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HIV Prevention Community
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Swollen glands
by Concernedpartner145, May 11, 2008 03:05AM
Any hiv +ve people out there, or anyone have any advice on the following symptom:
- Swollen armpit glands (not individual nodes, but a general swollen feeling) for 4 weeks, starting 23 days post exposure. Is this the normal timeline for acture HIV symptoms, and is this a common one?
- Could this be related to another STD anyones aware of?
- Does the Oraquick (gum swab) test provide the 80-85% accuracy at 4 weeks some people seem to be claiming, or does this figure only apply to blood tests?
- Swollen armpit glands (not individual nodes, but a general swollen feeling) for 4 weeks, starting 23 days post exposure. Is this the normal timeline for acture HIV symptoms, and is this a common one?
- Could this be related to another STD anyones aware of?
- Does the Oraquick (gum swab) test provide the 80-85% accuracy at 4 weeks some people seem to be claiming, or does this figure only apply to blood tests?
23 days would be the correct timeframe.
There are really not enough studies of ARS or seroconversion time to give accurate reliability figures for tests at specific points in time, only estimates.
In the USA a non-blood antibody test (saliva/urine/plasma) is considered conclusive for somehere in the region of 97% of people in 3 months. In the UK non-blood tests are considered reliable at 16 weeks (per BASHH).
I understand the oraquick test relies on more than saliva and actually scrapes the epithelium / skin there, though I can't remember the source of that. Only whole blood tests are used in the UK routinely so I've no reason to look it up.
Look through the archives here, the experts forum and other HIV forums and you'll find a load of threads from people with 'all the symptoms' who turn out HIV negative.
Your healthcare provide can advise.
Any advice from anyone?
RS
Is it worth a test anyway? Any other ideas what could be wrong?
Still underarm pain, 5 weeks since it started. Would HIV related gland swelling be more generalised? Ie wouldn't it be likely to have swollen glands in his neck and groin as well as arms?
Are lymph nodes usually detectable by touch? Sight? We cannot feel any individual 'nodes' just a general noticable swelling and pain beneath the arms.
There have been no other symptoms that we can think of. Are swollen glands/nodes also associated with other std's?
I think you may have just made my day - in fact I'm sure you have. A 3 month test will no doubt make my whole life!
Teak I am sure you are told this often, but you are a God send to the people that need your fast advice on this forum. Have you ever considered how many people you may have actually saved from self harm, stopped them damaging their relationships by going crazy, and actually getting them away form the screen?
I can't do much but send you good karma, I appreciate your efforts.