Sexually transmitted diseases are common as most are asymptomatic, making people spread them without knowing. The common STDs include gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, HIV, human papillomavirus, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and trichomoniasis.

However, not all STDs cause swollen lymph nodes. The most common STD causing swollen lymph nodes is the lymphogranuloma venereum, a rare sexually transmitted disease. Other STDs like syphilis, herpes, and HIV can also cause your lymph nodes to swell.

This guide will comprehensively discuss the STD causing swollen lymph nodes, the lymphogranuloma venereum, its causes, symptoms, and treatment. Read on to learn more.

Lymphogranuloma venereum

Lymphogranuloma venereum is a rare sexually transmitted disease caused by the same bacterium causing chlamydia, the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis. It is an infection affecting the lymph nodes in and around the genital area.

You can transmit Lymphogranuloma venereum through oral, anal, and vaginal sexual contact. It affects all ages and genders though it is common in sexually active people between the ages of 15-40 and gay. If you are HIV positive, you also have a high chance of contracting this condition.

You can spread and contract LGV by engaging in unprotected anal, oral, or vaginal sexual contact, and having trauma on your skin increases your chances. Those sharing sex toys without washing them before use or without using protection can also spread the condition.

Causes of lymphogranuloma venereum

LGV is a sexually transmitted bacterial infection. It is caused by the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis, the same bacteria causing chlamydia. There are many types of chlamydia trachomatis, but the specific one causing LGV is serovars L1, L2, and L3. 

Symptoms of lymphogranuloma venereum

After infection, it takes about 12 days for the symptoms of LGV to start showing though sometimes it can take a month. The symptom starts as fluid-filled blisters in your genitals or anus. The symptoms of lymphogranuloma venereum occur in three stages:

First stage

This stage occurs about 12-30 days after infection. At this stage, you will develop small blisters or bumps, which can be 1-6 millimeters in size, around your vagina or penis. These blisters are usually filled with fluids but are painless and heal quickly. The blisters can also develop in your mouth if you have oral sex with an infected person leading to sores in your mouth and throat.

Second stage

The first stage last for about two to six weeks then the infection enters the second stage. In the second stage, you may experience symptoms like:

  • Tender and swollen lymph nodes in the groin, mostly in men
  • Painful, swollen lymph nodes in the pelvis and near the rectum, mainly in women

The infection can also cause the skin over the lymph nodes to break, damaging the passageway or sinus tract, which can lead to pus or blood drainage out onto the skin. 

The second stage of LGV can cause other symptoms like:

  • Fatigue
  • Abdominal pain
  • Anal pain
  • Constipation
  • Pelvic pain in women
  • Body aches
  • Strong urge to pass stools
  • Headache 
  • Fever
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Painful urination
  • Pain while pooping
  • Rectal itching and bleeding
  • Rectal and anal inflammation

Third stage

Failure to treat LGV or improper treatment can be the third stage of LGV. At this stage, the oozing sores dry up and heal, leaving scarring, and you can also still experience sinus tracts. Other symptoms may include:

  • Swelling of the genitals
  • Pelvic floor dysfunction
  • Deformed genitals
  • Anal fistulas
  • Abscesses
  • Narrowing of the rectum

Diagnosis of lymphogranuloma venereum

During diagnosis, your healthcare provider will physically examine you and ask about symptoms and medical and sexual history. If they suspect LGV based on the symptoms and your sexual history, they may suggest the following tests.

  • Blood test to look for antibodies that can detect chlamydia trachomatis
  • Nucleic acid amplification test (NAAT). They will take a sample from your lymph node, rectum, or groin and perform a NAAT test to look for chlamydia trachomatis. 
  • Biopsy of swollen lymph nodes. Diagnosing lymphogranuloma venereum can be extremely difficult, and sometimes it is misdiagnosed.

For your doctor to get the correct diagnosis, they must carefully take your medical history and be familiar with the disease. Because just examining the samples from the sores may not give an accurate result as the bacteria may not be visible in some stages of the infection.

