Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Is this a gland or acne?

Hi Doctor.  You replied to me over a week ago in my previous posting "Had protected sex, and in need of some peace of mind." (http://www.medhelp.org/perl6/STD/messages/2346.html).  Quick recap -- I had protected sex with a sex worker, and had concerns. I have some follow up questions for you.

1.  I notice on the back of my arm, near the armit there is a bump.  I am not sure if it's acne or a swollen lymph node.  It feels skin deep, or i think?  it feels irritated if i touch it.   Anyway, if you were to run your fingers up in a straight line from my left elbow upward, you'd run across it.   You can see the bump, but it seems about maybe 1 cm in diameter.  I know you have said swollen lymph nodes due to an infection feel non-tender.  I have seen in a past post, you had described swollen lymph nodes in the groin area can be noticed by running your fingers along the fold between the groin and the legs.  If i close my armpit (putting my arm just along side me), it's exposed, so i guess that's the back of my arm and not my underarm.  Can you please explain how a swollen lymph node in that region or the underarm would feel due to an infection?

2.  I went to a GP/IM, and he checked my underarms as well as my groin to feel for any swollen lymph nodes.  If he overlooked this bump, would it be because this bump of mine is not in the usual area?  

3.  Should I be concerned about this bump?

4.  I know you have pointed out repeatedly that a 6 week window is highly reliable for testing HIV.  I am thinking about taking a test at the 3 week mark as well as the 6 week.  I plan to do both.  How reliable is a test at 3 weeks?  Again, I stress I plan to do both.

Thanks doctor.
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Sorry for the double post, but please reply to this one.   Thank you.

One thing I forgot to mention is that I've had some muscle aches on mostly my right leg and upper left and upper right arms.. Inner thigh, calf, and top of upper leg. However, it does come and go with intensity. I have applied rubbing alcohol, and that seems to have reduced the soreness greatly. So if the cause of the sore muscles were viral, would the alcohol been able to work? Stress? Any thoughts would help.

Thank you
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
One thing I forgot to mention is that I've had some muscle aches on mostly my right leg and upper left and upper right arms..  Inner thigh, calf, and top of upper leg.  However, it does come and go with intensity.  I have applied rubbing alcohol, and that seems to have reduced the soreness greatly.  So if the cause of the sore muscles were viral, would the alcohol been able to work?  Stress?  Any thoughts would help.

Thank you
Helpful - 0
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your description makes it sound more like a skin lesion, not a lymph node.  But of course I cannot be at all certain; you'll need to show it to your doctor if it persists.  But definitely don't worry about HIV.  When primary HIV infection causes lymph gland enlargement, it always involves many nodes all over the body--never a single bump.  Since your doctor didn't find lymph node enlargement elsewhere, it's not an issue.

I'm not going to repeat all that has been said about reliability of HIV tests at various intervals.  Search the threads for "time to positive HIV test".

Best wishes--  HHH, MD
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum

Popular Resources
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.