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Suggest Treatment For Swollen Lymph Nodes, Tender Armpits And Negative HIV Test Result
Question: I had a 4th gen test for hiv cam out negative , is this a good sign? I have a swollen lymph node on my neck and tender armpits. Am very nervous. Er doctor told me I had nothing to worry about given that the 4th gen would have picked up the infection. Is this true. I had a rash as well and I was given medicine for and took it away in 5 days , I had taken flagyl and they presumed it was an allergic reaction , that was in the end of July.
Brief Answer:
It depends on how long after the exposure you had your test
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
You had not mentioned anything about your sexual activities and whether you got married or not? How long after your last sex contact you had your 4th generation HIV test?
4th generation test has two parts.
Antigen detection and antibody detection.
Antigens can be detected as early as 1 week onwards, but becomes more conclusive by 4 weeks after the exposure, if there is infection.
Antibodies can be detected only after 6-8 weeks and may be delayed up to 12 weeks.
If your 4th HIV test is negative even after 12 weeks after the exposure, then it is sure that you are free from HIV infection beyond any doubt.
Dr S Murugan
It depends on how long after the exposure you had your test
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
Thanks for posting your query.
You had not mentioned anything about your sexual activities and whether you got married or not? How long after your last sex contact you had your 4th generation HIV test?
4th generation test has two parts.
Antigen detection and antibody detection.
Antigens can be detected as early as 1 week onwards, but becomes more conclusive by 4 weeks after the exposure, if there is infection.
Antibodies can be detected only after 6-8 weeks and may be delayed up to 12 weeks.
If your 4th HIV test is negative even after 12 weeks after the exposure, then it is sure that you are free from HIV infection beyond any doubt.
Dr S Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
July 21 had test Aug 1st and Aug 10. Er doctor told me I shouldn't worry. The girl took 2 oraquick years and both were negative. But these pains in my neck , armpits and groin. I am concerned. This girl was ink girl I had sex with in 4 months. July 21st . I tried to take another job test yesterday but doctor told me to wait 6 months. That test would have picked up infection by now.
Both oraquick on Aug 3. Both negative
Both oraquick on Aug 3. Both negative
Brief Answer:
You are almost free from HIV 1 infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
I am not able to follow few sentences of yours. Anyhow I understood that your last contact was on July 21st and you had your test on August 1st and 10th. Your second test was done 20 days after the exposure. Your HIV results were reliable to maximum extent. That is the antigen part is almost reliable and the antibody part cannot be. So you are free from HIV 1 infection. HIV 2 has to be ruled out after the window period by the antibody part of the test.
HIV 1 infection is the commonest HIV infection through out the world except in certain parts of XXXXXXX to the extent of 99.5%. HIV 2 infection is rare. Moreover two negative oraquick tests for your girlfriend (not exactly known how long after her last sex contact) ascertained that she is likely to be HIV non-reactive and you are unlikely to have HIV infection.
Dr S Murugan
You are almost free from HIV 1 infection
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
I am not able to follow few sentences of yours. Anyhow I understood that your last contact was on July 21st and you had your test on August 1st and 10th. Your second test was done 20 days after the exposure. Your HIV results were reliable to maximum extent. That is the antigen part is almost reliable and the antibody part cannot be. So you are free from HIV 1 infection. HIV 2 has to be ruled out after the window period by the antibody part of the test.
HIV 1 infection is the commonest HIV infection through out the world except in certain parts of XXXXXXX to the extent of 99.5%. HIV 2 infection is rare. Moreover two negative oraquick tests for your girlfriend (not exactly known how long after her last sex contact) ascertained that she is likely to be HIV non-reactive and you are unlikely to have HIV infection.
Dr S Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ty. What is the difference with hiv 1 and 2 . the girl I had sex with his not my gf. We had sex one time. When I broke out in a rash I had her take two tests. She was offended that I asked her to do it but she did it. In 2 seperat days Aug 3 and 4th. I have had a rash, now I have tender nodes in armpits , a tiny swelling in my neck and I had a lesion appear on my penis but I do have herpes 2 and the Er doctor said that if in java had intense anxiety could be the reason for it. I had a panic attack in school because I feel this woman have me something. But ty doctor. Your time is valued and appreciated. Can anxiety cause swollen lymph nodes in different parts of the body. Could the flagyl have killed of my good bacteria and now I am swollen. My dermatologist told me my primary doctor should not have prescribed me flagyl for a yeast infection.
