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STDs (Expert Forum)
Do I need to see another doctor?
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
Do I need to see another doctor?
by questions05, Feb 09, 2005 12:00AM
I have not been feeling well for about three week. Lack of appetite (which has now returned), headaches, muscle aches & weaknes, some sensitivity to light and blurry vision, white tongue and white spots on throat and tonsils. I was told I had strep (no test) and took zithromax. Places are still on the back of throat. My symptoms are similar to mono, except not severe. I did test negative for HIV last possible exposure (very low risk) was over 2 years ago. Therefore, from what I understand there is no chance that I have that. I do have genital herpes (contracted approximately 6 years ago from the only person I have been sexually active with. The gynecologist told me the other day that I was having a herpes outbreak during a routine exam. she put me on 3 days of valtrax treatment. After all the medicine I feel like the herpes may still be active. Itching, burning and redness, but no ulcers that I can see. could all of my other symptoms be related to this? DO I need to go back and get checked out again? I have been under high amounts of stress lately opening a new business. Reading on the internet made me think that my vision trouble could be related to the herpes. Its all making me rather nervous. Do you have any suggestions?
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Feb 09, 2005 12:00AM
, Feb 09, 2005 12:00AM
None of the systemic symptoms--mouth/throat spots, headaches, muscle aches, light sensitivity, etc--are due to herpes. It sounds to me like you got a viral infection of some sort that now is clearing up. I agree it sounds a lot like mononucleosis, which it might have been. Many mono cases in fact are mild (in fact, most cases of mono cause no symptoms at all). I would also wonder whether you were taking any medications, i.e. whether your symptoms might have been a drug reaction of some kind.
Your genital symptoms are a textbook description of vulvovaginal candidasis, i.e. a yeast infection. I suggest returning to your gynecologist, who will prescribe appropriate medication (assuming s/he confirms my guess). Alternatively, you might try one of the many OTC yeast treatments available in all pharmacies; but please at least call your gynecologist first and see if s/he agrees with that approach. The other possibility is that you indeed are having continued herpes recurrences, in which case you would benefit from continued suppressive therapy with valacyclovir (Valtrex) or one of the other antiherpes drugs.
In any case, I do not think your genital symptoms are related to the others--except for the possibility that your herpes outbreak resulted in part because your immune system had been weakened by the viral infection that now seems to be resolving.
None of this sounds serious, especially since you are HIV negative and not at risk.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Your genital symptoms are a textbook description of vulvovaginal candidasis, i.e. a yeast infection. I suggest returning to your gynecologist, who will prescribe appropriate medication (assuming s/he confirms my guess). Alternatively, you might try one of the many OTC yeast treatments available in all pharmacies; but please at least call your gynecologist first and see if s/he agrees with that approach. The other possibility is that you indeed are having continued herpes recurrences, in which case you would benefit from continued suppressive therapy with valacyclovir (Valtrex) or one of the other antiherpes drugs.
In any case, I do not think your genital symptoms are related to the others--except for the possibility that your herpes outbreak resulted in part because your immune system had been weakened by the viral infection that now seems to be resolving.
None of this sounds serious, especially since you are HIV negative and not at risk.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Your symptoms are consistent with primary HIV infection; when symptomatic, it's very much like mononuceosis. However, you say no possible exposure to HIV in the past 2 years. I assume this means no sex, no injection drug use, no medical treatment with shared sharp instruments or blood transfusion in a third-world country, etc.
Bottom line: It can't hurt to do another HIV test, but don't do it fearfully; I doubt it will be positive.
I have deleted the duplicate question you posted anew.
Good luck again-- HHH, MD
"No risk" means you are confident your partner also is at no risk. I don't imply otherwise; you know your partner and your relationship and I don't have a clue. But this is an STD forum, after all, so I need to raise the issue of his (or her) monogamy, sexual orientation, and/or drug use.
Do you recognize the logical inconsistency in these questions and "I am fearful and don't want to take another test"? If your risk of HIV is low, there is nothing to be fearful about. And if you're worried enough about HIV to raise the issue, then perhaps there is more reason for fear than you are letting on (maybe even to yourself). Being "afraid" of an HIV test is one of the very best reasons to get tested. If it is negative, as we both expect, you will sleep easier; and if it is positive, in the long run (and even the short run) it is far better to know it.
A complete blood count might give clues about HIV, but only about advanced infection; and the CBC abnormalities sometimes associated with HIV are seen with many other viral infections.
Regards-- HHH, MD
I am considering testing again, but I think I am just being anxious over nothing, but I can't seem to shake the thought of being infected with HIV. There is no chance that I have been infected recently. I am sure of the monogamous status of my relationship and neither of us use drugs. I had a mono test done which came back negative. That made me a little more nervous.