Aa
Very Worried
Dr. HHH and Hook,
Thanks for your help on this site. Here is my dilemma. I am a married man that has experimented a little lately much to my regret. In May 2008 I had unprotected vaginal sex with a promiscuous woman. About three weeks later I had discharge from my penis. I took Omicef for a respiratory issue during this time as well as a Zpac and the discharge did not stop until several weeks after the medication. About 4 months later my glands in my groin, neck and armpits enlarged but did not hurt. This lasted until December of 08. On June 17th 2009 I received oral sex from a man. I asked his status prior to it and he said he was negative. I emailed him again yesterday and he still claims that he is negative. About 5 days after, I had a strange bumpy film under my tongue. It went away after three days of listerine. The film was not on the tongue but under. About 4 weeks after the event my glands enlarged again but this time on my stomach as well and they all ache. I have no other symptoms except the occasional night sweat and the swollen glands. Here are my questions.
1. Does this seem consistent with HIV?
2. I realize insertive oral is very low risk but the timing has me scared. Have you ever seen HIV infection in your practice from insertive oral?
3. If I caught HIV from the event with the female in 2008 would it be common to have swollen painful glands more than a year later?
4. Are there any non-lethal reasons for a systemic gland issue like this?
5. What can be done to address swollen glands.
6. I have had an ear infection during the past week or so. Is it possible for an ear infection to be the cause of the swollen glands?
7. Can constant checking of the glands make them all swollen?
8. Any guesses on the film under my tongue?
Sorry for the small novel. I am afraid of hurting my wife ... she has had no symptoms. Your help is most appreciated.
Thanks for your help on this site. Here is my dilemma. I am a married man that has experimented a little lately much to my regret. In May 2008 I had unprotected vaginal sex with a promiscuous woman. About three weeks later I had discharge from my penis. I took Omicef for a respiratory issue during this time as well as a Zpac and the discharge did not stop until several weeks after the medication. About 4 months later my glands in my groin, neck and armpits enlarged but did not hurt. This lasted until December of 08. On June 17th 2009 I received oral sex from a man. I asked his status prior to it and he said he was negative. I emailed him again yesterday and he still claims that he is negative. About 5 days after, I had a strange bumpy film under my tongue. It went away after three days of listerine. The film was not on the tongue but under. About 4 weeks after the event my glands enlarged again but this time on my stomach as well and they all ache. I have no other symptoms except the occasional night sweat and the swollen glands. Here are my questions.
1. Does this seem consistent with HIV?
2. I realize insertive oral is very low risk but the timing has me scared. Have you ever seen HIV infection in your practice from insertive oral?
3. If I caught HIV from the event with the female in 2008 would it be common to have swollen painful glands more than a year later?
4. Are there any non-lethal reasons for a systemic gland issue like this?
5. What can be done to address swollen glands.
6. I have had an ear infection during the past week or so. Is it possible for an ear infection to be the cause of the swollen glands?
7. Can constant checking of the glands make them all swollen?
8. Any guesses on the film under my tongue?
Sorry for the small novel. I am afraid of hurting my wife ... she has had no symptoms. Your help is most appreciated.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I continue to doubt HIV. If that is the explanation, you caught it sometime other than the oral sex event. But the question is why you are trying for an online explanation. You need to see a health care provider about your symptoms. See my "bottom line" message above. (If health care insurance is an issue, at least you can visit a community clinic or your local health department for low cost or cost-free examination and HIV test.)
I'll be happy to comment further if and when you report the result of a professional assessment and/or HIV test -- but until then will delete any other comments.
I'll be happy to comment further if and when you report the result of a professional assessment and/or HIV test -- but until then will delete any other comments.
Did you see my response? My wife is now experiencing sore throat and swollen glands. IM devastated.
I am waiting for my new job to start for HC coverage
I am waiting for my new job to start for HC coverage
Thanks Dr. HHH,
As per question 3. I may not have stated clearly. My glands are all swollen, groin, neck armpits stomach etc. The neck and stomach are the most painful. Does this info change your opinion?
