My HIV tests are negative, but I have lymphadenopathy. Should I be concerned?

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) testing should be done at the sixth week and then three months after unprotected sexual exposure. You had done many different method investigations for HIV, and you have also done ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) testing for HIV after three months of exposure as well. So you do not need to worry. There is no need to repeat HIV testing. In your CBC (complete blood count) report (attachments removed to protect the patient's identity), neutrophil count high. So enlarged nodes could be due to infection. If enlarged nodes persist after an antibiotic course, then FNAC (fine needle aspiration cytology) of the enlarged lymph node can be done for further workup. I hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Best regards.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

FNAC will not rule out HIV. So you do not need to worry about HIV. FNAC of lymph node will be helpful to rule out the nature of the lesion, whether it is an infective lymph node or some other cause. There many causes of enlarged lymph nodes like infective Rosai-Dorfman disease, lymphoma, reactive enlarged nodes, etc. So FNAC or biopsy of enlarged lymph node will be useful to diagnose and decide the further management of enlarged lymph node. I hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further. Best regards.

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

You have done many tests for HIV, including the confirmatory western blot as well. Western blot rules out HIV conclusively. So, if you do not have further exposure, then do not worry about HIV. If your FNAC report suggests reactive node enlarged, then it does not mean due to HIV. Some ongoing inflammation could be possible for node enlargement. Kindly attach your FNAC report and USG (ultrasonography) of the neck report so that I can check and further comment. Meanwhile, do not worry about HIV. Your HIV test is negative as per history and our previous conversation. I hope I have answered your questions. Let me know if I can assist you further. Best regards.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Following is my opinion for your asked question.

Your HIV Duo and Western blot negative after 6 month. So it rules out HIV exclusively. Now do not worry about HIV. Any test can effectively exclude HIV maximum after three months of exposure.

I hope I have answered your question. Let me know if I can assist you further.

Best regards.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Following is my further opinion on your case.

I have seen attached reports (attachment removed to protect the patient's identity).

Your all HIV test is negative.

Additionally, ELISA (enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) HIV test detects both HIV 1 & 2.

So, you can consider your tests reliable to exclude HIV.

You are not a late sero conversation patient.

HIV can be ruled out effectively, maximum after three months of exposure.

So, do not worry about HIV if you do not have any other risk exposure after that day.

For an enlarged node in the neck area, investigate further with FNAC to rule out the cause of elevated node like inflammatory or infection, etc.

I hope your concern is solved.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Best regards.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Following is my opinion on your asked questions.

The USG test cannot rule out HIV. You have already done many tests in the past for HIV.

So, it does not seem to be HIV.

In the USG report, submandibular gland inflammation is present. It could be by a viral infection temporarily.

Your both side lymph nodes enlarged, for which FNAC investigation can be done as suggested in my previous answer for further workup.

I hope I have answered your asked questions.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Best regards.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Following is my opinion on your asked questions.

No, I have not heard or seen a patient positive for HIV after six months of exposure.

High IgG titer for CMV could be due to past infection with CMV virus. It does not rule out recent infections. To rule out recent CMV infection, investigate with IgM for CMV or molecular testing.

For lymphadenitis in the neck, you can be prescribed antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs. I suggest you visit an Otorhinolaryngologist for your physical examination, FNAC investigation, and for getting a prescription.

Ulcer in the mouth and burning mouth all could be due to vitamin B12 deficiency. I suggest you take Mbson Sl (Methylcobalamin) or Becosule like Multivitamin tablet for that. You can visit an otorhinolaryngologist, and the doctor will give you a prescription.

As per our previous discussion, your HIV report was negative after six months of exposure. So do not worry about HIV.

I hope I have answered all your questions.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Best regards.

Hello,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Following is my further opinion for your asked question.

The enlarged node could be reactive due to inflammation or infection. However, an enlarged node does not mean it is HIV. You can investigate further with biopsy or FNAC investigation of the enlarged node to rule out the exact cause of that. It would help if you visited a nearby surgeon for examination and further investigation of the enlarged node.

I hope this will help you.

Let me know if you have more questions in mind.

Regards.