How long does it take for lymph nodes to enlarge with HIV? Enlarged lymph nodes in hiv

In about half of cases, HIV goes unnoticed for several years. One of the first alarming symptoms is an increase in the nodes of the lymphatic system. But since such a sign may indicate a number of other diseases, it is not possible to determine HIV immediately. Lymph nodes with HIV do not just increase in size, an inflammatory process begins, during which antibodies are actively produced, and the virus spreads in the patient's body.

Lymph nodes are natural barriers that protect the body from various infections.

HIV infection does not immediately show its effect on the lymphatic system. Despite the fact that the lymph nodes are affected in the first place, visible signs of pathology appear only after a few months. The duration of the latent course of the disease depends on how strong the human immune system is, how long it can suppress the effect of the virus on T-lymphocytes.

Causes of pathology: the effect of HIV on the lymph nodes

The lymphatic system in the human body is represented by multiple vessels and nodes that provide blood purification from toxins, foreign bodies, and infectious agents. Through the vascular system, all the “garbage” is collected, and then moved to the lymph nodes. The cells of the immune system are already working here and destroying all pathogens.

When the immunodeficiency virus enters the body, the viral load spreads to all structural elements of the lymphatic system. An increase in the lymph nodes of all groups with HIV infection is called “generalized lymphadenopathy”.

If, against the background of an increase, an inflammatory process begins in the lymph nodes, such a reaction is called lymphadenitis.

Many are interested in whether the lymph nodes hurt with HIV? Acute or chronic lymphadenitis is accompanied by pain, as in other diseases.

The active development of lymphadenopathy also occurs because with HIV, the lymph nodes accumulate a large number of altered cells in their cavity. The immunodeficiency virus attacks the lymphocytes and they mutate into atypical, malignant cells. Thus, the development of tumor processes in the nodes, which is called lymphoma.

With lymphadenopathy, the nodes do not turn red and do not hurt on palpation. If we talk about lymphadenitis, then redness and pain will be present, caused by an inflammatory reaction.

Symptoms

In some cases, the lymph nodes with HIV are enlarged so slightly that they are not visually noticeable; they do not interfere with the patient and do not manifest themselves in any way. In such a situation, only the method of palpation will reveal deviations from the norm. In some cases, lymphadenopathy is detected only on ultrasound.

With significant inflammation, it is necessary to examine the lymph nodes using ultrasound

Consider which lymph nodes increase with HIV infection. In the initial stages of the development of the disease, nodes of such groups are most often affected:

occipital and behind the auricles;
submandibular and down the neck;
near the collarbones;
in the elbow area.

Lymphadenopathy in HIV in these areas is expressed by compaction, and sometimes by reddening of the nodes and pain when pressed. Lymphatic bumps can increase over time and reach 2 cm in diameter.

Slightly enlarged nodes are considered an asymptomatic manifestation of HIV infection. In this state, they can be about 10 years old, and it is difficult to detect them. This clinical picture is typical for half of patients with HIV.

In some patients, the situation is reversed. Acute symptoms of lymphadenopathy appear already a month after the immunodeficiency virus enters the body. Lymph nodes noticeably swell, pain appears. In addition, the patient suffers from chills, vomiting, diarrhea, aching joints, fever. This condition accompanies the patient for about a month, and then subsides.

If the patient's health only worsens, this may indicate the onset of AIDS.

As a rule, with HIV infection, the lymph nodes of the upper body swell, and the lymphadenopathy spreads from top to bottom. If the infection occurred sexually, the inguinal nodes react first, then the femoral, knee, etc. (the defeat of lymphoid formations goes from bottom to top).

And only in HIV-infected women after childbirth, persistent generalized lymphadenopathy (simultaneous enlargement of the lymph nodes of all groups) can occur. This is especially pronounced if there is a herpes virus in the woman's body.

At the stage of AIDS, inflamed lymph nodes increase many times over; they can merge within the same group without becoming soldered to the surrounding tissues.

Please note: a single inflammation or swollen lymph nodes does not indicate HIV infection, but may be a symptom of other dangerous diseases. Therefore, diagnosis at the first sign of lymphadenopathy is required.

