Salivary Glands Swelling And Hiv

Firstly, what is your risk of having become infected with hiv? Have you had unprotected sex, or shared a syringe? Are you confirmed as being hiv+ already?


Secondly, no, swollen salivary glands are not an hiv symptom.


Thirdly, could you explain why mentioning that you drink gin is important? I drink often, but I don't relate it to any kind of hiv situation.

Thanks.

Finess150

i had unprotected sex approximately 10 years ago and I have not taken a test for hiv. I mention the alcohol drinking because I thought that could also be a reason for my
salivary gland swelling. When I read that swollen glands is a symptom, I assumed any and all glands including salivary.
Thanks for your response.

Thanks, I can compose a better response now.



Hiv is a virus which attacks the immune system (as i'm sure you realise), and part of the immune system is the network of lymph nodes. You will find these on the side of the neck, in the abdomen and groin, armpits. They attempt to harbour any infection, and when they do, they swell. Salivary glands, and indeed any other glands, are not related to the immune system and do not swell as a result of infection.
I strongly doubt that a few gins of a weekend will cause any medical problem unless consumption is excessive.

Your unprotected episode ten years ago is of little worry, but there are certain things you must consider:

1. Each episode of unprotected sex with a person who is hiv positive carries roughly a 1 to 3% risk of infection (it's a difficult virus to transmit). Since you only had one encounter, the odds are very much in your favour, and even more so if you don't know for certain that they are positive (statistically speaking, it is more likely that they are negative).


2. It is common for people who are hiv+ and do not recieve treatment to have aids related symptoms at 8 to ten years after primary infection. The fact that you haven't should be of some comfort. However, strictly speaking, you had unprotected sex with someone of unknown status and medically speaking, that warrants testing.



Whilst I would suggest that it is highly unlikely that you are hiv+, a test would certainly alleviate your fears. I am confident of a negative result.



Best wishes.

i am terrified!!

exposed myself to HIV infection about 6 weeks ago and 2 scared to get tested.

I had a light case of shingles about 4 weeks back and now have sensitive (not swollen) salivary glands. I have a tooth ache (light) is almost all my moulers. I spread for a tooth I had worked on by a dentest about 7 weeks ago.

Treg64 it sounds like you are infected one of the most common things that happen when you become infected is shingles and problems with your gums as well as flu like symptoms. Please get checked you do not want to spread it to anyone else. Getting educated is key to staying healthy and not spreading it. So sorry but its a manageable disease and you can live a very long a normal life today with it. So do not freak out you will be ok.