i know swollen lymoh nodes is one id the most first common sysptoms, how big is comsidered swollen? and are they always painful when swollen? also, do the throat, armpit and groin always become inlarged together in cases of infection?? thank you so much.

Swollen lymph nodes is symptomatic for a wide variety of infections. It's what the lymph system does - filters out infections. So, when you are thinking HIV, swollen lymph nodes is not the direction to go. YOu could be dealing with anything from a tooth ache, the flu, a splinter or cancer.

Anyway, it not necessary true that one lymph node will lead with to a variety of other nodes being swollen. "Swollen" means enlarged or "bigger than normal". Note: you are unable to detect a lymph node unless it is swollen. chris

Swollen lymph nodes is symptomatic for a wide variety of infections. It's what the lymph system does - filters out infections. So, when you are thinking HIV, swollen lymph nodes is not the direction to go. YOu could be dealing with anything from a tooth ache, the flu, a splinter or cancer.

Anyway, it not necessary true that one lymph node will lead with to a variety of other nodes being swollen. "Swollen" means enlarged or "bigger than normal". Note: you are unable to detect a lymph node unless it is swollen. chris
of course i understand all that, i think i may have had an exposure when i got my last tattoo in november, no particular reason for my thinking, im a little paranid and been extreemly tiered lately as well so leads me to be kinda scared. also, u can detect lymp nodes when they are not enlarged (most are pea/bean size or smaller). u can normally feel the ones in ur neck and on each side of the groin.

Swollen lymph nodes is symptomatic for a wide variety of infections. It's what the lymph system does - filters out infections. So, when you are thinking HIV, swollen lymph nodes is not the direction to go. YOu could be dealing with anything from a tooth ache, the flu, a splinter or cancer.

Anyway, it not necessary true that one lymph node will lead with to a variety of other nodes being swollen. "Swollen" means enlarged or "bigger than normal". Note: you are unable to detect a lymph node unless it is swollen. chris
of course i understand all that, i think i may have had an exposure when i got my last tattoo in november, no particular reason for my thinking, im a little paranid and been extreemly tiered lately as well so leads me to be kinda scared. also, u can detect lymp nodes when they are not enlarged (most are pea/bean size or smaller). u can normally feel the ones in ur neck and on each side of the groin.

I'm sorry. Then, what was the question?

what i meant to ask is do all the lymph nodes usually swell up together, or in just one location?

IT depends upon the location of the infection. For example, an abscess tooth may cause lymph nodes to swell in the neck and jaw, but not necessarily in the groin or arm pits (axilla). chris

With an infection like hiv you can expect that swollen lympth nodes would occur in more than one place, usually neck, arm pit and groin. And if your sat ther proding away at all these areas, i can garauntee that by the morning or next couple of hours they will become swollen and sore, due to them being sensitive. Only a doctor can diagnose swollen lympth nodes, so dont try doing it yourself.

And if your concerned about contracting HIV from obtaining a tatoo, you need to open your eyes and realise the chances are extremely low, i bet your tatoo was obtained either in the US or UK, the rates of contractin hiv in these countries from a tatoo are slim to nil.

So my advice is, take an early night, catch up on sleep an forget about HIV, sorry to be harsh, but some people just need it.

P.

The above post is true;) .
I have always suffered swollen lymph nodes; armpit, groin and even jaw for as long as i can remember and that was not how i discovered that i was positive; it was, as so many people will tell you, through a routine test at my local GU clinic.
To me you sound quite rediculous, i had no symptoms, just wanted to get checked; if you really are that concerned get yourself tested and abstain from unsafe sex. Worry after you get called in. Peace.:)