What Causes Swollen Lymph Nodes In Armpits Despite Having Negative Multiple HIV Tests?

Posted on Sat, 7 Mar 2015

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

Sat, 7 Mar 2015 Answered on

Fri, 27 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi Doctor. In XXXXXXX 2014 i had protected sex with a girl and she was on her period. I didnt really know her and i started thinking that she might have been a prostitute. About 3 months later i started getting sick and i have been sick for almost 5 months now. My symptoms are: i constantly feel kind of hot, my tongue which is usually red is kind of white and yelloish, I had stomach problems on and off, i have swollen lymph nodes in my armpit, and i feel like my penis is pointing to the left. I also have the constant feeling that my ears are clogged. I did 4 HIV tests 3 months after that exposure and also another 6 months after the exposure and all came back negative. I wanted to ask if you think my results are conclusive and if you had any idea of what i could have right now. I am a 21 years old male.

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (12 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
HIV negative. Allay fears of HIV.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for query. I am Dr Bharatesh D Basti answering your query.
Welcome to health care magic.
I have gone through the details and can make out your anxiety.
If the tests for HIV are repeatedly negative especially after 3 and 6 months, it is conclusive. You are free from HIV.You can allay fears of HIV.

The symptoms are non specific and are not related to HIV.
It may be due to anxiety or stress.
You please relax.Do yoga, Meditation, exercises .
Get involved in activities you like.
You can take ranitidine, chewable antacids or syrups.
You can get back for any clarification.
Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti
Dermatologist and venerologist

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (8 hours later)

Thank you very much for your help, i just wanted to make sure that my results were negative for good. Okay i will take the medicine that you required me to take but do you think that anxiety and stress could affect me for that long and cause all those symptoms?

Answered by Dr. Bharatesh Devendra Basti (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Stress or anxiety may cause such symptoms.

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thank you for follow up query.
It maybe due to anxiety. Follow the measures suggested .Hope for the best.
Wish you good health.
You can get back for any clarification.

Thank you
Dr Bharatesh D Basti

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar