worried

[mariopuzo]

hello everyone,

just a few questions. in the past 5yrs i have had a few unprotected one night stands and i suppose due to maturity( am 30 now) i havent been as reckless in the past year. my main worry is a chronic tesicular/groin area pain which has been intensively investigated by specialist with no diagnosis. from what i have been reading on here if one has enlarged lymph nodes you can significantly feel them. i have a funny sensation in my groin area and under armpits but cannot feel anything (lymph nodes). i however for the past year have felt what i thought were my tonsils under my jaw and they are quite big and are not painful but are there. are they suppose to be there. if it was tonsillitis arent i suppose to have an inflammation with high fever etc, i dont. I have noticed in the past year whenever i run on the treadmill at the gym my ankles and knees ache for a few days hence im now avoidant of this exercise. I have not lost any significant weight loss, in fact in the past 2yrs i have gained 5kgs.

Im planning to move abroad for work and the country im planning to go to requires that i have an HIV test and just the thought of that gives me panic attacks and makes me realise how reckless i have been in the past.

Do u think the symptoms i have listed warrant any worry?

[ACinKC]

Your HIV status CANNOT be diagnosed by symptoms.  The only way to know for sure is to take an approved test at the appropriate time.  If you have had unprotected intercourse you have had a risk and should test to know your status.

Anything else is guesswork and we dont do that here.

[Andy Velez]

OK, as AC has indicated, HIV status is never something to guess about. You've had unprotected intercourse which means you put yourself at risk. So you need to get tested at 13 weeks past the most recent unprotected incident.

You also need to learn from this experience. Although it is more difficult for the HIV virus to be passed from female to male, lower risk is not the same as no risk. You can have intercourse as often as you like with as many partners as you want to. But you must do it the safer way which means always, ALWAYS wearing a latex condom. No exceptions and no excuses, please.

As for your lumps and bumps which are bothering you, they are not in any way HIV specific. Discuss them with your doctor. And don't bother them by squeezing, pressing or other manipulations. You'll possibly create a problem where none exists.

Good luck with your test result.

Cheers,

[mariopuzo]

thanks to both of you for your advice. Will go get tested soon and update you on results. God bless.

[Andy Velez]

Good move and good luck.

Cheers,