HIV symptom: swollen lymph nodes

• Swollen lymph nodes can be one of the early signs of an HIV infection. 
• Swollen lymph nodes due to HIV can be found in the armpit, the neck, or the groin. Other lymph nodes can be affected as well. 
• Lymph nodes can appear swollen due to the infection with HIV itself. In a later stage, HIV can compromise the immune system, leading to opportunistic infections. These infections can also cause swollen lymph nodes. 

HIV swollen lymph nodes are an essential characteristic that can help with early HIV detection, as the enlargement of lymph nodes due to HIV is the result of the immune system reacting to the virus. As swollen lymph nodes can be caused by several reasons apart from an infection with HIV, it's important to know how HIV affects the lymphatic system. In this article, you can find more information about how HIV affects the lymph nodes, the characteristics of lymph nodes affected by HIV, and when you should see your doctor. 

Lymph nodes form an important part of the immune system, and can be found throughout the body. However, they’re clustered together in a few places, such as the groin, the axilla, the neck, the chest, and the abdomen. The lymph nodes contain white blood cells, which play a vital role in protecting the body against infection and illnesses. 1

When your immune system actively fights a disease or an infection with a virus or a bacteria, the lymph nodes can swell. This swelling of the lymph nodes is also referred to as lymphadenopathy. An infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) can be a possible cause for swollen lymph nodes. If you’ve been infected with HIV, then you can develop swollen lymph nodes in the early stage of the infection as a reaction to the body fighting the virus. You can also notice swollen lymph nodes in the late stage of an HIV infection, as a result of opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis or toxoplasmosis. These opportunistic infections occur more often or are more severe in people with weakened immune systems than in healthy ones. 2 3

HIV and swollen lymph nodes are closely connected, but there are many other possible causes of swollen lymph nodes, such as: 4

• Common illnesses such as the common cold, tonsillitis 
• Other viral or bacterial infections
• Certain cancers
• Sexually transmitted illness 

There are many possible reasons for swollen lymph nodes, so it’s crucial to see your healthcare provider for an accurate diagnosis and treatment. 

HIV lymph nodes can be enlarged. Sometimes, you can feel a single enlarged lymph node, which can feel like a bean underneath the skin. In other instances, you could notice an entire cluster of swollen lymph nodes. Swollen lymph nodes caused by HIV infection are usually painful and tender to touch, although they can also appear without any pain. The swelling of the lymph nodes may be accompanied by redness and warmth. Lymph nodes affected by HIV usually appear swollen for an extended period and may remain that way for a long time. 2

You should consult with your healthcare provider if: 3

• Your lymph nodes have been swollen for over a week
• Your lymph nodes feel hard 
• Your lymph nodes do not move when you press on them
• You're experiencing a fever
• You have no other signs of illness
• You have swollen lymph nodes in the region of your collarbone

HIV swollen lymph nodes can appear throughout the body and are likely to appear more visibly in some specific places. Most often, HIV can cause swollen lymph nodes in the groin, the neck, or the armpits. Other parts of the body can also be affected by the virus. 2 4

The lymph nodes are often seen as a reservoir for the human immunodeficiency virus. Once the virus enters the body, it's picked up and brought to the nearest lymph nodes. The reaction from the immune system that occurs here can lead to the swelling of the lymph nodes, which can be long-lasting due to the hardening of the lymphatic tissue. When starting up antiretroviral therapy (ART), the levels of human immunodeficiency virus can be reduced, which resolves the swelling of the lymph nodes. If left untreated, swollen lymph nodes due to HIV will also resolve on their own after the acute first phase of HIV. This does not mean the virus is no longer present, so you should always seek advice about the cause of your lymph node swelling and get the appropriate treatment. 5

Swollen lymph nodes from HIV usually appear within 3 to 6 days after the initial infection with the virus. In the first stage of HIV, the lymph nodes can remain swollen for some days to several weeks. 4 5

In the late stage of HIV, opportunistic infections can develop. These infections can also cause the lymph nodes to swell. It's essential to take your HIV medication consistently so that your immune system is supported and opportunistic infections are less likely to develop. 

HIV can affect your lymph nodes, causing them to appear swollen both in the early stages of HIV and later on due to opportunistic infections. As swollen lymph nodes are a vital indication of an infection, it's crucial always to get them checked. This is especially true if your lymph nodes have been swollen for over a week. Your healthcare provider can then assess the cause of the swelling and recommend the appropriate treatment. 

Q: Are swollen lymph nodes in the neck due to HIV? 
A: Swollen lymph nodes in the neck can be due to HIV, although they can be caused by several other illnesses as well, such as tonsillitis, tooth infections, measles, the flu, etc. Besides the neck region, early HIV can also cause swollen lymph nodes in the groin and the armpit. 

Q: Do HIV lymph nodes go away? 
A: HIV lymph nodes go away after starting antiretroviral treatment. They also go away on their own after some time, which does not mean the virus is no longer present in the body. HIV should always be treated. 

Q: Are HIV lymph nodes visible? 
A: HIV lymph nodes may be visible in some instances, especially in the neck and armpit region. 

Q: Does HIV cause swollen lymph nodes? 
A: A common HIV symptom is swollen lymph nodes. This can happen in the early stage of the infection. In a later stage, opportunistic infections can develop, which can also cause swollen lymph nodes. 

Q: Which lymph nodes swell with HIV? 
A: Several lymph nodes can swell with HIV. The main regions where lymph nodes swell due to HIV are the axillary region, the groin, and the neck. Any lymph nodes throughout the body can be affected, though. 

Q: How long after HIV infection do lymph nodes swell? 
A: It usually takes 3 to 6 days after exposure to the human immunodeficiency virus for the lymph nodes to swell. This swelling happens as part of the immune system's reaction to the virus. 

Q: At what stage of HIV do you get swollen lymph nodes? 
A: Swollen lymph nodes can be caused by HIV in the first stage as a reaction from the immune system to the virus itself. In a later stage, opportunistic infections can arise as a consequence of poorly managed HIV. These infections can also cause the lymph nodes to swell.