Complications

Among the complications of lymphadenopathy in HIV, one should be singled out, the most life-threatening - the defeat of the lymphatic system by malignant lymphoma. This is a complex pathological process during which one or more tumors are formed. A third of patients with HIV are diagnosed with cancer of the lymphatic system. If HIV infection has passed into the stage of AIDS, then lymphoma is usually characterized by a very aggressive clinical picture.

A very high temperature and feeling unwell indicates too rapid development of the disease.

The patient complains of a sharp deterioration in his condition, increased sweating, general weakness, the temperature rises above 38°C. Weight loss becomes noticeable: more than 10-15% of the total body weight in 6 months. X-ray examination reveals a significant increase in the liver and spleen.

Lymphoma in HIV can develop not only in the lymph nodes, but also in the brain, which is manifested by constant annoying pain in the head, which does not subside after taking traditional analgesics. When multiple pathological processes in the body affect the central nervous system, the patient suffers from regular epileptic seizures.

Another complication is with HIV. Through the lungs, the pathogen affects the lymph and the entire system, and in the initial stage, tuberculosis is very similar to lymphadenopathy of any other etiology. Pain and redness in the nodes are absent, and the nodes themselves increase slightly. With the development of tuberculosis, the lymph nodes become inflamed and suppurate. In some cases, purulent fistulas are formed.

Diagnosis of lymphadenopathy in HIV

Very often, the patient seeks specialized help only months after the onset of lymphadenopathy. Diagnosis is complicated by the fact that doctors begin to look for other diseases in which the nodes also increase, and the HIV test is postponed until the last.

If no qualitative changes occur during the treatment - the lymph nodes do not change, and the symptoms only worsen, then an AIDS test should be urgently taken.

An experienced immunologist first of all collects an anamnesis from the patient. You need to find out the following points:

whether the patient had unprotected sex;
whether there was a blood transfusion;
whether the patient underwent the procedure of artificial insemination;
cases of surgery in recent years.

Then the doctor palpates the areas where the lymph nodes are located.

But the most important method of diagnosis are laboratory tests. The patient will have to donate blood and be tested for HIV. If the first result was positive, then a second similar analysis is assigned. When, upon receipt of the second result, the test shows the presence of antibodies to the immunodeficiency virus, the diagnosis is finally confirmed.

To establish the stage of HIV and determine the condition of the lymph nodes that have become inflamed, additional diagnostics are prescribed: MRI, CT, X-ray. In this case, diagnostic methods are chosen by the doctor, taking into account the clinical picture.

Treatment of the disease

In the early stages of inflammation of the lymph nodes, drug treatment is enough to increase immunity.

If the cause of lymphadenopathy is HIV, then it makes no sense to treat the lymph nodes. An infection caused by the immunodeficiency virus is being treated. Modern medicine offers three directions:

antiretroviral therapy;
restoration and strengthening of immunity;
symptomatic therapy.

If the immune system is very strongly suppressed, then various concomitant diseases occur. Their treatment is carried out according to standard methods.

Antiretroviral therapy

This method is the main one in the fight against HIV infection and can also eliminate lymphadenopathy. The following groups of drugs are used:

nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (Zidovudine, Lamivudine, etc.);
non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (Nevirapine, Delavirdine, etc.);
protease inhibitors (Atazanavir, Amprenavir, etc.).

It should be recognized that no drug can cure HIV infection. Medicines of these groups can reduce the rate of reproduction and spread of virus cells in the body. This, in turn, has a positive effect on the general condition and well-being of the patient.

Drug therapy in this case has its positive and negative sides. Among the advantages should be highlighted:

prolongation of life, improvement of its quality;
stable state of health of the patient without pronounced symptoms of the disease;
reducing the risk of developing secondary diseases;
reducing the risk of transmission of infection.

Disadvantages of medical ART therapy:

the need to constantly take medication;
drugs are very toxic, which increases the risk of side effects;
less toxic analogues are overpriced;
due to the development of drug resistance in the virus, drugs must be changed regularly.

Immunity Boost

It is necessary to lead a proper lifestyle and take vitamin complexes to increase immunity.

The second mandatory point is to strengthen the immune forces of the body. Therapy of the lymph nodes themselves is prescribed depending on where the lymph nodes become inflamed with HIV. This is done by the following methods:

taking immunomodulating agents;
normalization of lifestyle (refusal of alcohol, smoking, bad habits);
compiling a complete diet;
daily moderate exercise;
regular walks;
taking vitamins and mineral complexes;
the use of traditional medicine techniques (herbal decoctions, infusions).

Enlargement and inflammation of the lymph nodes in HIV can be treated locally (with ointments) or through surgery. The latter option is possible only in extreme cases, when the nodes interfere with the normal functioning of the patient.

Prevention of re-inflammation

Re-inflammation of the lymph nodes can occur with any weakening of the immune system. Therefore, measures to prevent swollen lymph nodes in HIV should be aimed at maintaining the immune forces of the body.

If the patient has chronic inflammatory diseases, then they should be given special attention. For example, in chronic cystitis, it is recommended not to freeze, keep your feet warm, and in the season of exacerbation, you can resort to preventive recipes of traditional medicine.

Enlarged lymph nodes with HIV -Ggeneralized lymphadenopathy- one ofregular states that accompanygiveninfection. It occurs in approximately 90% of patients.

What lymph nodes in HIV have distinctive features?The diameter of the enlarged nodes ranges from 0.5 to two centimeters, sometimes reaching 4-5 see, in this case, the nodes are easily determined visually. Lymph nodes usually change in a reactive type: they have a soft or densely elastic consistency, remain isolated, painless and mobile. In some cases, the nodes form whole conglomerates, they tend to merge, become quite painful, especially on palpation. Over the affected nodes, the skin is not changed. Generalized lymphadenopathy in HIV infection can proceed in a mixed type due to the addition of secondary infectious (most often infection with mycobacteria) and neoplastic (usually Kaposi's sarcoma) processes to changes in the reactive nature. The resulting lymphadenopathy can last quite a long time, sometimes for many years, with periods of exacerbation of the process and its remission, remaining the only sign of HIV infection.

AIDS-associated (AIDS-like, AIDS-associated) complex, as a rule, is formed against the background of developed generalized lymphadenopathy after about 1.5-3 years from its onset due to the attachment in a different sequence and combination of various and numerous general disorders and lesions of various organs and patient systems. The development of the complex is possible without previous lymphadenopathy, but this happens in rare cases. The manifestations of the AIDS-associated complex are distinguished by their diversity: headache, malaise, weakness, fatigue, sweating, cough, fever, myalgia, joint pain, loss of appetite, weight loss, diarrhea, and other pathological processes. Changes in the general blood test are reduced to leuko-, thrombocytopenia, as well as violations of the patient's cellular immunity. At first, the severity of these pathological conditions is expressed moderately, may undergo regression, with the exception of inexorably progressive weight loss. Over time, the severity of clinical symptoms gradually increases, and this may result in the formation of a complete picture of AIDS. In the literature, the term "preAIDS" itself has not yet received a clear definition. In some cases, researchers understand this term as all the stages preceding AIDS, i.e., sequentially occurring generalized lymphadenopathy, as well as an AIDS-associated complex, in others, only those clinical manifestations that are similar to AIDS and later turning into AIDS.

It should be emphasized the point of view of a number of researchers who believe that the AIDS-associated complex and the syndrome of generalized lymphadenopathy (enlarged lymph nodes in HIV) are not different stages of infection, but separate, completely independent forms of it. It also allows the possibility of developing AIDS without any prestages at all.

Often, HIV infection does not manifest itself for a long time, and the only symptom by which it can be understood that something is wrong in the body is an increase in lymph nodes. HIV is characterized by an increase in several groups of lymph nodes at once, sometimes up to five centimeters in diameter. Periodically, HIV-positive patients complain of pain in the lymph nodes.

Lymph nodes are natural formations of the body located along the course of the lymphatic vessels. Lymph flows through the lymph nodes through the lymphatic vessels, collecting microbes, toxins and tumor cells from the joints, muscles and organs. Lymph nodes are located mainly in groups. To the touch, they can be of different sizes - from wheat grain to beans.

Lymph, flowing through the lymph nodes, is cleansed of foreign particles and enriched with antibodies that prevent bacteria and viruses from multiplying in our body and neutralize harmful toxins. Thus, the lymph nodes are the natural barriers of our body, which are sensitive to the presence of an infection in the body.

Causes of enlarged lymph nodes

There are a lot of reasons for the increase in lymph nodes: from the usual caries to cancer of the lymphatic system. A change in the size of the lymph nodes may indicate that in the body:

An increase in lymph nodes occurs when there are so many foreign bodies in the lymph - viruses, bacteria, cancer cells - that the body's defenses cannot cope with them right there, on the spot. In this case, the body begins to urgently produce more and more new cells of the immune system, while the lymph nodes begin to grow.

If the enlargement of the lymph nodes is not accompanied by reddening of the skin and soreness with pressure, such changes are called lymphadenopathy.

Lymphadenopathy in HIV

As a rule, an increase in lymph nodes is observed at all stages of the disease. Sometimes patients notice that an impressive bump has grown on the neck, pliable when pressed, mobile, often painless. Usually, such cones with HIV appear in several places at once.

This is due to the fact that HIV affects the entire body at once. Moreover, if more than two groups of lymph nodes are enlarged for three or more months, then a mandatory analysis is prescribed to determine antibodies to HIV infection, since this is one of the most characteristic signs of infection.

If painfulness is added to these symptoms when pressed, then we are talking about inflammation of the lymph nodes. The inflammation of the lymph nodes is called lymphadenitis. With HIV, the immune system is under significant stress, in the absence of therapy, various infections soon join, with which the body is not easy to cope. All this leads to painful inflammation of the lymph nodes.

Where are the lymph nodes inflamed with HIV?

Where, how much and how soon the lymph nodes of an infected person will increase, is due to the ability of immunity to resist foreign organisms. If the immune system is seriously weakened, lymphadenopathy can manifest itself at the very beginning of the disease, and can also accompany HIV infection for many years, then appearing, then disappearing again.

Sometimes an increase in lymph nodes can be insignificant and not cause discomfort to the patient. Nevertheless, to one degree or another, a change in the size of the main group of lymph nodes can be seen upon close examination.

First of all, you should pay attention to the following groups of lymph nodes:

parotid,
submandibular,
occipital,
cervical,
sub- and supraclavicular,
elbow.

Normally, these lymph nodes are practically not palpable. With lymphadenopathy, the nodes become more dense, but at the same time remain elastic. Reddening of the skin in the area of the affected lymph nodes and soreness with pressure are present only in case of infection.

With HIV, lymph nodes grow on average up to two, less often up to five centimeters in diameter. Sometimes enlarged lymph nodes can merge with each other, then when pressed, quite severe pain is felt.

Many HIV-positive patients are concerned about how much the size of the lymph nodes will increase and whether it will be noticeable to others. Basically, a significant increase in the size of the nodes is observed in the later stages of HIV, in these cases, bumps of impressive size, visible to the naked eye, can grow on the neck, nape, under the jaw. In such a situation, patients have to mask enlarged nodes with hair, clothing, and accessories.

Lymph nodes, larger than two centimeters in diameter, are an indicator of a serious decrease in immunity and a reason to check for concomitant infections.

Most often, the lymph nodes located above the belt increase. But HIV-infected women in labor in the postpartum period may experience generalized lymphadenopathy. That is, an increase in all groups of lymph nodes, especially if there is an infection with the herpes virus. If the patient finds himself with a significant increase in inguinal lymph nodes, this is an occasion to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), since an increase in the femoral and inguinal lymph nodes is more likely for sexually transmitted diseases than for HIV.

Tuberculosis of the lymph nodes with HIV

Patients with HIV infection, as persons with a weakened immune system, are particularly susceptible to tuberculosis. When a bacterium enters the respiratory tract, the primary focus of the disease is formed. Lymph infection also occurs here, along with the current of which the bacterium spreads throughout the body, affecting the lymph nodes.

