Worried about enlarged lymph nodes

[Kara2005]

Hello, I am writing in concern of swollen lymph nodes in my throat. I am a heterosexual female and I was tested for HIV 5 months ago and it came back negative. During these past couple of months, I have had protected (with a condom) sex with two different men. During both sexual acts I performed oral sex on my partners (no fallacio) for probably only a couple of minutes or so. The past couple of weeks or so, my throat has been sore, it hurts when I swallow amd my lymph nodes are swollen. I went to see my doc and he tested for strep throat, which came back negative. He just told me it was probably a virus and didn't seem at all worried about it. I also have a lymph node in my groin area that has come and gone for years. It just gets swollen when irritated. So my questions are...

1) Should I be worried about this and get tested for HIV again?
2) Was I at high risk to contact HIV with what I did? I thought I was being careful.
3)If nothing serious is wrong, why are my lymph nodes swollen? and why do they hurt? It just doesn't seem normal.

[Kara2005]

Thanks you guys for your opinions and advice. I am obviously a hypochondriac and even though I do everything I can to protect myself, I still get worried. I'm making another appointment in a week if my throat does not feel better, but it is probably what's going around these days.

[glad2bamom]

I think that Dr. HHH would call your risk next to zero.  He's pretty specific about these things...check it out.
As far as the lymph nodes, there are 100's of reasons why lymph nodes would be swollen that have NOTHING to do with HIV.
Common colds, viruses, mononucleosis, etc...all cause lymph nodes swelling.  There are other conditions that do need to be checked by a doc, but I wouldn't jump to the HIV conclusion.
The fact that the one in your leg has been swollen on and off for years would tell you that it has nothing to do with HIV exposure, because you've been tested 5 months ago.  I have a node in my neck that swells and has done it since I can remember.  

Your lymph nodes are your body's first line of defense against anything, even a bugbite.  
Don't worry, just go to the doc, and have him check you over.  It's probably time for a checkup, anyway!

[sk2006a]

you should check out the HIV prevention forum here.  there is a wealth of information in previous postings.  lots re risk of transmission....sounds like yours was pretty much zero.  check it out.

[achyone]

Is this new and the first time? Swollen glands do not only mean HIV/AIDS. The lymph nodes are our filtering system and they help clean our blood from lots of diffent invaders in the body. It sounds as if you are getting the flu that is going around. However, if this has been going on for a long time or continues for a signigicant amount of time, follow up with your doctor.