Swollen Lymph Glands in Groin

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Hi, I have a question about swollen lymph glands in my groin and whether or not it's related to an STD. Exactly 14 days ago, I had sex with 2 people (unprotected). About 2-3 days after, my lymph glands in my groin area started to swell- so, I went to the hospital to get a culture/swab done for Chlamydia and Gonorreah. Well, those tests came up negative- BUT the antibiotics I was given at the time (Zithromax and Cipro) helped the swelling go down in my groin area within a few days. This leads me to believe that it was bacterial infection?? My question is- could it still be a virus I caught?? I did not experience an outbreak of herpes (I checked 20x a day over the past 2 weeks!)- However, I just noticed last night what I believe is "pearly penile papules" (a line of raised bumps on the rim of the head of my penis)- I've been to a dermatologist before about them. I haven't noticed them in a couple of years.Could it have been some sort of other infection I caught from having unprotected sex that caused my lymph glands to swell? Sometimes I still notice a tingling sensation on the inside of my thighs.Thank you for your help- I appreciate it.

When I was 8 I found a lump under my left arm. My wonderful loving mother said not to worry about it was probably just a swollen lymph gland. Fortunatly for me she was right. I'm in my 30's now and it's still there sometimes more swollen than others, hurts if someone or something pushes on it, but not a big deal. My point is it may just be a swollen gland. Only ways to know for sure is to see the doctor or wait 10 or 15 years and see if you're still alive.

Antibiotics are useless on viruses, so either it was bacterial or your body's system did the work.

Thank you for your replies. My only other questions then are:1. What are the chances it WAS a bacterial infection (from unprotected sex) if my Chlamydia and Gonorrea tests both came up negative?2. Could the swollen lymphnodes in the groin have been due to injury? I banged up both my knees and hurt (twisted) my ankle pretty bad the same day I had unprotected sex.Thank you again for your reply, I look forward to your responses.

1.) I personally don't think your problem is an STD. I really think you should see a doctor right away.2.)I doubt it. Could be nothing could be anything.

Hi, this question is actually for the moderator (Ineligible)- when you say it was either bacterial or my body "did the work"? What do you mean? If it wasn't bacterial, what else could it have been??

It could have been a virus. Antibiotics are useless against viruses. In that case, your body's immune system fought the infection by itself.

Thanks for your quick reply. My two questions at this point then:1. If it was bacterial, could it have just been random bacteria I caught from unprotected sex? (Since my chlamydia and gonorrea tests came up negative 3 days after I had sex)2. If it was viral, could it have been herpes that caused my lymphnodes to swell? I've read a lot about it and that is one of the symptoms. However, that was the only symptom- swollen lymphnodes and a burning sensation on the inside of my thighs. Could it have been another virus instead?Like I said, a couple days after I took the antibiotics the lymphnode swelling went down and the burning sensation started to go away.

The most common infections are by bacteria, viruses, fungi and protozoa. All of these can trigger an immune response that means your body is fighting the disease, and this can result in swollen lymph glands. The usual antibiotics act against bacteria only. If the infection was by a virus or fungus or protozoon, if it got better it wasn't because of the antibiotic but because of your body's natural defences. (If it wasn't bacterial, it would most likely be viral - protozoal infections aren't common outside the tropics, and systemic fungal infections are rare, though they are common on the skin.)

To both questions, the answer is maybe. In any case, it's something that you needto discuss with the doctor who treated you.

Thank you for that clarification! What do you think the chances are that I caught something from sex that was either bacterial OR viral which wouldn't be classified as one of those STDS listed on the left side of this page?

the chances are that I caught somethingI don't know what that statistics would be in general (there are many things you can catch from another person), but for you as an individual, the question is impossible to answer.What would you do with the information, even if were possible to obtain?A blood test can show signs of present and past infections.

Your response makes good sense. It's been about 25 days now since that sexual encounter. I'm still very anxious that it might have been something viral. I'm embarrased to go to my family doctor to get a blood test for STD viruses. I know most STD clinics can't run tests unless I exhibit visible signs of an viral STD. Any suggestions? I'd like to get a blood test done.How long should I wait before I go get a blood test like that done? (for genital warts and herpes)

I know most STD clinics can't run tests unless I exhibit visible signs of an viral STD.That can't possibly be true. Often, you can be infected with an STDs and not show any symptoms at all.As far as your doctor is concerned, there's nothing to be embarrassed about. Even if he's you, he's seen it all many, many times before, and what he finds and what you discuss are confidential.Who treated you the first time?

An emergency room doctor treated me the first time. The one STD Clinic I called that's near me said they can't run tests for genital herpes or warts unless there are visible signs. I take that to mean, they don't do blood work- except for syphilis testing.

I guess I will have to make an appointment with my family doctor- but my question is... when should I go??

How long after I had unprotected sex should get wait to get blood work done for those STDS in question? I don't want any false negatives.

I don't see any point in waiting. This is something that needs to be dealt with by your regular doctor.