Hi,

I kissed a girl who I'd met last Thursday night. the kiss was brief, and not overly intense but did involve tongues.

I was quite drunk, and had at the time, either an ulcer or cut in my cheek from biting it.

We'd discussed stories about tattoo's and I remember her telling me about one of hers that went septic...

Today I've realised I've a very painful swollen gland in my jaw.

I did have 4 dental implants (the four front teeth of my top set) on Monday but my dentist has informed me this won't be to blame for the gland as the glands under the jaw drain from the bottom teeth, not the top.

He also put me on antibiotics which I'm still taking prior to the procedure to rule out any infection, and I'm taking anti-virals as I get cold sores and he wanted to avoid an outbreak.

The gland, is for now single and painful.

I have no way of contacting the girl as we didn't swap details, and I do remember her skin was also quite red, although she was quite pale and i think her hair was died back so perhaps this is normal for someone who was maybe ginger?

I'm worried about HIV. I've read about swollen glands being a symptom and am worried this is whats presenting. Are they painful when they present in HIV? Do they present in this manor?

I appreciate your help.

Thank you.

[Dr Sean]

Hello

I do not think you have been exposed to HIV or aquired it.

Your dentist is correct to say that specific lymph nodes drain particular areas and relate to infections in particular places. However, it is not an exact science and it certainly is possible to develop nodes in the general vicinity of an infection, especially if it is significant as this seems to be. They don't usually behave as the textbooks would have us believe.

That said, I don't believe at all that you would have acquired HIV from this lady, even if she had it, which I also doubt.

best wishes, Sean

Thank you,

I've woken up with more painful glands, this time on the left side of my jaw.

I've read that swollen glands in ARS aren't painful or tender, am I right to believe that?

Could the glands be swollen purely from the trauma and invasive surgery?

I have no reason to believe she had anything wrong with her, and it was purely a kiss, i'm just winding myself up having googled symptoms...

Thank you for your time once more

[Dr Sean]

Hello

I have answered this question already.

We can go around and around and around but I simply do not "buy" your perceived risk.

There was never a risk so however enthusiastic you are for this to be HIV I do not accept any of it.

I haven't seen you or felt your lymph nodes - but the situation you have described is an impossible one in terms of HIV transfer.

Best wishes, Sean