Very worried about HiV

[Joe123]

About 1 month ago I had unprotected sex and there was ejaculation...about 3 days later I've had these red little bumps pop up around my waist , a few on the sides of my upper body and 2 on my ankle , they faded away but u can still faintly see them...about a week later I've gotten joint pain mainly knees elbows and now groin..It hurt a few times when i tried to take a **** (im a guy by the way) then i took Doxycycline a few times and that pain went away but the Joint/muscle pain is still there.... I dont have a fever ever...or sore throat but i know everyone symptoms are different...I've talked to the girl...she took a Gonohrea and chlymedia test and she tested negative...at times the pain isnt so bad if im with my friends i kinda forget about it...I dont know if its just me over worrying or what...any kind of help would be thankful...also at times my hands seem to go numb and it feels like my skin is more tender yet I dont black and Blue easily...thank you for ur time

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Cool it.  First, self-diagnosis of an enlarged lymph node often is wrong; if you think you feel a lump, you need to see a professional and not assume it is a lymph node.  Second, HIV does not cause a single enlarged lymph node; it causes multiple nodes to be enlarged all over the body.  Third, there are many causes of enlarged lymph nodes, and HIV is one of the least common of them.

I will not respond to any further comments/questions until you say have seen a health care provider and have been HIV tested.  Trying to learn a definitive cause of symptoms online is a fool's errand and I do not allow this forum to be used for that purpose.

HHH, MD

[Joe123]

I need some help please....Now I have a swollen lymph node under my arm pit...any reassurence would be great...if u have any ideas what else this could be...it would be greatly appreciated

[Joe123]

Thank you for ur help...do you have any idea what my symptoms sound like? It's just weird to have all these joint pains etc and those red bumps after sex pretty much...Its a big relief tho : )
thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Your symptoms do not suggest HIV or any other STD.  That your symptoms come and go and you sometimes"kinda forget about it" suggests an emotional rather than physical cause.  Also, any time someone suggests his or her own symptoms have an emotional cause (like "I dont know if its just me over worrying"), s/he is right most of the time.

If your symptoms persist, see a health care provider; and if you remain concerned about the possibility of HIV, get tested for it.

This question should have been in the HIV/safe sex forum, by the way.

Good luck--  HHH, MD