Expert: Gorkey Gourab - 12/30/2008

Question
alittle over two years ago i had protected sex with a sexworker in amsterdam, it was about a min , i didnt cum. and i wasnt very hard either. a few months later i meant my fiance, and all we did was deep toungue kiss and make out there may have been some blood present because i flossed before our date. a few weeks after that she noticed a lymph node along her jaw that was swollen and painful. I immediatly thought i got HIV from the sexworker and passed it on to her.Here is the timeline of when i got tested from the potential exposure from the sexworker.
2 months- negative    elisa
3 months- negative    rapid test hiv1/2
4 months- negative    rapid test
6 months- negative    elisa
9 months- negative    rapid
12 months- negative   oral hiv test

i finnaly stopped worrying about it until i went to the doctor becuase i needed to get an MRI on my shoulder and coincidentally they found two swollend lymph nodes or bumps along my neck. you cant feel them or see them , they are only visible on a MRI or catscan. I imediatly though HIV.  
24 months- negative   elisa
27 months- negative  hiv1/2/ and type 0

My fiances lymph node under her chin has also been coming and going. I dont know what to think anymore.  She got tested as well, 4 months after we first met and a year since it first appeared. Both negative.

I Have been beside myself for a very long time and dont know what to think. The doctor said my lymph nodes could be cancerous? could hiv cause cancer? are stationary lymph nodes deep in your neck HIV indicative?

and my fiances lymph node, is that indicative to HIV? she only has one.  

can i trust all my negative test results? what are the chances of them being wrong? mine and hers? and us both actually being positive?

what are the chances of testing negative but actually being positive on repeated negative tests out to 27 months?

thank you so much for reading and i really would appreciate a relpy?  

Answer
Dear Weston,

Thanks for your question. I'm just presenting you the following facts:

1. You surely can believe the test results.
2. Cancer may be caused to those who are affected by AIDS.
3. Did you tested for other STIs? For example syphilis causes swollen or painful lymph.
4. I would request you for being tested for other diseases as prescribed by doctor.

Each lymph node is also an important part of your immune system. Your lymph node filters fluids, catching viruses, bacteria, and other unknown materials. Then your unique white blood cells destroy the unwanted materials. Normally, a healthy lymph node is not sensitive or sore to touch.

In the meantime, you can lace a heating pad (on low) or a warm towel on your painful lymph node may reduce the soreness. It may have negative effects so use with caution.

Best regards.