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Is Lymph Node Swelling A Symptom Of STD?
Question: Hello Doctor,
I had unprotected sex in the month of July. After then i was worried and met with a doctor on 40th day and he checked me completely and asked me to take HIV PCR DNA test, HSV 1 & 2, VDRL and urine test. I gave my blood sample on 41st day and result came after one week and all results came negative. I showed my results to my doctor and he said i dont have any STD's and nothing to worry about. But after 2 months from the encounter i got swollen lymph node behind my left ear. It was little painful in the beginning after few days it started reducing but still its there. Last week i got one more back of my neck and yesterday started pain in my armpit when i checked its not swollen.
Now i am worried again if i got any STD's. Kindly help me on this.
I had unprotected sex in the month of July. After then i was worried and met with a doctor on 40th day and he checked me completely and asked me to take HIV PCR DNA test, HSV 1 & 2, VDRL and urine test. I gave my blood sample on 41st day and result came after one week and all results came negative. I showed my results to my doctor and he said i dont have any STD's and nothing to worry about. But after 2 months from the encounter i got swollen lymph node behind my left ear. It was little painful in the beginning after few days it started reducing but still its there. Last week i got one more back of my neck and yesterday started pain in my armpit when i checked its not swollen.
Now i am worried again if i got any STD's. Kindly help me on this.
Brief Answer:
Please consult surgeon and take antibiotics.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
A lymphnode swelling in the head and neck regions should be examined by a surgeon. If it has appeared suddenly and is painful then the cause must be an acute infection or inflammation. If it is slowly growing and painless then it can be a chronic illness or something more serious.
As you say it was a little painful in the beginning, I guess it is due to an acute infection. There can be many possibilities for the infection and usually treatment includes taking a course of antibiotics and painkillers to decrease inflammation.
Discussing about STDs since you had unprotected sex in July, I suggest you take a HIV test ELISA after 6 months from date of unprotected sex to confirm that you do not have the infection.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Please consult surgeon and take antibiotics.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing in to us.
I have read through your query in detail.
A lymphnode swelling in the head and neck regions should be examined by a surgeon. If it has appeared suddenly and is painful then the cause must be an acute infection or inflammation. If it is slowly growing and painless then it can be a chronic illness or something more serious.
As you say it was a little painful in the beginning, I guess it is due to an acute infection. There can be many possibilities for the infection and usually treatment includes taking a course of antibiotics and painkillers to decrease inflammation.
Discussing about STDs since you had unprotected sex in July, I suggest you take a HIV test ELISA after 6 months from date of unprotected sex to confirm that you do not have the infection.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Brief Answer:
ELISA at 90 and 180 days is standard practice.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
It is true that PCR DNA test is very sensitive as this measures actual viral material and is required to be done within 4 weeks of the suspected infection. At 40 days you should have got a standard antibody test like ELISA or a similar test. Even if PCR DNA is negative, it is suggested to do another antibody test at 90 and 180 days.
I disagree with your doctor if he has told no other test is required.
There is nothing to worry about HIV but as a standard procedure, I will suggest you take ELISA or similar test at 90 and 180 days.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
ELISA at 90 and 180 days is standard practice.
Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,
Thanks for writing back with an update.
It is true that PCR DNA test is very sensitive as this measures actual viral material and is required to be done within 4 weeks of the suspected infection. At 40 days you should have got a standard antibody test like ELISA or a similar test. Even if PCR DNA is negative, it is suggested to do another antibody test at 90 and 180 days.
I disagree with your doctor if he has told no other test is required.
There is nothing to worry about HIV but as a standard procedure, I will suggest you take ELISA or similar test at 90 and 180 days.
Hope this answers your question. Please feel free to correct any oversight in my interpretation of your problems and discuss them in detail as per your requirements.
Hope your query is answered.
Do write back if you have any doubts.
Regards,
Dr.Vivek
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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