Hello,

I had a very risky exposure on November 23rd, 2020 On about December 23rd (30 Days post-exposure), I came down with some very severe flu-like symptoms: fever about 38.2 Celsius, Night Sweats, Loss of Appetite, Headache, Chills. Symptoms onset was very rapid, within 2 hours of feeling normal I had a high fever and chills. The symptoms lasted for about 7-8 days altogether, after the symptoms had subsided I was left with a weird feeling in my mouth (occasional bad taste and dry mouth) and a white tongue. Also a weird feeling in my armpit (both sides), the doctor was able to palpate one swollen lymph node but said it was not big enough to warrant concern.

After all of the other symptoms had subsided on about the 65th-day post-exposure I had a lymph node swell (diagnosed by a doctor) behind my left ear to about the size of grape the node was red and painful. After about 3 days the lymph node decreased in size and no longer hurt, at this time the lymph node is no longer inflamed but still has not returned to pre-swelling size. The HIV specialist that I saw (I have seen 1 GP and 2 ID Specialists) said that it was most likely due to a tooth infection that I had recently been diagnosed with and prescribed me Amoxicillin for 10 days.

Tests

- 38 Days - RNA Qualitative TMA – Negative

- 43 Days - Insti HIV 1/ HIV 2 3rd Generation POC – Negative

- 48 Days - 4th Generation Ag/Ab Test and full STD Panel - Negative (except HSV type 1 - positive)

- 57 Days - 4th Generation Ag/Ab Test – Negative

- 63 Days - 4th Generation Ag/Ab Test & RNA Qualitative TMA – Negative

- 93 Days - Insti HIV 1/ HIV 2 3rd Generation POC – Negative

- 94 Days - 4th Generation Ag/Ab – results tomorrow

At this point, all my symptoms have gone except my lymph nodes. I have 1 large swollen inguinal lymph node on the right and 2 shotty lymph nodes on the left side. In addition to the lymph node in the groin area, I have had pain for about 10 days in both armpits (what feels like the side of the chest muscle).

Are my swollen lymph nodes caused by HIV?

Could I still be positive after all these tests?

Welcome to the Forum and thanks for your question.  I'll be glad to comment.  I am confident that your recent repeat test will be negative as were your earlier tests which unequivocally prove that you do not have HIV.  I realize that when a person searches the internet for swollen lymph nodes the possibility of HIV comes up prominently but this, like so much on the internet is misleading.  Swollen lymph nodes are a non-specific reaction as the body fights infection and inflammation.  Every day flu-like, non HIV viral illnesses, tooth abscesses, other infections and other sorts of inflammation can cause swollen lymph nodes.  Further, if one looks hard enough, a good health care provider can find "shotty", swollen lymph nodes in most people, particularly in the groin or under the arms.  Tests play an important role in evaluation of swollen lymph nodes and in your case, you have three different types of tests (for antigen, for antibodies, and for the virus itself [the RNA test], all of which are negative.  You can be confident that your swollen lymph nodes are NOT due to HIV.  I hope that between your own doctor and me we can convince you that there is no need for further testing related to your prior exposure.

I hope this information is helpful.  EWH

I think you are worrying unnecessarily and some of these questions are repetitive.  Brief replies:

1.  Yes, there is no doubt that you do not have HIV.

2. No, the quantitative RNA test of used for following response to therapy.  Believe your RNA test result

3. Yes, it is a superb test.

4.  It was repetitive.  AS I have said above, you already proved more than once that you do not have HIV.

5. No!!

6.  Sigh. If you had the ARS, your test would be positive.  Further, it is too late for you to have the ARS which occurs in the first 2-3 weeks following infection.

Believe your tests.  EWG

I’m not the least bit surprised at your test results since you have previously repeatedly proven that you were not infected by HIV.  I cannot fathom why you continue to ask these repetitive questions.  Currently available tests for HIV are amongst the most reliable tests in all of medicine.  In my own experience, when persons such as you cannot accept their test results when they have been misled by the internet where much information is taken out of context, is out of date or is just plain wrong, when they have been influenced by guilt over an encounter that they have come to regret or a combination of the two

1. Yes

2. Yes

3. Never, and you will not be the first. 

4. I disagree and see no need for further testing.  Your results are not going to change related to the encounter you described. 

5.No.  If your lymph node swelling were due to HIV your 4^th generation test would be positive.  .

6.  LabCorp is a respected, highly reliable laboratory.  Believe your test results   There is no need for further testing of any sort at any lab.

7. HIV-2 has been ruled out.  Believe your test results.

This will complete this thread.  Please believe your test results.  EWH