Question
Why my lymph nodes are still enlarged?
5 March 2008. Related: All topics.
Hi, i am HIV-positive person. I have no symptoms, but my lymph nodes are still enlarged, what is the problem with it?
Answer
There is no problem with it. It is often an effect of HIV-infection itself. In many cases when people start therapy the enlarged lymph nodes disappear as a result of the supression of the virus. From your message, I cannot understand whether you are on therapy or not, but if you are not, most probably when you start taking ARVs everything will get normal.
Having said that though, in rare cases the lymph nodes stay enlarged constantly, regardless of whether the person takes medications or not. Some researchers explain this with the fact that the lymph nodes are so called ‘sanctuary places’ where the virus can stay dormant for a long time before getting activated, or where the medications cannot reach.
Another reason could be that you are having another underlying infection that may additionally activate your immune system and as a result of that the lymph nodes are enlarged. In any case, that situation, even if unpleasant, should not worry you too much.
Hi Leroy, it is great that your viral load has been ‘less than 20’. No it is not possible that you have been reinfected.
As you have been on treatment since 2020, your medication will work similar to PrEP to prevent further reinfection. This is called Treatment as Prevention (TasP).
TasP: https://i-base.info/guides/starting/treatment-as-prevention-tasp
This means that HIV is not the cause of your current symptoms.
Hello…
I’ve been HIV +ve since 2020 and started medications immediately and I have been doing my regular Viral load tests every year…and it shows “less than 20 copies”.
But January of this year, I had unprotected sex with someone and few weeks later, I started having mild symptoms like migraines, slightly elevated heart rates (especially when I do something strainous) , joint aches, muscle pains, metallic tastes in my mouth and scalloped tongue (tongue with rough sides). I treated Malaria, but the symptoms still persist.
I did a kidney function test and it showed every thing was okay except for slight decrease in my Potassium and Bicarbonate levels, so I was giving multivitamins and potassium supplements for a 2 weeks. I finished the potassium supplements, but still felt the symptoms.
So I went and did a Urinalysis and they found a UTI and I was just given a single injection of antibiotics and given to tablets of another antibiotic. It’s been two days since, and the symptom still persists. Just very mild symptoms I can manage. I’m strong…but I’m still worried.
My question is, Is it possible that I have been reinfected with another strain of HIV from the guy I slept with in January? Please I need help before it’s too late. What do I do??
Hi Portia, have you been having regular viral load and CD4 count tests? Testing will inform you if your medication is working. After 6 months it would be expected for your viral load to be suppressed/undetectable. Enlarged lymph nodes are very common. Most commonly they are caused by an infection, HIV being only one infection that can cause this. Do you have any other symptoms that suggest you have an infection? If they continue to be enlarged you should contact your doctor for them to be examined.
Hi
I ws diagnosed with HIV in March and started treatment. At the time, the lymph node on the left side of my neck was slightly visible and the one of my right was detectable by touch. After 6 months or so, they had reduced in size. But now, in November, I feel like they are slightly bigger than they were in October. Should I be worried or should I continue treatment and monitor them?
Hi Desmond, do you know your CD4 count and viral load? have you had your lymph nodes examined by a doctor? and have they changed in anyway in the past year?
I’m on arvs but my lymph nodes still not normal on my neck it’s almost a year now why