Aa
HIV Acute Retroviral Syndrome (ARS)
Dear Doctor Handsfield:
As someone who has had a high-risk exposure similar to many of the people who have written (i.e., sex with a prostitute with a latex condom), I have become more aware of my body and the potential of ARS. I noticed that many of the questions surrounding ARS have to do with swollen lymph glands (or are they called nodes?) I'm wondering if you could briefly address a few questions regarding ARS and swollen glands.
#1--I keep reading that one single swollen lymph node is not suggestive of ARS in any way shape or form. How can we be so sure about that?
#2 What about cases of two swollen lymph nodes? For example, I can feel ONE swollen node in my axilla, and ONE swollen node below my left ear. The swollen node below the ear was swollen for almost a week before the one in the axilla came along. No other nodes are swollen. Is this typical of ARS for lymph nodes to swell in waves (i.e., one swells this week, then another one next week, etc)?
#3--Is it true that ARS is a constellation of symptoms with fever, swollen lymph glands (i.e., flu-like symptoms)? Or can ARS present itself with one symptom, such as ONLY fever, or ONLY swollen lymph nodes.
#4--I have also read that swollen lymph gland as a result of ARS are not painful. How can this be so? I thought that if lymph nodes swell due to "infection," then such swollen nodes are almost always painful (at least for a few days). Or do you answer questions regarding "painful node" and ARS solely based on your experience with your patient (in other words, there is a possibility that other doctors have experienced patients with painful nodes during ARS.
As you can see from my line of questioning, I'm a little anxious.
Thanks,
WadeM.
As someone who has had a high-risk exposure similar to many of the people who have written (i.e., sex with a prostitute with a latex condom), I have become more aware of my body and the potential of ARS. I noticed that many of the questions surrounding ARS have to do with swollen lymph glands (or are they called nodes?) I'm wondering if you could briefly address a few questions regarding ARS and swollen glands.
#1--I keep reading that one single swollen lymph node is not suggestive of ARS in any way shape or form. How can we be so sure about that?
#2 What about cases of two swollen lymph nodes? For example, I can feel ONE swollen node in my axilla, and ONE swollen node below my left ear. The swollen node below the ear was swollen for almost a week before the one in the axilla came along. No other nodes are swollen. Is this typical of ARS for lymph nodes to swell in waves (i.e., one swells this week, then another one next week, etc)?
#3--Is it true that ARS is a constellation of symptoms with fever, swollen lymph glands (i.e., flu-like symptoms)? Or can ARS present itself with one symptom, such as ONLY fever, or ONLY swollen lymph nodes.
#4--I have also read that swollen lymph gland as a result of ARS are not painful. How can this be so? I thought that if lymph nodes swell due to "infection," then such swollen nodes are almost always painful (at least for a few days). Or do you answer questions regarding "painful node" and ARS solely based on your experience with your patient (in other words, there is a possibility that other doctors have experienced patients with painful nodes during ARS.
As you can see from my line of questioning, I'm a little anxious.
Thanks,
WadeM.
How long ago was the lubiderm incident? When can you get tested? That is the only way to ease your mind.
And on the "asian massage prostitute", I do not agree they are more likely to have HIV. I have been to them and they are very conscience of safe sex. Have you ever heard any where "massage parlor found to be link to HIV in the city" news stories? Forget law enforcement, the health department work shut them down in no time flat. Much like the bath houses in San Fran 25 years ago. I have never had massage parlor girl not insist to use a condom. This was 5 years ago, I have since managed to stay away from them. The reason I have been on here is I "relapesed" in May and almost killed myself with guilt. I had every smptom of every std...I tested negative for all of them and now I am back on track and taking even more measures to stay "clean".
I hope you can relax a bit. But if you are like me, only a negative test will clear your head.
