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Symptoms that could be cancer or ARS related I don’t know

I have been reading the body forums and here and saw people with similar symptoms but nothing was clear.

My “exposure” would have been September 25 from a matching tattoo me and significant other got together on ankle.

Technically also we had unprotected sex nov 2nd. I tested nov 15 and was negative but then the weekend after thanksgiving I went to get a check up and doctor said a lymph node was swollen near my ear(ear infection ruled out).

The lymph node swollen lasted 1 week and took antibiotics 3 days when it was already shrinking. I also had knee pains and trouble sleeping. Is this a sign of cancer or are symptoms?


Me and my significant other  usually get tests and always been negative during routine check ups and we don’t have sex with other people. We have been together for years and never had an issue.

Thanks you for your insight. I want to specifically know if these are exposures that cause typical ars timing.  
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3191940 tn?1447268717
COMMUNITY LEADER
The only adult risks for HIV are:
1) having unprotected, penetrative vaginal or anal sex with someone of unknown status, or
2) sharing intravenous drug needles

If you do not do either of those activities, you will NEVER have to worry about HIV.

Since your girlfriend has tested negative and isn't having sex with anyone else, you can rule out HIV.  Not sure why you picked cancer as the only other alternative, as there are myriad mostly minor issues that could cause a swollen lymph node and knee pain.  The fact that antibiotics have reduced your lymph node swelling points to a bacterial infection for that problem.  Knee pain? See an orthopedic doctor.
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Thank you so much for answering so quickly.  I thought cancer too because I searched up swollen lymph node near ear. First ear infection came up but that was ruled out but then cancer(possible tumor) and hiv early ars symptoms came up. Mono came up too and cat scratch fever but never been near a cat or had a fever.
There are literally hundreds of reasons why a single lymph node might swell.  Most often it's due to a subclinical infection. Your lymph node swells in the process of your body eliminating the infection.  A single swollen lymph node that subsides quickly (with or without treatment) is commonplace, and not cause for any alarm.  Anything you Google will lead you to the almost certainly false conclusion that you are seriously ill.
I realize that now. Thank you very much, google is terrible an anxiety inducing because people without insurance can’t afford too many doctor visits. I appreciate your help to me. Bless you
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