Tuberculosis of the lymph nodes in HIV occurs both in the pulmonary form of infection, and as an independent disease. In the initial form, it is difficult to distinguish from lymphadenopathy, since the nodes, in general, do not exceed one centimeter in diameter and do not hurt when pressed. However, after a while, the patient may have new complaints:

the temperature reaches 39 degrees;
skin is too pale;
the patient gets tired quickly;
there was excessive sweating.

Shortly after the onset of these symptoms, the lymph nodes begin to resemble clusters of growths, and acute pain is felt when pressed. Subsequently, purulent fistulas may appear, after the breakthrough of which the temperature may decline, which makes it difficult to diagnose tuberculosis of the lymph nodes.

To make sure that the lymph nodes are affected by tuberculosis, traditional Mantoux tests and sputum analysis may not be enough. Therefore, to confirm the diagnosis, it is recommended to conduct either a tomography of the affected lymph node.

Lymphoma and malignant tumors

Other symptoms may also be associated with swollen lymph nodes:

itchy rash;
night sweats;
weight loss;
enlargement of the liver and spleen;
persistent increase in temperature to 37-38 degrees.

All this may indicate the occurrence - a malignant formation of the lymph nodes.

If the central nervous system is affected, periodic epileptic seizures may also be present. In rare cases, HIV-infected people can develop brain lymphoma. At the same time, patients often complain that they have a severe headache.

At the same time, it should be understood that a headache with HIV infection does not always indicate oncological processes. The cause of a headache may be the usual SARS, high or low blood pressure. And there may be more serious disorders: meningitis, damage to nerve fibers, intoxication with severe infections, such as pneumonia. If an HIV headache persists for more than a few days without responding to the usual analgesics, this is a serious reason to see a doctor.

To accurately confirm the diagnosis, in addition to a medical examination and a general blood test, a biopsy of the affected lymph node is performed. And if the lymph node is located in places inaccessible for inspection, it is recommended to conduct radiation diagnostics, for example, tomography. A bone marrow examination is also performed to determine the presence of cancer cells in the bone marrow. In some cases, additional studies are prescribed at the discretion of the attending physician.

Malignant degeneration of lymphoid tissue affects about a third of HIV patients. In general, lymphomas in HIV infection are formed at the last stage. But if you refuse to take prescribed drugs and a strong decrease in immunity, lymphoma can form earlier.

Lymphoma in HIV infection progresses rapidly, giving metastases. Most HIV-infected people with lymphoma die within a year, since it is very difficult to overcome this disease completely in this situation, and cancerous processes in the body impair the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy.

The lymphatic network in the human body consists of lymphatic channels (vessels) and nodes. It is this system that performs a cleansing function from harmful toxic substances and harmful particles. For example, with an infection of the ENT organs, the jaw, behind the ear and cervical organs act. If we take the HIV disease, then the entire lymphatic system of the body begins to work. Therefore, inflammation of all lymph nodes occurs. In medicine, this process is called generalized lymphadenopathy.

In practice, there are many reasons for the enlargement of the nodes of the lymphatic system. This may be due to a banal or complex oncological disease.

The most common causes of this pathology are:

The process of inflammation of the lymph nodes begins from the moment when there are so many toxic substances and harmful particles that the body is not able to cope with them without additional resources. It begins to secrete additional protective cells, and due to which the nodes of the lymphatic system begin to grow.

The nature of the disease AIDS and the way of infection

Based on medical practice, this disease is characterized by slow development. slowly paralyzes the human immune system. After such destruction, unhindered access to the body of various types of viruses and bacteria opens up. That is, a person becomes vulnerable to all infectious diseases.

There are four ways of getting HIV infection into the blood:

1st path - disordered sex life (frequent change of partners)
2nd path - drug use through injection
3rd way - through the placenta when carrying a child, as well as when breastfeeding
4th way - through infected donated blood

It is important to remember that AIDS is not transmitted through kisses, air and when using household items of another person. You should not be afraid of infection in public baths, swimming pools and other similar public places.

