unprotected oral & sore groin glandnodes

[jackiedude101]

I'm usually an extremely safe person. I had a male on male encounter that unprotected oral (both ways) and also some frontage. We discussed out test histories before and he said he was tested earlier in the year (negative). He doesnt do the guy thing a lot, but has in the past but before his last test so he said. I think I can trust him as this isnt a stranger or anything like that.

I plague myself over scenarios that may or may not have happened during our encounter. I know I never allowed him to enter me, but there was a few minutes there that he pressed his penis up against my anus. I keep replaying it in my mind, thinking there was no way he went in, but then what if half the head went in? I get scared that he even wanted to try to enter me w/out a rubber. But he was totally hands off the next night (like he regretted it). Maybe too many cocktails/ lust the night before?

Fast forward a few weeks. For the past 5 days I've had a sore area around my groin. I've been googling this and found it to be the inguinal area. But only one side is tender, w/ a dull ache most of the day.  The two sides feel about the same in size but only one side hurts a little bit and/ or is swollen.  That got me freaked out! As I've also read that lympnode areas can swell up on HIV infection. I found one website (iVillage) where the Doc said that 2 or more nodes would swell and not to be concerned about the inguinal glands as they are commonly enlarged. Can you comment on this in relation to HIV infection? I've had no other signs but two nights of sweating but I think I just got to hot, no fevers or anything like that.

I'm not due for my annual testing for another few months but the anxiety is killing me. I know oral doesn't really carry a risk, but I worry that part of his head got about a 1/2 of the way in, that and the one side of my groin nodes swelling/ hurting. My left testicle hurts to. What do you think about my next test being negative?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

thaks for the follow-up. This update still does not raise concersn or change my opinion about your virtually non-existant) risk for HIV.  As i said earlier, if these persisting symptoms concern you, other than your concerns about HIV, then, as I said before "the proper place to get evaluated is with a good internal medicine physician."
I am confident your repeat HIV test related to the exposure you srote about will be negative.  EWH

[jackiedude101]

Dr. Hook,
I wanted to give an update on symptoms I have been experiencing.  My groin area discomfort has somewhat subsided but last Sat my underarms started to ache and are sore.  I cannot feel any lumps and trust me, I've been checking them several dozen times a day (or maybe that is making them hurt?).  

Also, for the past couple of days I have felt feverish and achy at times, but when I check my temp it appears to be normal (never above 98.6 with one of those CVS thermometers).  Last night I had a pretty bad case of night sweats, but immediately checked my temp and it was normal.  (that is what triggered me to write all of this)

My right knee is also swollen a little bit an tight to bend.  This Sunday will mark the 4th week post my exposure but wanted to see if anything I stated above would make you think, "well, since you are experiencing these things too let me reconsider what I initially said".

I've read a lot on this forum over the past week and there was one thread about someone who (gay I assume) found that his partner lied about his status.  That made me think about this guy I was with for the oral sex (both ways unprotected) and frontage.

I will take my test earlier this time, but won't be able to due to travel for at least another three weeks so I just wanted your opinion on if I should still expect a neg test considering the new symptoms.  Thank you again.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad to help. EWH

[jackiedude101]

Thanks doctor for the extra feedback and reassurance.  It actually helps me feel better and I am sure others as well.  We are very fortunate to have doctors like you and Dr. HHH answer our questions.  Your feedback as medical experts means a lot! Have a great day :)

[Edward W Hook, MD]

When persons acquire HIV if they develop glymph gland swelling it is diffuse, involving nodes over the entire body, not just in the groin, under the armpits or in the neck.  I repeat, this is not at all likely to be HIV.  At two weeks about half of persons with HIV will have positve tests.   EWH

[jackiedude101]

Thanks for the feedback. This encounter happened roughly 3 weeks ago. The groin problem started right at 2 weeks after exposure (doing the math, thats what had me concerned).  

I got all that you are saying, but can you provide a brief comment on when someone catches hiv if that it would be more than the groin glands swelling up (like armpits and neck and whatever else)?

Does my timeframe above change your opinion at all on testing negative? I didn't know that someone could test positive after only 2 weeks. I thought it had to be like a couple of months.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  I'll try to help.  I suspect you are putting unrelated events together to worry yourself needlessly.  Your partner is, by your own assessment low risk and if he had entered you with his penis, you would have known it (I agree with your assessment of the lack of risk associated with oral sex as well).  

Further, as you have already learned, if the groin discomfort you have noticed does represent lymph node swelling, this is a non-specific finding which does not  necessarily suggest HIV infection.  There are many other illnesses which can cause lymph node swelling.  Swollen lymph nodes are a non-specific response to any number of stimuli including infections due to bacteria and viruses, allergic reactions and autoimmune disease.  Of all persons with swollen lymph nodes only a tiny proportion of them have HIV.  If you are concerned about swollen lymph nodes, the proper place to get evaluated is with a good internal medicine physician.

You do not mention when your encounter of concern occurred but I can tell you that if your possible lymph nodes swelling was due to HIV, your HIV blood test would be positve at this time.  I am confident that this is not the case however.  EWH