OK- Last straw

[vagobbler]

Ann,

I have been reading your responses to all of the people on here and your knowledge is hopeful.  I had an encounter with a woman who claims that she is HIV- but 3 weeks after I have swollen lymph nodes in neck, armpits and groin.  After our sex she had a test for STDs which came back negative but she did not have an HIV test.

What is the likelyhood or risk percentage from this single unprotected vaginal intercourse?  It lasted about 2 minutes before I came to my senses. 

Here is what About.com had in their health section.  Seems to me that no one would have HIV if these numbers are correct.  It mentions that the site is monitored by physicians.  What is your take?

" Vaginal intercourse - infected women to uninfected men
Studies seem to confirm that the risk is quite low, about 1 in 200,000 but of course the risk is not zero."

Thanks again for your help

[RapidRod]

HIV is not a guessing game. As you have been told in other forums you will need to test. A conclusive test result is 3 months post exposure.

[Andy Velez]

First of all, you need to stop having unprotected intercourse. As long as you always use a condom the status of your partner is irrelevant. Latex condoms provide very effective protection against HIV transmission, but only when you use one every time.

HIV is not an easy virus to transmit. It's significantly more difficult to transmit from female to male. However, low risk is not the same as no risk. So you do need to get tested in relation to this incident. Do that at 13 weeks after the most recent unprotected incident. Given this was a single incident, the odds are significantly in your favor that you will test negative.

Learn from this experience and don't put yourself at risk again. Use condoms. Everytime for intercourse, whether vaginal or anal.

Good luck with your test.

[vagobbler]

Thanks Andy and RapidRod,

With regards to my swollen nodes, how big will they be to qualify as swollen?  (Marble, ping pong etc)

Also, there seems to be only swelling and a burning sensation in my right armpit and right groin.  I have swelling underneath my ears behind my jaws with a stiff neck too.  Is this common with HIV? 

I am awaiting time to test but really freaking out.  Your input is very helpful.

[Andy Velez]

Swollen lymph nodes are absolutely NOT an HIV-specific occurrence. They happen for all sorts of reasons. However, lymph nodes are very sensitive to being touch, pressed, squeezed and otherwise bothered. So you need to keep your hands off of them lest you create a bigger problem.

Discuss them with your doctor as well as your other symptoms. Again, I expect you will test negative based on what you have told us.

The waiting time to get tested will pass much more quickly if you get otherwise productively busy in your life. Also you can if you wish test at 6 weeks as all but the smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will have done so at that point. If you get the negative I expect you still need to confirm it with another test at 13 weeks.

[vagobbler]

Thanks Andy.

I am not even sure my lymph nodes are swollen as I can not feel them.  I have been careful not to poke or press on them.   I am just experiencing generalized swelling and pain from some of them, specifically right armpit and directly below my ears.  I am also having numbness near my right groin node but again I can not feel the node specifically. 

This site is a really great source of knowledge and sometimes comfort for those in need of your expertise.  Please keep up the great service.

[Andy Velez]

Well lymph nodes or not, just discuss whatever is bothering you with your doctor.

[vagobbler]

All,

I have read the archives for an answer to a question like mine and did not find one so here goes.  On Feb 20, 2008 I had unprotected vaginal intercourse for about 2 minutes.  The woman claims to be HIV- to this day but I have had symptoms that fall within the typical infection window for HIV. 

I have seen where you don't recommend testing on every event due to the 1 and 2 million percent chance of infection from a women.  Oh, I am a 38 yo male.

1. My question is would your answer be different if the following symptoms are present?

Day 4:  Fever blister on lip (lasted 2 weeks)
Day 7:  Undetermined dime sized lesion on jaw (went away with cortisone creme)
Day 13-23: Swollen glands in right armpit, right groin and under both ears
Day 20 and 24:  Night sweats (4 days apart- no daytime fever yet)
Day 28:  And this morning I have a Sore throat

2. Do these seem consistent with HIV infection?
3. Would all the symptoms come on at once vs. being staggered?
4. Should I get tested? 

Thanks

[Ann]

V,

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep all your additional thoughts or questions in one thread.

If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.

Please also read through the Welcome Thread so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.

We don't discuss symptoms here as they will not tell you anything about your hiv status. Take your symptoms to your doctor. You cannot be diagnosed over the internet.

You need to test - not because of your symptoms - but because you had UNPROTECTED intercourse. We ALWAYS tell people they need to test after something that is actually a risk. You had a risk; you need to test.

A test three months past this incident will give you a conclusive result. In the meantime, don't bother telling US how you feel, tell your doctor.

Ann

[vagobbler]

I have a question regarding lymph nodes in ARS for the experts on here.

1.  How long do they typically stay swollen in primary HIV infection?
2.  How large do they get in primary infection?
3.  Do they hurt, burn or are they painless swelling for the most part. 

Thanks

[Matty the Damned]

Please keep all your additional thoughts, questions and comments in your original thread. This helps us to follow your story and give you the most accurate advice.

If you can't find you original thread click on the red link I've provided above. Alternatively you can click on the "show own posts" link in the left hand column of any forums page.

Your questions will not be answered until you return to your original thread.

MtD

[vagobbler]

I have a question regarding lymph nodes in ARS for the experts on here.

1.  How long do they typically stay swollen in primary HIV infection?
2.  How large do they get in primary infection?
3.  Do they hurt, burn or are they painless swelling for the most part.

Thanks

[Matty the Damned]

Vag,

Thank you for returning to your original thread.

Obsessing about your glands will not help you determine your HIV status, nor will it give you peace of mind during the window period. Only have an HIV antibody test will resolve this issue for you.

MtD

[Andy Velez]

I've merged your threads here. Keep all of your entries in this same thread. Thanks for your cooperation.

Worrying and fussing and trying to quantify issues regarding lymph nodes will not give you the answer you want. Only an HIV test done at the proper time can give you that. Meantime leave your lymph nodes alone and just discuss them with your doctor. You've already been told all of this before. Are you listening? Or is your anxiety going to continue to run the show? That will not give you any peace.  See your doctor, test at the appropriate time and in the meantime stay productively busy. It will really help to pass the waiting time faster than you may imagine is possible.

[vagobbler]

I have taken my test.  Awaiting the results.  Can someone please answer the questions posed above?  Thanks

[Andy Velez]

As I think you've already been told, symptoms including swollen lymph nodes will never tell you anything accurately about your HIV status. And now you're stuck on trying to quantify details of swollen nodes which of course cannot be done in anyway that reliably dovetails with HIV status. So give it up. You got tested. You'll have your result shortly, which I expect will be negative. Stay productively busy in the interim. Lay off of the web. All will be well.

Cheers,