Brief Answer:
Your symptoms are unlikely to be due to HIV
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
HIV is caused by HIV 1 and 2. HIV 1 infection is the most commonest.
Two consecutive recent negative Ora quick tests assured that your sex partner is unlikely to have HIV infection. So your symptoms are unlikely to be due to HIV.
Swelling of lymph nodes would not have been noticed earlier by you. It would be unlikely to be due to HIV and unlikely to be due to anxiety.
Dr S Murugan
Your symptoms are unlikely to be due to HIV
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
HIV is caused by HIV 1 and 2. HIV 1 infection is the most commonest.
Two consecutive recent negative Ora quick tests assured that your sex partner is unlikely to have HIV infection. So your symptoms are unlikely to be due to HIV.
Swelling of lymph nodes would not have been noticed earlier by you. It would be unlikely to be due to HIV and unlikely to be due to anxiety.
Dr S Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
The female I had sex with is from Brazil. So I could be having symptoms of hiv 2? 4Th gen testing p24 can't pick up hiv 2 until 6 weeks?
Brief Answer:
HIV 2 can not be detected by P24 antigen of 4th generation HIV test
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Countries other than certain central XXXXXXX countries, the HIV 2 prevalence is less than 0.5% including Brazil.
P24 antigen part of 4th generation DUO test can detect only HIV 1 antigen and never HIV 2 at any point of time. Antibody part of the 4th generation test becomes positive only after the window period. That can detect HIV 2 infection.
Dr S Murugan
HIV 2 can not be detected by P24 antigen of 4th generation HIV test
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Countries other than certain central XXXXXXX countries, the HIV 2 prevalence is less than 0.5% including Brazil.
P24 antigen part of 4th generation DUO test can detect only HIV 1 antigen and never HIV 2 at any point of time. Antibody part of the 4th generation test becomes positive only after the window period. That can detect HIV 2 infection.
Dr S Murugan
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Ty. Doc, am scared. What could I have. I have traveling pain. Discomfort in my neck, armpits and groin. Am scared. My anxiety is through the roof. I don't mean to be a pain , but the rash, then my lymph nodes being tender, right after the rash left. Could it be the flagyl doing this to me. I stopped at 4 days when the rash appeared . what can be going on with me. All my blood work came back fine. Should I go back to the Er. Ty again for your time and patience with me.
Brief Answer:
Metrogyl can not be a cause for lymph node swelling.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Skin rashes could be due to so many possibilities from viral fever, various allergies to many other skin conditions. Metrogyl can also cause allergic rashes. A Dermatologist can only be able to diagnose the cause of the skin rashes. Lymph node swelling cannot occur with Metrogyl tablets. Your physician can guide you better. Follow his /her guidance.
Dr S Murugan.
Metrogyl can not be a cause for lymph node swelling.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Skin rashes could be due to so many possibilities from viral fever, various allergies to many other skin conditions. Metrogyl can also cause allergic rashes. A Dermatologist can only be able to diagnose the cause of the skin rashes. Lymph node swelling cannot occur with Metrogyl tablets. Your physician can guide you better. Follow his /her guidance.
Dr S Murugan.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
How does hiv present itself in the beginning. This is my last question. Ty for your time.
Brief Answer:
Early Flu like symptoms can occur within 4-6 weeks after the exposure
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Earliest manifestations of HIV can occur only after 4-6 weeks after the exposure in the presence of an infection. It will occur only with 50-70% of the infected, not with all. It will manifest as a flu like syndrome with fever, sore throat, body pain etc. It is very difficult to suspect HIV at this stage. It is a self limiting process, lasts for 2-3 weeks and subside. Then the individual remain asymptomatic for 5-7 years or even more years.
Dr S Murugan
Early Flu like symptoms can occur within 4-6 weeks after the exposure
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome back.
Earliest manifestations of HIV can occur only after 4-6 weeks after the exposure in the presence of an infection. It will occur only with 50-70% of the infected, not with all. It will manifest as a flu like syndrome with fever, sore throat, body pain etc. It is very difficult to suspect HIV at this stage. It is a self limiting process, lasts for 2-3 weeks and subside. Then the individual remain asymptomatic for 5-7 years or even more years.
Dr S Murugan
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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