Are Enlarged Lymph Nodes And Fever Indicative Of HIV Infection?

Posted on Fri, 12 Aug 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 12 Aug 2016 Answered on

Thu, 1 Sep 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : yes.. my lymph nodes have been swollen for a week and I think I now have a low grade fever and I believe I may have contracted hiv

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please mention your query in detail.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,

Welcome to HCM.

Enlarged lymph nodes with low grade fever can occur due to many causes and the symptoms are not specific for HIV so please provide some details about the risk or exposure you had and if done any test for HIV or other STDs. Attach the report for my reference if you have.

Thank You

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Sunil Jangid (15 minutes later)

I had an episode with a woman in may who I now know is a drug user.. a couple days later I was put on truvada for pep.. 28 days ... two days after pep I was tested and results were negative.. then about two weeks ago I had a lymph node on my jawbone which is still there and about a week ago a bunch of lymph nodes under my chin became swollen and still are

Answered by Dr. Sunil Jangid (24 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
The risk is very less.

Detailed Answer:
Dear XXXX,

Welcome back and thanks for follow-up.

The risk of contracting HIV from single risky exposure is very less so don't worry. You can go for repeat testing to relieve your anxiety as 3 months have passed so the result will be 100% conclusive and accurate which also clears all your doubts.

There are so many causes of swollen lymph nodes not only be HIV so consult your physician, go for some investigations to isolate the cause and follow the treatment regime as per the advice. Be relaxed and move ahead in life happily.

Thank You

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar