please help me. Bad Symptoms

[Scaredone]

I recently have had a good amount of lymph nodes appear.  They are all relatively small (about 1cm ) One anterior cervical on each side, one posterior cervical on left side, one high occipital on each side, one infront of my ear on left side, and a small grouped one that feels like two very tiny nodes connected to a larger 1mm node on right side jugular.  I'm pretty sure I have the location of all of them right.  I read that lymphadenopathy is a sign of HIV and I cant seem to find another cause.  I also have pressure, muffled hearing in my right ear.  I've had a few unprotected sexual encounters but all with boyfriends. (im a female)  I have an appointment tomorrow at 11am to get tested but I just would like some opinions for the next two week wait.   I went to the dr and was already tested for mono and had bloodwork done at the doctors, he said everything looked normal and told me it was probably reactive lymph nodes to the weather change.  What also scares me is at one point I did contract molluscum and I know that is common in HIV.  I was new at my gym and had been using the sauna, I assumed thats where
I picked it up.  Strangely enough my husband never caught it from me.  I didnt treat it and had it for over a year.  It was on my thigh and genitals.  I'm very worried.  I am strongly convinced that with all of these lymph nodes and no explanation, its HIV.  Im only 25 and dont have health insurance, how will I get treatment?  Do my ailments sound like Im HIV+?

[jkinatl2]

Nothing you mention sounds at all like HIV. Lymph nodes can swell for all sorts of reasons. Poking at them, for example, is a great way to accomplish that.

As for the molluscum, it's called Molluscum Contagiosum for a reason - it's pretty contagious, and you can easily get it from workout machines at the gym. One of my dearest friends is dealing with recurring staph and molluscum situations from exactly that exposure. Me, I wear long pants because I'm paranoid.

Any time you have unprotected intercourse, even with a boyfriend, you are trusting that he is HIV negative. And until such time as you test together, three months' into the relationship, and are reliably monogamous, these are real risks.

Assuming it's been three months since your last unprotected sex with a partner of unknown status, your test should be considered definitive. Also, you REALLY ought to get a full STD panel done as well. Many STDs can linger unnoticed for months or years, and can seriously mess you up.

I seriously expect you to come through this OK, however.