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Avatar universal

18 weeks test and swollen lymph nodes

Hi Doc,

I had protected sex with a commercial sex worker last February. I dont know why but it bothered me after a week and kept thinking that I got HIV. I was very anxious that I kept checking myself for lymph nodes from time to time. Ive had these two lumps (because I wasnt sure if it was lymph nodes or something else) on both sides of my adam's apple for about a month then. I kept obsessing on what it was and at the back of my mind I kept thinking That it was connected with HIV. Around the 18-week mark I grew very anxious and decided to get tested. The hospital used an Abott Architect Ag/Ab Combo and I tested nonreactive. Around the 20th week however I got nasal congestion and post nasal drip for about 2 weeks. 2 new lymph nodes were also swollen due to that but of smaller size than the other two. The doctor said it was nothing and that the HIV test was conclusive and that I dont have it. Around the 23rd week however after I jogged I noticed a swollen and tender lymph node at the left side of my groin. Now its making me anxious and im thinking of having myself tested again.

Here are my questions:

1)Is my test conclusive?
2)how long before anti-bodies are produced after you see swollen lypmh nodes? Is there a connection?
3)does anxiety and being a smoker have any effect on the ability to produce antibodies or the window period?
4)even though protected I had a small wound on my butt, what are the chances that i got HIV from that?
5)is nasal congestion and on and off cough for around 2-3 weeks signs of HIV infection?

Thank you.
4 Responses
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1024580 tn?1331574121
Hello,
Thank you for your post.  Here are your answers as follows:

1)Is my test conclusive? YES, IT IS.  TOTALLY CONCLUSIVE AFTER 4 WEEKS AS IT WAS A FOURTH GENERATION TEST.
2)how long before anti-bodies are produced after you see swollen lypmh nodes? Is there a connection? NO, THERE IS NO CONNECTION WITH HIV AS YOUR TEST WAS NEGATIVE.  SWOLLEN LYMPH NODES USUALLY APPEAR DURING SERO-CONVERSION AT SOME STAGE BETWEEN 2 AND 6 WEEKS FOLLOWING INFECTION, AND THEN AT ANY STAGE THEREAFTER, BUT YOU WOULD NEED TO ALWAYS HAVE A POSITIVE RESULT IF THEY WERE REALTED TO HIV, WHICH IS NOT THE CASE HERE.
3)does anxiety and being a smoker have any effect on the ability to produce antibodies or the window period? NO, NOT AT ALL.
4)even though protected I had a small wound on my butt, what are the chances that i got HIV from that? VERY LITTLE. ANYHOW THIS IS IRRELEVANT AS YOUR TEST WAS NEGATIVE.
5)is nasal congestion and on and off cough for around 2-3 weeks signs of HIV infection? NO, IT IS NOT.
Best wishes,
Dr José
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Iam a nurse,working in Hiv clinic in africa,Hiv postive patients blood splash in my eyes,after some time i felt enlarged lymph node,I tested for Elisa at 50 days it was non reactional ,i tested at 90 days by two rapid antibodies test it was ngeative only control line appear ,but iam still worrying ,what should i do /should i go for 6 months test
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks Dr. Garcia! Ive been really anxious about this and havr been second guessing the timing of the test. I keep thinking that after trsting thats the time I sero converted. Anyway, am I totally HIV free?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks Doc! So I am totally HIV free?
Helpful - 0

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