Swollen lymph nodes and HIV
To understand this symptom, you must first identify the lymph nodes. Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped structures.
MedlinePlus, the US National Library of Medicine Information Service, states that the lymph nodes “are an important part of the immune system. Help your body recognize and fight germs, infections, and other foreign substances.“.
Lymph nodes are located throughout the body. In total, there are about 600 lymph nodes, some of them are located in deep tissues, while others are in groups at the surface of the skin, the specialized site Medical News Today (MNT) details.
Now that the lymph nodes are swollen, this is a sign that the body is attacking an infection, such as HIV.
“Swollen lymph nodes May be an early symptom of HIV infection“, – reports MNT.
If the lymph nodes are swollen, they may feel like tender and painful lumps. They can be located on the sides of the neck, under the chin, in the armpits and in the groin.
When to see a doctor?
Swollen lymph nodes can be a warning sign of other infections, not necessarily HIV, such as measles, strep throat, ear and tooth infections.
For this reason, the MNT states that, anyone with swollen lymph nodes should see a doctorespecially if: the nodes are enlarged, swollen for 2 or more weeks, or become hard to the touch.
In addition, if they do not move when pressed, they are accompanied by night sweats or a very high temperature and last longer than 3-4 days.
HIV symptoms
Now, in addition to swollen lymph nodes, early flu-like symptoms of HIV can include:
- low temperature
- Headache
- Sore throat
- Joint pain
- Pain in the muscles
- mouth ulcers
- Ulcers on the genitals
- Diarrhea
- Fatigue
- night sweats
In any case, keep in mind that the presence of these symptoms is not a guarantee that a person has HIV, rather, the only way to confirm the diagnosis is to take an HIV test.
For this reason, experts recommend getting tested or seeing a doctor if you suspect HIV from your symptoms or may be exposed to the virus.
AIDS symptoms
As for the symptoms of AIDS, that is, when HIV has reached the 3rd stage, they may include:
- Heat
- persistent cough
- shaking chills
- night sweats
- Weight loss
- eruptions
- respiratory distress
- Ulcers on the genitals
- Fatigue
- Memory problems
- Pneumonia
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