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Generalized Swollen Glands...very nervous
Dear Dr. HHH,
Thank you fro your answers to so many questions; I have learned so much from you.
I am a gay male who practices safer sex. I have only had anal sex once in my life, and it was for 5 minutes with a condom 3 years ago. For this entire past year, my sexual activity has been limited to deep kissing and mutual masterbation. I started dating a guy several weeks ago. We have kissed, had some anal fingering, mutual masterbation, and for about three minutes he performed oral sex on me with no ejaculation. I know that receiving oral sex bares some small risk. This was a one time event. About a week later, my lymph nodes swelled up in my armpits and groin. At first they were very tender and painful. I had no other real symptoms besides tiredness and loss of appetite. I don't believe I had a fever. When I told him about my concern, he insisted that he was recently tested and had no diseases of any kind; he wishes for us to keep seeing each other.
Now it is about a week and a half later and my glands are significantly better, although one on the left side of my neck has acted up. I know that I should get tested and I will but I am so nervous. My questions are: 1. Are swollen glands alone a strong sign of ARS? Are there many other causes for swollen glands? 2. Is it true that swollen glands associated with ARS are generally not painful but just enlarged? 3. Is it true that 96% of people displaying ARS symptoms have a fever? 4. Are all the sexual activities I listed having done besides receiving oral sex (fingering, kissing, masterbation) no risk activities?
Thank you so much!!!
Thank you fro your answers to so many questions; I have learned so much from you.
I am a gay male who practices safer sex. I have only had anal sex once in my life, and it was for 5 minutes with a condom 3 years ago. For this entire past year, my sexual activity has been limited to deep kissing and mutual masterbation. I started dating a guy several weeks ago. We have kissed, had some anal fingering, mutual masterbation, and for about three minutes he performed oral sex on me with no ejaculation. I know that receiving oral sex bares some small risk. This was a one time event. About a week later, my lymph nodes swelled up in my armpits and groin. At first they were very tender and painful. I had no other real symptoms besides tiredness and loss of appetite. I don't believe I had a fever. When I told him about my concern, he insisted that he was recently tested and had no diseases of any kind; he wishes for us to keep seeing each other.
Now it is about a week and a half later and my glands are significantly better, although one on the left side of my neck has acted up. I know that I should get tested and I will but I am so nervous. My questions are: 1. Are swollen glands alone a strong sign of ARS? Are there many other causes for swollen glands? 2. Is it true that swollen glands associated with ARS are generally not painful but just enlarged? 3. Is it true that 96% of people displaying ARS symptoms have a fever? 4. Are all the sexual activities I listed having done besides receiving oral sex (fingering, kissing, masterbation) no risk activities?
Thank you so much!!!
gotherpeslifeisover,
Hey, how did your test come out? Does anyone know how gotherpeslifeisover text came out? Was it his anxiety?
Hey, how did your test come out? Does anyone know how gotherpeslifeisover text came out? Was it his anxiety?
I asked a question about Meningitis and it's relation to HIV a while back but people ignored it. Any of you who suspect you may have contacted HIV developed a case of meningitis? I did, and it's still hanging around. I see HIV listed as one of the causes, but it's also caused by other things such as UTI's and infections of the blood, so I'm trying to remain hopeful. Look into it y'all..it's worth reading up on at least.
Ryn21-
Personally do you think getting tested for insertive unprotected oral is not warranted?
Personally do you think getting tested for insertive unprotected oral is not warranted?
Thank you ryn21. My glands have been very sensitive to the touch but not very large at all.
Puccinitenor,
Sensitive glands are indeed a sign of some type of infection; infections that are more common and are more likely than HIV.
Strangeworld,
I am not a doctor, so I am in no position to tell you from any professional standpoint whether to get tested for that particular type of encounter. But from what the doctor has said time and time again, oral sex carries a near zero risk. Therefore, I probably wouldnt and wouldnt worry about it either. You could get tested if you cant take your mind off of it or if you cant take the anxiety over your situation any longer. But with that said, im certain that your test will bring you good news.
Sensitive glands are indeed a sign of some type of infection; infections that are more common and are more likely than HIV.
Strangeworld,
I am not a doctor, so I am in no position to tell you from any professional standpoint whether to get tested for that particular type of encounter. But from what the doctor has said time and time again, oral sex carries a near zero risk. Therefore, I probably wouldnt and wouldnt worry about it either. You could get tested if you cant take your mind off of it or if you cant take the anxiety over your situation any longer. But with that said, im certain that your test will bring you good news.
As the doctor will tell you, symptoms are not always a sign of HIV infection. I believe that swollen glands in relation to ARS are not painful, persist for longer than a week, and swell to a large size (the size of a walnut). Most people with symptoms do not have ARS or HIV. From your description, you seem to be a very cautious person, which you should be proud of. So with that I really doubt you have anything to worry about. But if in doubt you should get tested, and more than likely the news will be good.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your risk for HIV sounds low, and many other things cause lympadenopathy (the medical term for lymph node enlargement). You need to see a health care provider, first to determine whether your lymph nodes indeed are enlarged (persons' own perceptions of their lymph nodes often are wrong); and, if they are, to determine the cause. HIV is a far less likely cause than others. As I have said innumerable times on this forum, symptoms virtually never are reliable indicators for or against HIV infection; you need an HIV test to know. To answer your specific questions:
1) No; there are many other causes. 2) Yes. 3) Yes. 4) Yes, those are virtually zero-risk activities for HIV. However, kissing is a good way to transmit mononucleosis, a common cause of lymphadenopathy.
Bottom line: See a health care provider and take it from there.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
1) No; there are many other causes. 2) Yes. 3) Yes. 4) Yes, those are virtually zero-risk activities for HIV. However, kissing is a good way to transmit mononucleosis, a common cause of lymphadenopathy.
Bottom line: See a health care provider and take it from there.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