The disease develops extremely slowly, gradually disabling the human immune mechanism and opening up free access to the body for almost any viral and bacterial pathogens. There are main ways that viruses enter the human blood:

promiscuous sexual contacts;
addiction;
during pregnancy through the placenta and breastfeeding;
through donated blood.

Infection is excluded when kissing, through the air, when using household items, as well as in public baths, pools.

The increase in the size of the nodes is explained by the fact that the lymphatic system is the main apparatus for the production of immune cells. Therefore, when infected with foreign forms, they are actively reproduced and localized in the lymph nodes, which swell unnaturally.

After the introduction of viruses into the blood, the disease may be asymptomatic. In 50% of patients, this stage of the disease lasts up to 10 years with minor signs of lymphadenopathy. Throughout the period, there is a consistent increase in the structure.

The acute form develops within a month. During this period, multiple clinical symptoms are observed:

vomit;
diarrhea;
chills and body aches;
proliferation of lymph nodes;
pain in the head.

This course of the disease can last more than 2 weeks and enter the stage of remission. But with further deterioration of the condition, the initial phase of AIDS unfolds.

Places of localization

With HIV infection, peripheral organs of the lymphatic system located above the lumbar region are most often inflamed: on the neck, collarbones, under the jaw, on the back of the head, near the ears, and under the armpits. Sometimes the process of generalization covers the inguinal, femoral and popliteal nodes. In the case when generalized lymphadenopathy extends to 2 or more groups of lymph nodes located above the belt, this indicates a possible infection with HIV.

The increased size of the structure can persist for 3 or more months. Lymphadenitis are single and totally common. Most often with HIV there are 2-3 groups of enlarged nodes in the neck, collarbones and armpits. To exclude an erroneous diagnosis, it is imperative to determine the nature of the growth of the nodes, which can be fungal, oncological, bacterial or treponemal in nature.

Organs can vary in size from 0.5 to 4-5 cm. On palpation, they are painful, soft or densely elastic in texture. They occur as isolated nodes, and also form a conglomerate, which indicates the ability to merge.

HIV is often associated with secondary infectious processes that are fungal, bacterial or neoplastic (tumor) in nature. When identifying a disorder, you should pay attention to the place where the lymph node becomes inflamed. When the throat is infected, the cervical region of the system increases, and when the treponema bacterium is affected, the node swells in the inguinal region.

Over time, generalized lymphadenopathy associated with HIV develops into associated AIDS. It has a variety of symptoms:

headache, weakness, malaise;
cough, sweating, joint pain;
weight loss, diarrhea.

There is a growing change in the cellular composition of the blood with the inexorable progress of the pathological condition.

Diagnostics, therapy and prevention

In case of suspicion of an increase in lymph nodes, it is necessary to carry out timely diagnosis, which is a determining factor in the successful fight against the disease. The most effective test for detecting antibodies to HIV is enzyme immunoassay. But it is carried out not earlier than six months after infection. The analysis is carried out in the case of:

unprotected sexual intercourse;
precedent with an attack by a rapist;
contact with contaminated blood.

It is impossible today to completely stop the development of pathology, but modern medicine is quite capable of alleviating the suffering of the patient, improving the quality of his life for many years. Antiretroviral therapy provides a long-term effect of counteracting the disease, inhibiting the virus and preventing it from actively developing. Thus, it is proposed to change the positive potential of the virus to negative so that it cannot penetrate T-lymphocytes with a negative electrical charge.

The difficulty of fulfilling the task of therapeutic influence lies in the fact that it is very difficult for young children under 2 years of age to withstand the course for a long time. The course of treatment should be lifelong. Of no small importance is the cost of antiviral drugs, as well as frequent and severe forms of accidental (side) effects.

The peculiarity of sexual relationships is their orderliness, that is, it is desirable to have one permanent partner. In this case, be sure to use protective equipment.

If a person has an immunodeficiency virus, this does not mean that life is over. Medicine is able to help the patient cope with the consequences of the disease.

Timely passage of medical measures, lifestyle changes and personal discipline will be the key to success.