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Is this lymph node swelling?
Had a potential hiv exposure on December 8th. Got on PEP medication at 12 hours post exposure ( TDF + Emitracitabine + Dolutegravir ). I have been wisdom teeth pain and white greyish spot near the wisdom teeth. Also it pains sometimes. I have had wisdom teeth pain before aswell. But on 20th day of PEP i noticed this on my neck on the side of wisdom teeth pain. Is this a lymph node swelling ? Is this a hiv symptom? Can someone help me?
Answers (20)
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This sounds more like a dental issue than an HIV symptom, especially since you've had wisdom teeth pain before (suggesting a chronic problem like impaction or pericoronitis — inflammation around partially erupted wisdom teeth).
Common Causes (not HIV-related):
Leukoplakia or irritation: Thick white/grey patches from repeated rubbing, tobacco (if applicable), or poor oral hygiene. Often painless but can hurt if irritated.
Infection or debris: Food particles, plaque, or bacterial buildup in the gum flap around wisdom teeth can cause white spots, pain, and bad breath/taste.
Granulation tissue or healing: If there's any minor trauma/inflammation, white tissue can form as part of healing.
Oral thrush (candida): White patches that can be scraped off; more common in people with weakened immunity, dry mouth, or antibiotic use — but not specific to HIV, and rare in early stages anyway.
HIV Link? Unlikely here. Oral thrush can occur in advanced HIV (not acute), but your description (localized near wisdom teeth, with pre-existing pain) points to dental causes. ARS doesn't typically cause isolated oral spots like this.
Next Steps
See a dentist urgently
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HIV symptoms don't come so fast after exposure. There is always an incubation period.
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Pls get evaluated from nearby doctor
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Without examination no one can say its lymphnode. It may be due to wisdom teeth. Tab cefexim o200 two times after food for five to seven days.
Zerodol sp three times a day after food for five days.
Chymoral forte three times a day after food for 7 days.
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Please consult your Doctor who was giving you PEP for HIV.
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Sounds like infection in your tooth. Do the following,
1. Augumentin 625mg three times a day for a week
2. See dentist
All the best.
J G S R clinic
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Kindly consult a surgeon at your locality
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Hi.
What you are describing is most likely related to your wisdom tooth infection, not HIV.
You started PEP within 12 hours — this is excellent and very protective.
Wisdom tooth pain + white/grey spot suggests local dental infection/inflammation.
Small neck swelling on the same side is very likely a reactive lymph node due to the tooth problem.
HIV symptoms do NOT appear while on PEP, and lymph node swelling from HIV usually occurs weeks after exposure and is generalized, not localized to one side.
Next Steps
Complete the full 28 days of PEP without missing doses.
Consult a dentist for wisdom tooth evaluation.
Do HIV testing as advised
4th-gen HIV test at 6 weeks
Repeat at 3 months for confirmation.
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See a dentist for wisdom tooth evaluation, possibly needing antibiotics or extraction if infected. Follow up with your PEP provider for HIV testing (usually at 4-6 weeks and 3 months) and to rule out drug reactions.Avoid self-diagnosis; prompt care prevents complications.see an ent surgeon for further management.
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Consult me for further advice
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Can be
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Dr. Manoj Kumar
General Physician
10 yrs exp
Dehradun
Need few more details
Kindly consult
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Dr. Gaurav Jaiswal
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhansi
Avoid fried and spicy food
Water intake more
Do connect and consult
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Dr. Ashita Kuruvilla
General Practitioner
8 yrs exp
Kolkata
Please consult a general surgeon for further evaluation
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Dr. Varsha Shaw
General Practitioner
1 yrs exp
West Medinipur
Probably wisdom tooth infection
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Dr. Vetsa Sri Krishna Chaitanya
General Physician
7 yrs exp
Rajahmundry
Need a few more details please consult for further evaluation and treatment
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Dr. Sohan Kulria
General Physician
5 yrs exp
Firozabad
If you want to discuss your problem in more detail, feel free to message me on WhatsApp at nine one one nine two five five six nine nine for a free detailed discussion*
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Dr. Anuj Mothsra
General Physician
6 yrs exp
Jhunjhunu
Can help you, kindly consult and provide detailed history for proper diagnosis and further management
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