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Pain in Lymphnodes
I am a 42 year old male and had unprotected sex with a married female (I am hetero, the woman was caucasian and encounter was local, Toronto, Canada. Her history, according to her, was that she had protected sex outside her marriage once before me. After our encounter she went to get tested for STI's as well as HIV and the results were, according to her, all negative). It is to be noted that while I have no reason not to believe her I cannot verify any of it either.
A few days after unprotected sex I noticed my glands in my groin were acting up and then later, my glands in my armpits. The panic set in instantly. I had no fever and no other symptoms other than in the past 51 days maybe 4-5 times a bit of night sweat around my neck (Random nights, not consecutive and I even checked my temperature right after - again no fever or elevated temperature), just my lymph-nodes being painful. I did have dry eyes for a day or two and experienced a general lack of energy (not a severe fatigue) but I think it was because I was severely stressed out about the whole thing.
About 9 days later I went to an anonymous clinic and had a HIV1/2 Rapid test performed, which was negative. My glands, although irritated, were not swollen (the doctor there checked it). Further testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, etc. turned out negative. However, I was advised by the councilor that I need to retest after 12 weeks as I was within the 'window period' of HIV.
After 32 days I tested negative for HIV1 RNA-PCR and HIV1 Elisa. After 35 days (this was pre-arranged) I tested negative for HIV1/2 Rapid test. After about 40 days, I went to my doctor, confessed to what happened and he performed a blood test (immunology) and a urine test for a variety of STI's as well as Hep C. and Mono. Further, the blood was tested for any abnormalities of the immune system. He thought a couple of my glands (one groin, one above my collar bone appeared to be swollen). The good news was that everything appeared to be completely normal, with no sign of any irregularities in blood or urine.
The bad news is that my lymph-nodes under my arms and in my groin are still bugging me (painful, sometimes stinging or burning sensation). Sometimes the whole day, sometimes just a stinging sensation here and there. I told the doctor about it and he said normally a pain in the glands indicates an infection being fought off. However, he said it contradicted itself with the fact that my test results (blood) were not indicating anything. So he said to just come back in a month to run another set of tests.
I know my exposure to HIV is generally considered lower risk as it was hetero and vaginal only. However, I have a very sensitive Urethra with a history of urinal tract infections and I am sure that due to this my exposure was more risky - vaginal fluid could have easily 'entered my system'.
My question is... how accurate is the HIV1 RNA-PCR test that was performed 32 days after potential exposure? From what I found on the internet it is supposed to be conclusive...or inaccurate - as some meds say its not a search test? I understand the latest Rapid test (35 days after) I took is about 80% accurate, according to the councilor at the clinic. I understand that I will have to retest anyway but I would like to know how much I do have to worry, at this point (I suffer from anxiety and depression from this). if it wasn't for my lymph-nodes acting up I wouldn't be so worried - I never had this happen to me before.
Your opinion on the above would be much appreciated.
A few days after unprotected sex I noticed my glands in my groin were acting up and then later, my glands in my armpits. The panic set in instantly. I had no fever and no other symptoms other than in the past 51 days maybe 4-5 times a bit of night sweat around my neck (Random nights, not consecutive and I even checked my temperature right after - again no fever or elevated temperature), just my lymph-nodes being painful. I did have dry eyes for a day or two and experienced a general lack of energy (not a severe fatigue) but I think it was because I was severely stressed out about the whole thing.
About 9 days later I went to an anonymous clinic and had a HIV1/2 Rapid test performed, which was negative. My glands, although irritated, were not swollen (the doctor there checked it). Further testing for Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, etc. turned out negative. However, I was advised by the councilor that I need to retest after 12 weeks as I was within the 'window period' of HIV.
After 32 days I tested negative for HIV1 RNA-PCR and HIV1 Elisa. After 35 days (this was pre-arranged) I tested negative for HIV1/2 Rapid test. After about 40 days, I went to my doctor, confessed to what happened and he performed a blood test (immunology) and a urine test for a variety of STI's as well as Hep C. and Mono. Further, the blood was tested for any abnormalities of the immune system. He thought a couple of my glands (one groin, one above my collar bone appeared to be swollen). The good news was that everything appeared to be completely normal, with no sign of any irregularities in blood or urine.
The bad news is that my lymph-nodes under my arms and in my groin are still bugging me (painful, sometimes stinging or burning sensation). Sometimes the whole day, sometimes just a stinging sensation here and there. I told the doctor about it and he said normally a pain in the glands indicates an infection being fought off. However, he said it contradicted itself with the fact that my test results (blood) were not indicating anything. So he said to just come back in a month to run another set of tests.
I know my exposure to HIV is generally considered lower risk as it was hetero and vaginal only. However, I have a very sensitive Urethra with a history of urinal tract infections and I am sure that due to this my exposure was more risky - vaginal fluid could have easily 'entered my system'.
My question is... how accurate is the HIV1 RNA-PCR test that was performed 32 days after potential exposure? From what I found on the internet it is supposed to be conclusive...or inaccurate - as some meds say its not a search test? I understand the latest Rapid test (35 days after) I took is about 80% accurate, according to the councilor at the clinic. I understand that I will have to retest anyway but I would like to know how much I do have to worry, at this point (I suffer from anxiety and depression from this). if it wasn't for my lymph-nodes acting up I wouldn't be so worried - I never had this happen to me before.
Your opinion on the above would be much appreciated.
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