HomeAnswersHIV/AIDS specialisthivI have a sore throat and lymph node swelling. Is it HIV?

Why am I having sore throat and swollen lymph node after six months of intercourse?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At July 17, 2018
Reviewed AtFebruary 18, 2024

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I was wondering if any of the symptoms I️ have correspond with any HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) symptoms and if it is likely that I have the disease. I️ am an 18-year-old female and am overall very healthy and active. Six months ago, I was taken advantage of by a male in college whom I️ did not even know. This was my first sexual experience, and I️ have not had any since then, but I️ do not know his sexual background. He did not use a condom, but also did not have enough time to ejaculate inside of me because I️ got away. I️ had absolutely no symptoms until now. One month after the traumatic experience, I️ decided to get an IUD (Intra uterine Device) to protect me from any unwanted or unexpected situation. Three months after the sexual experience, I️ was admitted to the hospital due to gastrointestinal issues. After my release, I️ discovered that I️ tested positive for chlamydia. I️ took the two pills (one dose) that completely cleared my STI (Sexually Transmitted Disease). In the hospital, would they have been able to tell from my blood work if I️ was HIV positive or not? Now three months later, (six months after the initial experience) weird symptoms have begun to show. I️ first had a sore throat, and then only one of my lymph nodes on my left side of my neck slightly started to swell, but not significantly enough to show through the skin. At first, the lymph node was hard, but now i‎t is starting to soften. After, I️ started having nosebleeds. Then, large red bumps started to appear in the back of my tongue, and some on the side of my tongue, but none of them are painful. I️ have no bumps in my throat or roof of the mouth or underneath the tongue, just on the back. I️ have never noticed these bumps before. Around the bumps, there was also some white coating, which was easy to brush off, but when I️ did there was still no bleeding. I️ have no rash, no night sweats, no fever or anything. But from research, i‎t says that these kind of bumps are common for HIV positive people, as well as swollen lymph nodes. I️ also have found small white specks in my stool, but no other parts of my body have been affected but my mouth and throat. The back of my throat is still sore and scratchy, but I️ have no vocal changes. If not HIV, could I‎t be some other STD or viral infection that is serious? Could i‎t be another problem with my gastrointestinal tract? And what can I️ do to get rid of these bumps? It has been less than a week with these symptoms. Should I️ get tested for HIV? I have been very paranoid.

Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com.

Regarding your complaints, I think the following will resolve some of the issues. Regarding a sore throat and lymph node swelling, yes, HIV may present with flu-like complaints along with lymph node swelling but, it will not be restricted to one node. A sore throat may be a seasonal infection because to appear as an upper respiratory infection, it needs a considerable reduction in CD4 cells and an increase in viral count. In your case, you are not having flu-like symptoms as these are common if there is increased viremia. For lymph node, rule out tuberculosis by FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology) as it is only alternate diagnosis apart from local infiltration (abscess). The floor of mouth along with the side of tongue having red swelling is probably a sublingual hematoma but needs to rule out Ludwig. As you have already complained of epistaxis, I would consider it to be a sublingual hematoma. Finally, as you are unknown of sexual activity of the person, it is wise to rule out HIV by RNA (Ribonucleicacid) PCR( Polymerase chain Reaction) test, but before that take a consultation to rule out bleeding disorders. Your URTI (upper respiratory tract infection) can be managed. This URTI (Upper Respiratory Tract Infection) is the cause of probable abscess of an isolated lymph node.

The Probable causes

Bleeding disorders.

Investigations to be done

1.HIV RNA PCR. 2.Vitamin K levels. 3.Bleeding time, clotting time, prothrombin time, APTT (activated partial thromboplastin time). 4.Liver function tests.

Differential diagnosis

1.Ludwig's angina.

2.Sublingual hematoma.

Treatment plan

Vitamin K injection (5).

Regarding follow up

For more information consult a HIV AIDS specialist online.--->https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/HIV-AIDS-specialist

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Kiran Anaparthi
Dr. Kiran Anaparthi

HIV/AIDS specialist

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