[Question #10464] painless persistent lymph node

22 months ago

You told me not to come back to the forum, I apologize for that, but I'm in a very bad situation, please help me. (Continuation of question #10433)

When I last talked to you, I had a negative test on the 92nd day, then I had the combo test ag/ab again on the 115th day and it came back negative. But I have a painless bean-sized lymph node in the lower part of my left neck, above the collarbone. and it moves as I touch it. By the way, I don't have diseases such as ITP, a full blood count was done and everything came back normal.

I have some questions again:

1)Could this lymph node in the lower left part of my left neck be related to HIV?

2)If the lymph node swelling is caused by HIV, doesn't this mean the formation of antibodies? Shouldn't it show up in tests?

3)My iron level was low, is this HIV?

4)I live in Turkey, some HIV associations and doctors told me that my tests were sufficient, but some doctors and professors in some of my countries recommend repeat testing in the 6th month or even the 12th month if there are symptoms. Could this be true? I am very, very scared.

5)Even if I rule out HIV 1, is there a chance I will have HIV 2?

6)Is HIV 2 common in Turkey and the Middle East? Some doctors say it's almost non-existent.

7)A professor, in line with his experience, said that there are people whose test results may change in the 6th month or even the 1st year, and he says to have it repeated, especially if there is a lymph node. Do you think this is true?

8)Apart from my lower left neck, lymph nodes can be felt in my groin and armpit area when I poke too much (but only when I poke too much).And I have constant eye redness and a lump of flesh in my mouth. Is this HIV?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

22 months ago

I'm sorry you are back. These questions do not change the replies on your previous two threads. It is 100% certain you do not have HIV, and you may not keep coming to the forum with "yes but", "are you sure", or "could I be the exception" questions. Here is a quote from my first reply to your first thread; I do not know how it could be stated more clearly:

"...the AgAb tests are conclusive any time 45 days or more after the last possible exposure" and "The test results overrule all other considerations: no matter how high the risk of exposure to HIV at the time, and no matter what symptoms someone has, the test results can be relied with no exceptions. In addition to being conclusive at the times you were tested, the results specifically prove that your symptoms are not cause by HIV: it is never possible to have HIV symptoms and have a negative test result. It has never happened."

1) HIV infection never causes a single enlarged lymph node. There are innumerable other possible causes, all more common than HIV. Probably it's harmless, nothing important.

2) Yes, antibodies would "show up in tests" if you had HIV.

3) No. HIV and iron metabolism are unrelated.

4,7) Testing beyond 45 days is never necessary. It's too bad some doctors believe otherwise. They are wrong. In some countries and settings, professional opinions are influenced by religion and culture; perhaps that's at play here.

5) No. Your tests are proof you have neither HIV1 nor HIV2.

6) I do not know HIV2 frequency in Turkey. Probably it is low, but it doesn't matter. You don't have it.

7) HIV does not cause such symptoms and your tests prove you do not have it.

Please consider professional counseling. It is not normal to be so fearful after the reasoned, science based information you have had. It seems likely your fears are driven in part by conflicts about your sexual choices and preferences. Professional counseling is the only way to get beyond such concerns. I am aware that social conditions in your country make it difficult. Nonetheless, there is nothing more this forum can offer you. If you remain concerned you also can go back and carefully re-read all three of your forum threads. The information was intended to be reassuring to you.

There will be no discussion. The forum does not permit repeated anxiety driven questions on the same topic. This being your third, with identical opinions and advice each time, it must be your last. Future new ones will be deleted without comment and without refund of the posting fee. This policy is based on compassion, not criticism, and is designed to reduce temptations to keep paying for questions with obvious answers. In addition, our experience is that continued answers to anxiety-driven questions simply prolong those anxieties, when a better option is usually to seek professional counseling. Finally, such questions have little educational value for other users, one of the forum's main purposes. Thank you for your understanding.

I honestly wish you the very best. It is clear you are a fine person and I hope you can get beyond your irrationality on these issues. Good luck.

HHH, MD

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