Question

Swollen glands two months after potential exposure

9 October 2010. Related: HIV transmission.

I am worried, I think i might have HIV.

I am a 27 yr old male who had a single incident unprotected sex about 2 months ago. I have not fallen sick within the last 5 years but suddenly i developed a mild sore throat last week with swollen glands under my jaw.

The glands have since reduced but are now small and hard about 2 cm at the angle where the head meets the neck. I have also been feeling a bit fatigued lately and felt a bot of random twitching of my muscles, which reduced when i stopped drinking coffee.

I am worried and do not know what to do. Could I be HIV +ve??

Answer

Answer: Simon Collins

Thanks for your question.

This doesn’t sound like HIV as swollen glands only occur during seroconversion which is usually after 1-2 weeks.

The only way to know your status for certain is to take an HIV test, and 4th generation tests can be used 4 weeks after any exposure.

PS – If you could spare a couple of minutes to answer anonymously a few questions about this information service at the following link, it would really help us see the service is used:
https://i-base.info/feedback/