And on the "asian massage prostitute", I do not agree they are more likely to have HIV. I have been to them and they are very conscience of safe sex. Have you ever heard any where "massage parlor found to be link to HIV in the city" news stories? Forget law enforcement, the health department work shut them down in no time flat. Much like the bath houses in San Fran 25 years ago. I have never had massage parlor girl not insist to use a condom. This was 5 years ago, I have since managed to stay away from them. The reason I have been on here is I "relapesed" in May and almost killed myself with guilt. I had every smptom of every std...I tested negative for all of them and now I am back on track and taking even more measures to stay "clean".
I hope you can relax a bit. But if you are like me, only a negative test will clear your head.
Do you have your original thread handy. I would be interested in hearing about the event and subsequent anxiety and symptoms. You can just tell me how to find it. I think this thread will probably be closed down at the end of the day for getting too long.
Let's just say that I keep praying that the masseuse actually had KY or Astroglid in a bottle of Lubriderm so as to incriminating evidence in the event that they get busted. I would be amazed if they actually used lotion as a lubricant, especially since lotion is not good for a woman (for hygenic reasons).
I'm at the end of Week #4. I'm thinking about going in for a PCR tomorrow ($399--ouch).
I'm at the end of Week #4. I'm thinking about going in for a PCR tomorrow ($399--ouch).
Sorry - I don't have it. But like the Dr. often points out, sear for "HIV Anxeity" in the forum.
I really am try to help you, but I gurantee no matter what you read and no matter how many people tell you you have no chnace of HIV, only a negative test will help. I just hope you aren't one of those that needs 10 tests out to 18 months and still thinks they have HIV.
You do not have HIV, get a test to ease your mind and move on. That is the only way for you to get past this.
I really am try to help you, but I gurantee no matter what you read and no matter how many people tell you you have no chnace of HIV, only a negative test will help. I just hope you aren't one of those that needs 10 tests out to 18 months and still thinks they have HIV.
You do not have HIV, get a test to ease your mind and move on. That is the only way for you to get past this.
Dear Doctor:
My thread had become uncontrollable (maybe you can lock it). But I was hoping (if you had time) an answer to this (which I wrote) but got lost in the shuffle:
Dear Dr:
I just wanted to clarify that one reason that I thought that lymph node swelling due to HIV ARS WAS PAINFUL was that in this Forum, on 07/07/2005, you responded to a similar question as follows, stating that the "nodes may be painful or not."
"The medical term is lymphadenopathy. If lymph nodes aren't swollen enough for you to notice without looking, they almost certainly aren't enlarged. When people get lymphadenopathy, the swelling goes on for weeks or months, it doesn't come and go; the nodes may be painful or not."
Respectfully,
WadeM
PS, I will just get my test. Only solution. But if I misread you, please let me know.
My thread had become uncontrollable (maybe you can lock it). But I was hoping (if you had time) an answer to this (which I wrote) but got lost in the shuffle:
Dear Dr:
I just wanted to clarify that one reason that I thought that lymph node swelling due to HIV ARS WAS PAINFUL was that in this Forum, on 07/07/2005, you responded to a similar question as follows, stating that the "nodes may be painful or not."
"The medical term is lymphadenopathy. If lymph nodes aren't swollen enough for you to notice without looking, they almost certainly aren't enlarged. When people get lymphadenopathy, the swelling goes on for weeks or months, it doesn't come and go; the nodes may be painful or not."
Respectfully,
WadeM
PS, I will just get my test. Only solution. But if I misread you, please let me know.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for pointing out the discrpancy; in that earlier reply I should have said "the nodes generally are not tender or painful, although mild tenderness may sometimes occur if the nodes swell up pretty quickly." A lymph node that enlarges quickly may be somewhat tender. But it rarely would be particularly sore to the touch.
As per my original response, when the chance of HIV is just about zero based on sexual lifestyle and exposure, then whatever happens afterward almost always is due to something other than HIV.
But you're on the right track: get tested. All this guesswork is only going to heighten your anxiety until you get your negative test result.
HHH, MD
As per my original response, when the chance of HIV is just about zero based on sexual lifestyle and exposure, then whatever happens afterward almost always is due to something other than HIV.
But you're on the right track: get tested. All this guesswork is only going to heighten your anxiety until you get your negative test result.
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.
