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Am I HIV Infected from encounter 9 yrs ago?
About 9 nine years ago, I had unprotected sex with a girl on a beach trip. I had never had unprotected sex before. She said that she was on her way to the military, so hope she was tested prior. I was so paranoid afterwards about catching an STD, especially HIV. I looked up the symptoms of HIV on the Internet and frequently started checking my glands in my neck to see if they were swelling. Ironically, seven days after the encounter, they slightly swelled up. The left gland was a little bigger than the right. I started feeling my armpits, but was not able to tell if they were swollen or not. The left side of my face seemed to slightly swell and I could not tell if it was a swollen parotid gland, which I have read could be a symptom of HIV. I am trying to remember, but I think after another week or so, this all went away. However, my slightly swollen face seemed to linger, but eventually went away. I had no other symptoms (no fever, no rash, no sore throat) I don't know why that 9 years later, I am starting to get concerned again. No other symptoms over those years persisted nor developed until I got a sore on my leg a month ago that turned into cellutlitis w/ possible MRSA (Diagnosed by Emergency Dept) Is that a sign of my immune system weakening? My WBC was high. I was put on antibiotics that caused me to break a fever in the evening. The ER said the cellulitis was probably community related from the gym. It went away after a couple weeks, but my stress of HIV again seems to cause me to have very minor night sweats. Armpits and a little on my chest, but this is not consistent. I lowered the room temperature and seems to have stopped. I have read that once HIV infected, symptoms can disappear for up to 10 years before progressing to aids. I am wondering if I am HIV infected and if it is progressing to AIDS. I get anxiety very easily and just afraid that if I get tested, I may have bad news that will be very difficult for me to handle. I have a great career and life otherwise. I have never done drugs or anything else harmful to my body, which is why I feel so guilty. 95% of my sexual encounters are protected. Sorry this is so long and drawn out. First time I have posted anything about this concern. Thank you.
Thank you for the response. I will get the test. Do any of the symptoms I mentioned sound like HIV? (swollen glands in neck and left cheek that I had 9 yrs ago)? Is this like a 50/50 likelihood?
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