Swollen Lymph Node (Armpit)

I had unprotected sex around 10 weeks ago and since then have had a couple of symptoms including nausea on the morning for a week and also slight chest pain, but for me the most worrying is the Swollen Lymph Node in the Armpit.

I have had this for around 9 weeks and that seems a long time to me. Could you please tell me a little about this and what other things can bring this on?.

Am I right in assuming because I have had a Swollen Lymph Node in the Armpit for this amount of time, there is a 90% chance I am HIV+?

Finally off topic,  could you tell me chances of passing the disease on (assuming I have it) by using the same cutlery (e.g. fork

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

A single swelling the the armpit is almost certainly NOT due to HIV or any other STD.  But no telling what's going on; any number of conditions, most of them not at all serious, could cause a swollen lymph node, nausea, and chest pain.

Of course, the risk you have HIV or not depends on things you don't say, such as whether you are a gay man or an injection drug user.  If you do happen to be infected, no, you cannot pass it to anyone by sharing eating utensils.  The ONLY ways HIV is transmitted are through sex; injection into the blood streat, as when sharing non-sterile injection equipment; and transmission from mother to baby in the uterus, during delivery, or through breast milk.

Bottom line:  see a health care provider.  Even though the risk of HIV probably is low, you should have a test, because you clearly will be relieved of much anxiety when the result returns negative.

Good luck--   HHH, MD

[sol106]

did u take hiv test yet?

[jimfoxley]

Thanks for your feedback.

I have not been for the test yet, but have arragned one at the local doctors in two weeks time and as it will be 12 weeks then since possible infection.

cheers

[mussy09]

A related discussion, can someone asnwer this for was started.