Misdiagnosis can occur when the doctor tests the swollen lymph nodes and sores for chlamydia. It is difficult to tell the difference between the typical chlamydia infection and lymphogranuloma venereum, and most labs can’t differentiate. At this point, it is likely for the doctor to misdiagnose the infection as chlamydia instead of LGV.

It is, therefore, essential to provide your doctor with the correct and complete information about your medical and sexual history to avoid misdiagnosis.

Lymphogranuloma venereum treatment

Lymphogranuloma venereum is an STD causing swollen lymph nodes, which can be painful. It is, therefore, important to know how to treat it to ease the symptom and eliminate the infection.

LGV is a bacterial infection, and antibiotics are the most effective medications. When diagnosed with LGV, your healthcare provider will suggest treating the infection using the antibiotic doxycycline. They usually prescribe taking 100 milligrams of doxycycline twice a day for 21 days. They may also prescribe other antibiotics like erythromycin or azithromycin as an alternative.

Your doctor may also recommend a needle biopsy- a procedure for extracting fluids and tissues from blisters or bumps. They will carry out this procedure to extract the pus from the swollen lymph nodes and bumps, which can help relieve your pain and discomfort.

Prevention of lymphogranuloma venereum

Though it is an uncommon sexually transmitted infection, it is still an STD causing swollen lymph nodes, which are painful and cause discomfort. It is, therefore, crucial to know how to avoid and prevent the spread of this condition. Below are some of the ways you can reduce your risk of spreading and contracting LGV:

  • Avoid having multiple sex partners.
  • Always use protection like condoms or dental dams whenever you have sex.
  • Ensure you regularly go for STD screening, especially if you are sexually active
  • If you suspect LGV infection or other STDs, go for diagnosis and treatment. 
  • If you are diagnosed with LGV, inform your partner and advise them to get tested and treated. This applies to any partner you’ve had intimacy with within the 60 days before your diagnosis. 
  • Avoid sharing sex toys. If you have two, use protection and wash them thoroughly before use.
  • Wash your genitals carefully after sexual intercourse

Is lymphogranuloma venereum common?

LGV is uncommon, and tropical and subtropical regions have registered more cases. Most LGV cases have been reported in Australia, Europe, and North America involving men who have sex with their fellow men.

Other STD causing swollen lymph nodes

LGV is a common STD causing swollen lymph nodes as it involves the lymphatic nodes. However, other STDs can also lead to the swelling of the lymph nodes though they don’t affect the lymph nodes directly. Let’s look at them.

Syphilis

Syphilis is a common sexually transmitted bacterial infection caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum. Syphilis affects people of all gender and ages but is common in youths and young adults between the age of 15-24 who are sexually active.

Syphilis spreads through vaginal, oral, or anal sexual contact with an infected person. During the contact, the infection passes from one person to another through vaginal fluids, pre-cum, semen, or anal mucus. Breastfeeding mothers can also transmit this infection to their babies through breast milk. 

Syphilis occurs in four stages, primary, secondary, latent, and tertiary, with each stage having different symptoms. Like LGV, one of the symptoms of syphilis is causing inflammation of the lymph nodes, making it an STD causing swollen lymph nodes. Other symptoms of syphilis, depending on the stages, may include:

Primary stage

The only symptom at this stage is the formation of a single chancre at the location where the infection enters the body. The formation of several chancres on the vagina or anus can then follow. These chancres are usually painless but firm, and they can last for about 3-6 weeks and then disappear on their own, even without treatment.

Secondary stage

The main symptom at this stage is the formation of rashes. Other symptoms may include:

  • Swollen lymph nodes
  • Fever
  • Sore throat
  • Weight loss
  • Hair loss
  • Muscles aches
  • Headaches
  • Fatigue

In the latent stage, there are no symptoms of syphilis, while in the tertiary stage, the symptoms depend on the area of the body where the infection affects.

