HIV is a viral infection that affects the immune system. Swollen lymph nodes often occur when the body launches an immune attack on pathogens, such as a virus, to prevent an infection.
A lymph node is swollen if it measures about half an inch wide, and the cause is usually an infection.
Swollen lymph nodes can be an early symptom of HIV, and they can also occur in the later stages due to an opportunistic infection.
Antiretroviral therapy is medication that can slow or stop the progression of HIV and keep the immune system strong enough to fight off infections. This reduces or eliminates any complications related to HIV and helps ensure that the person can live a long and healthy life.
This article looks at the link between swollen lymph nodes and HIV, as well as treatments and outlooks for people with the condition.
A lymph node is a small, bean-shaped mass of tissue. These nodes are part of the lymphatic system, which helps the body fight infections.
There are about 600 lymph nodes throughout the body. Some are in deep tissues, and others are in clusters close to the skin’s surface.
Swollen lymph nodes are a sign that the body is fighting off an infection. They feel like tender, painful lumps, and a person may notice them in:
- both sides of the neck
- underneath the chin
- the armpits
- the groin
Swollen lymph nodes can be an early symptom of an HIV infection.
When the body first senses the virus and combats it, the person may experience flu-like symptoms, or what doctors call seroconversion illness. The person may also be able to feel swollen lymph nodes throughout the areas listed above.
The flu-like symptoms usually appear within
Specific symptoms include:
- a fever
- fatigue
- a rash
- muscle aches
- night sweats
- a sore throat
- swollen lymph nodes in the throat, groin, or armpits
- sores or ulcers around the mouth or genitals
- nausea, with or without vomiting
Not everybody experiences these types of symptoms, however.
HIV enters white blood cells called CD4 cells and damages or destroys them. If the person does not receive effective treatment, the damage continues until the immune system is too weak to fight off infections.
If the number of CD4 cells drops below
A person with stage 3 HIV may develop various infections and illnesses due to damage to the immune system. These infections can lead to swollen lymph nodes.
In some people, swollen or large lymph nodes are among the first signs of a stage 3 HIV infection, and they may be enlarged for more than 3 months.
Other symptoms that can indicate stage 3 HIV include:
- a fever
- herpes outbreaks that cause severe sores on the mouth or genitals
- a lack of energy
- persistent rashes
- shingles
- short-term memory loss
- weight loss
- pelvic inflammatory disease that does not respond to treatment
Stage 3 HIV may not develop for
Swollen lymph nodes can result from a wide range of infections, and they can represent one symptom of early HIV.
It is impossible to diagnose HIV by its symptoms alone. The only way to be sure involves testing.
Anyone who wants to know their status or who may have recently been exposed to the virus should take a test or contact a healthcare provider for advice.
Find out how to get tested in the United States here.
Healthcare providers can offer preventive medication called post-exposure prophylaxis, or PEP. If a person takes it within
Meanwhile, anyone with swollen lymph should contact a doctor if any of the following occur:
- The nodes are getting bigger.
- They have been swollen for 2 weeks or more.
- They feel hard.
- They do not move when pressed.
- They accompany night sweats or a very high fever and have lasted longer than 3 or 4 days.
- There are no other symptoms of illness.
To diagnose the cause of swollen lymph nodes, a doctor performs a physical exam and asks about symptoms and recent activities.
They may also send off a blood or tissue sample for testing. In some cases, doctors extract a sample of fluid from one of the nodes and test it for bacteria.
For more in-depth information and resources on HIV and AIDS, visit our dedicated hub.
Swollen lymph nodes can result from a range of infections other than HIV, including the following common ones:
- measles
- strep throat
- ear infections
- tooth infections
Less common causes include tuberculosis, syphilis, and toxoplasmosis.
Swollen lymph nodes can also result from cancer, such as leukemia or lymphoma, which is cancer of the immune cells.
Also, if a person does not receive treatment for HIV, they can become more susceptible to other infections and diseases, and these can result in swollen lymph nodes.
In the past, HIV often led to life-threatening complications. However, if a person has access to current treatments, their life expectancy is now
Taking antiretroviral drugs as prescribed can reduce the virus to undetectable levels. When this happens, the virus can no longer damage the immune system or transmit to others.