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Swollen Lymph Node In Groin and Collar bone Area

Hello

I received an unprotected oral sex from a CSW 26 days ago, i ejaculated but to a napkin. About 4 days ago (22 day mark), i developed two swollen lymph nodes; one on the left side of the groin, and the other one is on right above the collar bone on the left side. I went to a family doctor today, and i just showed him the swollen lymph node in my groin because i was not sure about the one that i had on the collar bone (I just checked with my hand now, and i believe it is swollen lymph node also, 4 days ago, that whole part was swollen but i was not feeling anything suspicious that's why i never brought it up at doctors today). He ordered Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, HIV1-2, Syphilis and Herpes tests, and got tested this morning. The thing that's bothering me is that i don't know any infection in my body, so these lymph nodes would swell and fight. Only thing i am thinking about is that i contracted some STD which may be HIV also.

1) You say no risk my doc says otherwise, i don't know what to believe in? You always mention 1 in 10,000 but there still is a risk?

2) Which ones of those tests i got done you think would be reliable at 26 days mark?

3) What are the early symptoms of HIV and how long it usually takes for them to occur? I just have swollen lymph nodes. No fever, no night sweats, no diarrhea, etc.

4) How would you rate my chances of contracting any STD / HIV from this event?

5) Do you think HIV 1-2 antibody test results would be reliable at 26 days mark? You usually mention 6-8 weeks is conclusive? How long it usually takes people to develop antibodies? and if the result is negative should i retested a month from today due to the fact that i have swollen lymph nodes?

6) These lymph nodes are killing me, and my doctor said they are usually swollen due to an infection. So, am i really in a high risk zone for STD's and HIV or they may be swollen because of something else is going on in my body and i have no clue about?

Thanks.
9 Responses
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
"That's all for this thread.  Try to move on with no worries about this sexual exposure."

No more testing is necessary.
Helpful - 1
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I meant that you do not need any more STD testing.  The chance were infected was too low; any more testing would be a waste of money.

Search the forum for p24 and HIV DNA testing; they are different.  Use the search link at the top of the page, right side.  You should definitely NOT have a DNA test in this circumstance.  But I believe LabCorp does offer the combo test; or it may be called a Duo test.
Helpful - 1
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.  I have an intermittent and very slow internet connection, so I can't review your 25 other recent posts -- but I gather they concern the same low risk encounter described here.  In the US, it is the rare CSW who has HIV -- under 1% chance -- and even with HIV infected partners, oral sex is considered safe sex.  The risks are higher for some other STDs (gonorrhea, herpes due to HSV-1, syphilis), but still low, zero for others (e.g. chlamydia).

1) The actual figure, per a published study from CDC, is 1 chance in 20,000 for oral to penile HIV transmission, if the oral partner is infected.  That's equivalent to receiving BJs by infected partners once daily for 55 years before transmission might be likely.  Some experts believe such transmission never occurs.  As for a difference of opinion with your doctor, I won't get into a "he said/she said" debate, except to suggest you compare your doctor's HIV/STD expertise to mine.

2) The gonorrhea and chlamydia tests are 100% reliable.  It was a bit early for all the others.  However, in this situation, I would recommend against any further testing for HSV-1 or syphilis; the risks are too low.  And HSV-2, like chlamydia, is zero risk from an oral to genital exposure.

3) ARS symptoms always start within 2 weeks, usually around 10-14 days.  The most common symptoms are high fever (101+), sore throat, and skin rash; 70% of persons have all three of these.  A few isolated inflamed lymph nodes, without other symptoms, almost never is due to HIV.

4) Zero for HIV, chlamydia, and HSV-2; nearly zero for most of the others; a little higher for gonorrhea, but you can also expect that test result to be negative.

5) Your negative HIV antibody test (and yes, I'm sure it will be negative) at 26 days will be 90-95% reliable.  In 2 more days, you could have a combo test for both HIV antibody and p24 antigen, which is 100% reliable at 4 weeks.  6-8 weeks is conclusive for the stand-alone antibody tests.

6) No, you are at very low risk for all STDs, based on the sexual exposure described above.  I cannot comment on other aspects of your sexual lifestyle that might suggest somewhat higher risk.  However, it is rare that enlarged lymph nodes, without other symptoms, are due to HIV or any other STD.  This problem almost certainly has nothing to do with the oral sex expsoure you are worried about.  If it continues or you remain concerned, continue to work with your doctor to find the cause.  But in the meantime, try to stop worrying about HIV and STDs.

Regards--  HHH, MD
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
At 26 days mark, HIV and All the other STD tests i took turned out to be negative. Do you think i should get tested for HIV at 6-8 weeks window period for a peace of mind (But it cost money), or 26 days mark negative would be ok? Thanks.
Helpful - 0
239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You are confused about terminology.  HSV-1 and HSV-2 are the names of two different viruses.  Either one can infect either the mouth or genital area.  In other words, HSV-1 does not equate to oral herpes, and HSV-2 does not mean genital.

Oral infection with HSV-2 is very rare, and oral to genital HSV-2 transmission almost never occurs.  If she had HSV-1 orally, you could have caught that virus.  But as I said, this is very unlikely for the reasons discussed above.

That's all for this thread.  Try to move on with no worries about this sexual exposure.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
how come HSV2 is a risk zero in this incident? what if she had HSV1?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks Dr. Handsfield. I really appreciate your help. I should get my results sometime next week, even though you are %100 sure it will be negative, i will let you know the outcome. Have a good weekend.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Forgot to mention. All my other posts are exactly about this issue. Unprotected orals ex with a sex worker, and being worried for STD's and HIV. Thanks.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks Doctor.

My family doctor has no idea about STD or HIV. When i asked him about if Syphilis would give reliable results at 26 day mark, he said "Good question, and went somewhere (probably ask another doctor in the office) to find out.

In question number 2, you said "I would recommend against any further testing for HSV-1 or syphilis; the risks are too low". i did not understand, i am sorry i am a foreigner. Did you mean, get tested again, or dont get tested again?

What is p24 antigen test? Is that the HIV DNA test? If so, i dont know if Labcorp has that test.

Thank You.
Helpful - 0

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