As per question 3. I may not have stated clearly. My glands are all swollen, groin, neck armpits stomach etc. The neck and stomach are the most painful. Does this info change your opinion?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the HIV forum. Your username says a lot: although the specific questions indicate you are trying to think objectively, "Itsgottabe" implies you have decided you have HIV. But you can stop worrying. There is no reason to suspect you have HIV. To the specific questions:
1,2) No, your symptoms do not suggest HIV, either a new infection or a longstanding one. Timing of exposure and symptoms usually doesn't mean much. Your oral symptoms are quite nonspecific, i.e. the sort of thing that anyone may notice from time to time and not indicative of any particular illness. Your genital symptoms suggest you might have had nongonoccocal urethritis (NGU), but none of them suggest HIV and the oral symptoms don't suggest either HIV or STD.
3) No, HIV/AIDS would not cause such symptoms a year later. And when HIV causes lymph node inflammation, it is generally body-wide -- i.e. not only in the groin but also in places like the neck, armpits, etc.
4,5) Almost all causes of such symptoms are non-lethal. HIV, lymphatic or other cancer, or other serious infections are rare causes. Maybe nothing abnormal at all; mild lymph node enlargement in the groin is extremely common, and can be felt in up to half of all healthy people. What is to be done about them? Isn't it obvious? See a health care provider to determine whether there is anything abnormal at all; and if so, follow his or her advice about likely causes, diagnostic tests, etc.
6) Any infection that would cause only the groin glands to swell would have to be located near that area, usually on the legs or feet. Your ear infection is unrelated to all this.
7) Constant checking might make glands seem more prominent and perhaps tender. Keep your hands off.
8) Nothing bad, certainly not HIV or any STD.
Bottom line: See a health care provider and follow his or her advice. Make sure an HIV test is included -- not because I suspect you really have HIV, but simply for reassurance; clearly you need to have a negative test to convince yourself you don't have it.
Please report back with the outcome of your professional evaluation and your HIV test result. In the meantime, you can be highly confident you don't have HIV or any STD, and nothing that can harm your wife and probably nothing serious for your own health.
Regards-- HHH, MD
1,2) No, your symptoms do not suggest HIV, either a new infection or a longstanding one. Timing of exposure and symptoms usually doesn't mean much. Your oral symptoms are quite nonspecific, i.e. the sort of thing that anyone may notice from time to time and not indicative of any particular illness. Your genital symptoms suggest you might have had nongonoccocal urethritis (NGU), but none of them suggest HIV and the oral symptoms don't suggest either HIV or STD.
3) No, HIV/AIDS would not cause such symptoms a year later. And when HIV causes lymph node inflammation, it is generally body-wide -- i.e. not only in the groin but also in places like the neck, armpits, etc.
4,5) Almost all causes of such symptoms are non-lethal. HIV, lymphatic or other cancer, or other serious infections are rare causes. Maybe nothing abnormal at all; mild lymph node enlargement in the groin is extremely common, and can be felt in up to half of all healthy people. What is to be done about them? Isn't it obvious? See a health care provider to determine whether there is anything abnormal at all; and if so, follow his or her advice about likely causes, diagnostic tests, etc.
6) Any infection that would cause only the groin glands to swell would have to be located near that area, usually on the legs or feet. Your ear infection is unrelated to all this.
7) Constant checking might make glands seem more prominent and perhaps tender. Keep your hands off.
8) Nothing bad, certainly not HIV or any STD.
Bottom line: See a health care provider and follow his or her advice. Make sure an HIV test is included -- not because I suspect you really have HIV, but simply for reassurance; clearly you need to have a negative test to convince yourself you don't have it.
Please report back with the outcome of your professional evaluation and your HIV test result. In the meantime, you can be highly confident you don't have HIV or any STD, and nothing that can harm your wife and probably nothing serious for your own health.
Regards-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the HIV - Prevention Forum
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
