Aa
HIV Acute Retroviral Syndrome (ARS)
Dear Doctor Handsfield:
As someone who has had a high-risk exposure similar to many of the people who have written (i.e., sex with a prostitute with a latex condom), I have become more aware of my body and the potential of ARS. I noticed that many of the questions surrounding ARS have to do with swollen lymph glands (or are they called nodes?) I'm wondering if you could briefly address a few questions regarding ARS and swollen glands.
#1--I keep reading that one single swollen lymph node is not suggestive of ARS in any way shape or form. How can we be so sure about that?
#2 What about cases of two swollen lymph nodes? For example, I can feel ONE swollen node in my axilla, and ONE swollen node below my left ear. The swollen node below the ear was swollen for almost a week before the one in the axilla came along. No other nodes are swollen. Is this typical of ARS for lymph nodes to swell in waves (i.e., one swells this week, then another one next week, etc)?
#3--Is it true that ARS is a constellation of symptoms with fever, swollen lymph glands (i.e., flu-like symptoms)? Or can ARS present itself with one symptom, such as ONLY fever, or ONLY swollen lymph nodes.
#4--I have also read that swollen lymph gland as a result of ARS are not painful. How can this be so? I thought that if lymph nodes swell due to "infection," then such swollen nodes are almost always painful (at least for a few days). Or do you answer questions regarding "painful node" and ARS solely based on your experience with your patient (in other words, there is a possibility that other doctors have experienced patients with painful nodes during ARS.
As you can see from my line of questioning, I'm a little anxious.
Thanks,
WadeM.
As someone who has had a high-risk exposure similar to many of the people who have written (i.e., sex with a prostitute with a latex condom), I have become more aware of my body and the potential of ARS. I noticed that many of the questions surrounding ARS have to do with swollen lymph glands (or are they called nodes?) I'm wondering if you could briefly address a few questions regarding ARS and swollen glands.
#1--I keep reading that one single swollen lymph node is not suggestive of ARS in any way shape or form. How can we be so sure about that?
#2 What about cases of two swollen lymph nodes? For example, I can feel ONE swollen node in my axilla, and ONE swollen node below my left ear. The swollen node below the ear was swollen for almost a week before the one in the axilla came along. No other nodes are swollen. Is this typical of ARS for lymph nodes to swell in waves (i.e., one swells this week, then another one next week, etc)?
#3--Is it true that ARS is a constellation of symptoms with fever, swollen lymph glands (i.e., flu-like symptoms)? Or can ARS present itself with one symptom, such as ONLY fever, or ONLY swollen lymph nodes.
#4--I have also read that swollen lymph gland as a result of ARS are not painful. How can this be so? I thought that if lymph nodes swell due to "infection," then such swollen nodes are almost always painful (at least for a few days). Or do you answer questions regarding "painful node" and ARS solely based on your experience with your patient (in other words, there is a possibility that other doctors have experienced patients with painful nodes during ARS.
As you can see from my line of questioning, I'm a little anxious.
Thanks,
WadeM.
Thanks "Imdumb" (except that you don't sound dumb at all!)
Okay, two things that nag me (and maybe it's because I did it with a commercial sex worker (prostitute, if you will).
1. Everyone keeps saying that "if the condom does not break," then the risk is very low. I thought HIV does not pass through intact latex. So, if the condom does not break, and if it's used for the ENTIRE sex act, would the risk be ZERO (after-the fact). Or is it simply that the only ZERO risk is no sex. Just like there is a small risk in crossing the street. Thus, the ONLY ZERO risk with respect to crossing the street is "no crossing."
2. Secondly, about condom breakage: Of course, if a condom breaks at the tip, it is obvious, because the penis will be visibly exposed. What about tears anywhere along the shaft? Will it be as obvious???? I've only been with two women in my life, so I don't know. My guess is that is would be evident, because a condom on the penis is just latex being stretched thin. Thus, a tear along the shaft will not just be a subtle tear. Educate me on this please?
Okay, two things that nag me (and maybe it's because I did it with a commercial sex worker (prostitute, if you will).
1. Everyone keeps saying that "if the condom does not break," then the risk is very low. I thought HIV does not pass through intact latex. So, if the condom does not break, and if it's used for the ENTIRE sex act, would the risk be ZERO (after-the fact). Or is it simply that the only ZERO risk is no sex. Just like there is a small risk in crossing the street. Thus, the ONLY ZERO risk with respect to crossing the street is "no crossing."
2. Secondly, about condom breakage: Of course, if a condom breaks at the tip, it is obvious, because the penis will be visibly exposed. What about tears anywhere along the shaft? Will it be as obvious???? I've only been with two women in my life, so I don't know. My guess is that is would be evident, because a condom on the penis is just latex being stretched thin. Thus, a tear along the shaft will not just be a subtle tear. Educate me on this please?
You could pour all of HIV infected vaginal juce on the side of your penis your want to, any you will never get HIV. No more than if you poured it on your hand or leg. HIV will not go through the intact skin. If you have an open wound, it could get in.
I think the reason the Dr. says "near zero" or "virtually zero" is because in science, you just cant't speak in absoloutes. Lets say you have a big sore on the base of your penis that the condom didn't cover and the vaginal juice flowed over it. It is "Possible" the virus could pass through there.
If you eventually find out you have HIV from your expouser, call the CDC and DR HHH because you would be one in 40 million to get HIV though a latex condom that was used properly. I'm sure they would be interested to hear about it.
On a final note, how much do you worry about other things that have 1 in 40 milliom odds?
I think the reason the Dr. says "near zero" or "virtually zero" is because in science, you just cant't speak in absoloutes. Lets say you have a big sore on the base of your penis that the condom didn't cover and the vaginal juice flowed over it. It is "Possible" the virus could pass through there.
If you eventually find out you have HIV from your expouser, call the CDC and DR HHH because you would be one in 40 million to get HIV though a latex condom that was used properly. I'm sure they would be interested to hear about it.
On a final note, how much do you worry about other things that have 1 in 40 milliom odds?
Fair enough.
But I'm not circumsized. So, I don't think pouring HIV infected fluid on my shaft would be safe. :(
But I'm not circumsized. So, I don't think pouring HIV infected fluid on my shaft would be safe. :(
Why not? Your shaft doesn't mean your ureatha. The virus still has to get into your body, circumsized or not. I think the reason they say uncircumsized men MAY have a higher isk is only because the juice can get trapped in the forekin and remain at the ureatha opening longer, giving it more time to get in. It wouldn't habe anything to do with the shaft.
You asked me, "On a final note, how much do you worry about other things that have 1 in 40 milliom odds?"
Well, generally NEVER. But in this case: I feel like I symptoms for the past four weeks. Generally, different kind of symptoms from 3 days of stuffy nose during the 1st week, to just yesterday ONE swollen node in the armpit (but could be a cyst)...to anything you name it. I just think it's too coincidental that I'm feeling all these things in my body. Of course, I want to be negative.
Well, generally NEVER. But in this case: I feel like I symptoms for the past four weeks. Generally, different kind of symptoms from 3 days of stuffy nose during the 1st week, to just yesterday ONE swollen node in the armpit (but could be a cyst)...to anything you name it. I just think it's too coincidental that I'm feeling all these things in my body. Of course, I want to be negative.
It's not coincidental at all. It coincides with worry and anxiety. I had the same thing. I swore I had swollen nodes. Went to the Dr. and he said nope. ASk HHH, you should never try to doig up your nodes on your own.
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
