Swollen inguinal lymph nodes, worried about std

[andrew1994]

I am a 16 year old male. I am in amazing physical condition; however a lymph node in my lower armpit and both inguinal lymph nodes have been swollen for quite some time now. My best friend Dylan keeps telling me its nothing but it still worries me. I believe it started while I was on vacation over the summer. So appropriately 4 months now, just before I had unprotected sex with my girlfriend (she is now my ex and she wasn't a virgin but I believe the guy she originally had sex with was a virgin. and it wasn't that full fledged rough throw-down sex; It lasted all of 15 seconds because her sister almost walked in on us). I have done a respectable amount of research over it and none of it seems to be conclusive to me. I have read that it is often caused by infection, or that allergies can sometimes do it (which are making my nose stuffy right now). I go to a prep school and you can imagine my discomfort and high stress level over grades (and I just got my license which also caused some stress). I am sure it is nothing, but when I read last night that HIV could be a cause, it sent shivers down my spine. I also had some bad diarrhea that lasted about a week and I had my first solid stool this morning (my mom is on a diet so I've been eating differently for about 2-3.5 months now). I haven't been dizzy or felt weak (in fact I am one of the most moderate kids in my Strength and Conditioning class; which does cause me to be a little sore sometimes), I haven't been shivering regularly anywhere (only at home, we aren't running the heater because of our electricity bill), and other than that, my weight has been a pretty consistent 125 for a teenage boy (only fluctuates by about 5 lbs depending on my diet. My appetite has been unwavering) however my weight went up to 130 lbs after Thanksgiving. No sore throat/dry coughs. No fatigue or anything else I can't define with my high school vocab. So I'm pretty regular other than the inguinal nodes which are about the size of the tip of my pointer finger; about 1 centimeter in diameter; and the node in my armpit which is about the size of a pea. They are all move-able and not rock hard but sort of firm like rubbery and they don't stick out, you can just feel them.

UPDATE: I have posted this once before in allergies by accident but in no luck I came here. I also had signs of either a cold or bad allergies about 2 hours ago and I took a allergy pill my mom gave me and I'm just sniffling now.

Please, oh please, I just want to know that they don't mean cancer or an std. Anything else I can deal with. I don't want to confront my mom about it unless I HAVE to because I'm not sure how well she would take it. Anyways I appreciate any help over the subject and look forward (or not) to figuring out what is wrong with me.

Thanks,
Andrew

[andrew1994]

hey guys. don't really care much anymore what it is. just as a follow-up. There is NO possible way it is an STD of ANY kind. I am only posting because of the VERY dull ache in my left groin area. I never really thought of this because I thought it was natural and could be the reason for my node still being irritated (I stopped touching it like everyone suggested and its inflammation went down a little but not completely). But the tube connected to my left testicle has a lump that is slightly bigger than that on the other testicle (from what i understand the lump itself is natural, however i don't know about the size difference). My testes are slightly tender sometimes but nothing unbearable. My lower back has been a little stiff recently but i doubt that has anything to do with it, because my sis has that issue too. oh well, no rush friends. simply curious is all.

Thank you for all of your help,
Andrew

[gracefromHHP]

really nothing you've mentioned sounds like it's std related lymph nodes that are swollen for more than week or so should be followed up on with your medical provider.  Ask your parents to take you to the clinic for a proper check up.  

if you've had unprotected sex, you should cover your bases with proper testing. It's part of being sexually responsible. At least cover the bases with testing for chlamydia and gonorrhea, the 2 most likely std's in your age group.

have you had your gardasil shots yet? if not, discuss them with your provider while you are there. your sexual experiences are minimal so it's the best time to get them if you haven't already. If your insurance doesn't cover them, you can get them free at your local health department.  

www.iwannaknow.org is a website with info on condom use, std's, birth control etc and is aimed at teens .it's worth checking out to better educate yourself about std's in general .  Be educated about std's, not fearful of them!!!  also remember protect yourself - condoms for oral and genital sex!

grace

[andrew1994]

hey, recently i have had a very slight pain in my left hip. last night i got sort of dizzy and puked up dinner, but after i puked i started to feel better. But regardless i am still trying to figure out my problem. the node in that hip is still swollen, i am doing my best not to touch it but its kinda hard to do when u can feel your hip... and my ex did tell me she was tested negative so i am running out of ideas that could be causing this. I think it started hurting the other day; i was helping my dad run a wire through the crawl-space between the 2 floors (if you've ever done it you would know its kind of a work out) and i thought it was just my leg being sore. any thoughts?

[andrew1994]

Thank you,

The afternoon I posted this my "allergies" seemed to act up worse. The following Tuesday I had a cold/minor flu (as well as many others in my sophomore class). I also talked to my Ex and she said that she had been tested a while back and it came back negative. So I've ruled out any std, also with my first AP course this year I've come to the conclusion that it is stress causing most of my panic.

Thanks for the help, I'm much more comfortable now that finals are over.
Andrew