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.