginning of the flu. I wasn’t convinced. He gave me antibiotics and about 4 days later I felt fine. One thing that worries me is that my lymph node underneath my neck was swollen for about a day but went down after a day of antibiotics. My questions are:

1) How long do lymph nodes usually stay swollen?
2) Will antibiotics take away early hiv symptoms that quickly?

I would greatly appreciate any answers you may have. Thank you

[Teak]

You don't have symptoms a week later, if you have them at all.

[Possible??]

What makes you say you cannot have primary HIV infection after one week following exposure? I have seen this timeframe jump all around from a few day to not ealier the 10 day. Even Dr H says from 7-10 days.

Have you ever seen any hard facts that theses symtoms cannot start before 7 days?

Thanks for all you do!

[ProbablyJustParanoid]

What may I ask was your possible exposure?

[curious247]

It was a dumb mistake, but it was about 10 min. of unprotected heterosexual intercourse.

[curious247]

I am really curious about the lymph nodes; one they only stay around for one day with a virus as strong as hiv? They were only there for a day and there was only one of them. Any info would help, thank you so much

[Wear/a/Jimmy]

doc gave you antibiotics for a virus....

I wouldn't trust him for any other advice from then on out.

[curious247]

Sorry, let me straighten that out, I wasn't thinking. He said it was possibly the beginnings of acute bronchitis. Sorry about that.....

[ProbablyJustParanoid]

If you are a guy...HIV is not transmitted very easily through heterosexual contact. It is easier for women to contract in this type of situation. The lymph node went away which is a good thing...with or without antibiotics. Also people with HIV will have generalized enlargement of lymph nodes (more than one area ie neck, groin, underarms) not one single enlarged node. I am not gonna say that you CAN'T have ARS a week after exposure but from what I know its usually 2-4 weeks later. You can sit there and throw all your symptoms together and make it out to be HIV but to be perfectly honest from a medical perspective (I'm a med student) there are HUNDREDS of other diseases out there which have those symptoms and are WAYYY more common than HIV. If I were you I wouldn't worry...I know...easier said than done. I am still trying to get over my own fear...I find that looking at other peoples postings and seeing how absurd some of their fears are helps me realize how absurd my own fears are. Also as far as fever goes (#1 most common symptom of ARS)...it wont be mild...it will be high. You are over analyzing. Have a test...get your negative result and move on. :)

[curious247]

Thank you so much! You have been such a  big help! I know that I was probably being a bit paranoid. I will get a test though just to make sure. Thank you so much for everything.

[ProbablyJustParanoid]

No Problem!