Once infected with syphilis, it can lie dormant for years before becoming active again. But, even in the dormancy stage, you can still transmit syphilis infection to another person if you have skin-to-skin contact or engage in unprotected sexual intercourse.

Syphilis is curable, and your doctor can recommend a single shot of penicillin. If you leave syphilis untreated, it can progress to the tertiary stage. At this stage, syphilis can cause damage to vital body organs like the lungs, heart, brain, etc., leading to the following health problems:

  • Hearing loss
  • Bladder incontinence
  • Stroke
  • Headache
  • Meningitis
  • Cardiovascular problems
  • Sexual dysfunction in men
  • Dementia
  • Visual problems
  • Pregnancy and childbirth complications
  • Increased risk of getting HIV

To prevent syphilis and avoid these health problems, consider the following:

  • Regular use of a condom any time you are having sex
  • Abstain or be in a monogamous relationship
  • Regularly go for STD screening to know your status

Human immunodeficiency virus

Human immunodeficiency virus is a common sexually transmitted infection affecting sexually active people, especially youths and young adults though it affects people of all ages. The primary mode of transmission of HIV is through sexual contact, but you can also get the virus through sharing of sharp piercing objects like needles, blood transfusion, and drug injection equipment.

The fluids that carry HIV are blood, pre-cum, semen, rectal fluids, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. 

The main effect of HIV is weakening the immune system, making it unable to fight off pathogen-causing infections.

HIV is another STD causing swollen lymph nodes as this is one of its many symptoms. Other symptoms of HIV may include:

  • Chronic diarrhea
  • Chills
  • Sweats
  • Persistent fatigue
  • Recurring fever
  • Weight loss
  • Weakness
  • Skin rashes
  • Muscle aches
  • Joint pain
  • Sore throat
  • Painful mouth ulcers
  • Cough
  • Oral yeast infection
  • Pneumonia
  • Shingles

Herpes

Herpes is another STD causing swollen lymph nodes though it doesn’t affect it directly like LGV. Herpes is a sexually transmitted infection due to the herpes simplex virus. There are two types of HPV causing different types of herpes infection; the herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2, which causes oral herpes and genital herpes, respectively.

Oral herpes

Oral herpes is a sexually transmitted disease that affects the mouth and lips. It is caused by herpes simplex virus type 1, but on rare occasions, herpes simplex virus type 2 can also cause it. Oral herpes, also known as cold sores or fever blisters, are tiny blisters filled with fluid and are mostly found on and around the lips.

You can transmit cold sores through close contact, such as kissing or sharing things like towels or eating utensils. It is common in adults between the age of 15-49, according to World Health Organization.

Though herpes simplex virus mainly causes genital herpes, it can also cause oral herpes through oral sex. Oral herpes starts as fluid-filled blisters that rupture and ooze fluids, scabs, then crust over, leaving no scars.

Lymph node swelling is one of the symptoms of cold sores, and it is, therefore, an STD causing swelling of the lymph nodes. Other symptoms of cold sores include:

  • Tingling or itching around the lips when the blisters are about to form
  • Tiny fluid-filled blisters
  • Fever
  • Painful gums
  • Muscle aches
  • Headache
  • Sore throat

People usually confuse cold sores with canker sores, especially in children under five. Cold sores are transmitted via contact to prevent contracting and spreading the virus, avoid contact with an infected person, or, specifically, with open cold sores.

Cold sores are incurable, but you can manage their outbreak and symptoms with antiviral medications. The home remedies depend on the symptoms; for example, if it causes a sore throat, you can gargle with salt water to reduce inflammation and ease a painful throat.

Genital herpes

Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection caused by herpes simplex virus type 2, which causes painful fluid-filled blisters on the genitals. You can also find these blisters in the anus if the infection is due to anal sex. You can transmit genital herpes through oral, anal, or vaginal sexual contact.

Herpes simplex virus type 1 can also cause genital herpes. This can occur when you have oral sex with someone with cold sores.

Like most other STDs, genital herpes is common in the sexually active group of 0f 15.42 though it can affect anyone. The virus rarely shows symptoms, but when it does, they include swelling of the lymph nodes, making it an STD causing swollen lymph nodes. Other symptoms may include:

  • Painful or itching genitals
  • Painful urination
  • Small bumps around the infected areas, e.g., in the genitals, anus, or mouth
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Urethral discharge
  • Ulcerations 
  • Headache
  • Body aches
  • Fever

Genital herpes has no cure. However, you can manage the symptoms and the outbreak of genital herpes using antiviral medications. Once infected, the HSV-1 can lay dormant in the body but can reoccur and cause symptoms several times a year.

Other common STDs

After looking at the STD causing swollen lymph nodes, it is vital to know other common STDs, their causes, and their symptoms. Besides LGV, herpes, HIV, and syphilis, here are other common STDs:

Chlamydia

Chlamydia is a common sexually transmitted bacterial infection caused by the bacterium chlamydia trachomatis, the same bacterium causing lymphogranuloma venereum. Chlamydia affects people of all ages and genders, but it is common in sexually active people between the age of 15-24 and women.

Most people with chlamydia don’t know they have it because the infection rarely causes symptoms. For this reason, most people spread chlamydia without knowing, so it is important to regularly go for STD screening, especially if you are sexually active.

You can transmit chlamydia primarily through vaginal, oral, or anal sexual contact with an infected person.

When chlamydia causes symptoms, they may include:

  • Pain in the testicles
  • Painful urination
  • Vaginal discharge
  • Penile discharge
  • Painful sexual intercourse in women
  • Bleeding during and after sexual intercourse

Chlamydia is curable, and you can treat it with antibiotics since it is a bacterial infection. Leaving chlamydia can cause serious health problems.

Gonorrhea

Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease resulting from the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection. It affects both genders and people of all ages, but it is common in sexually active ages; 15-24 years. Gonorrhea is transmitted through oral, vaginal, or anal sexual contact, and it mostly affects the rectum, urethra, or throat, but in women, it can also affect the cervix.

Infected women can also pass gonorrhea infections to their babies during delivery which can cause health hazards like eye infections in newborns.

Gonorrhea does not cause swelling of the lymph nodes; therefore, it is not an STD causing swelling lymph nodes. However, gonorrhea can cause symptoms like:

  • Painful urination
  • Swelling of one testicle 
  • Pus-like discharge from the genitals
  • Abdominal or pelvic pain in women
  • Abnormal vaginal discharge
  • Vaginal bleeding after sexual intercourse
  • Vaginal bleeding between periods

If gonorrhea infections affect other parts of the body, like the rectum and the eye, can also cause pus-like discharge.

Gonorrhea is a bacterial infection treatable with antibiotics. Leaving gonorrhea untreated can cause severe health problems like infertility.

Human papillomavirus

Human papillomavirus is a sexually transmitted infection causing genital warts and certain cancers. Human papillomavirus has more than 100 strains, some causing warts while others can cause different types of cancer. These strains can cause cancer of the cervix, vulva, anus, penis, vagina, or back of the throat.

The virus is transmitted from one person to another through sexual contact and other skin-to-skin contacts. HPV doesn’t affect the lymph glands. Therefore, it isn’t an STD causing swollen lymph nodes. HPV rarely shows symptoms, with the most visible one being warts. 

The warts are contagious, and one can get them by touching an object contaminated by warts. You can get the HPV vaccine to protect you from the infection.

Conclusion

There are many sexually transmitted diseases, but not all affect the lymph nodes and cause inflammation. The uncommon STD, lymphogranuloma venereum, is the only STD that directly affects the lymph nodes causing them to swell. LGV is uncommon, but it can cause painful and uncomfortable symptoms. It is, therefore, important to know how to treat and manage the symptoms.

STDs like HIV, syphilis, genital herpes, and oral herpes can also cause swelling of the lymph nodes though they don’t affect the lymph nodes directly.

Contributor: admin