Further worries

Hi Dr.

Please see my previous question below. Since you have answered my last questions, i have continued to get mouth ulcers and have swollen glands in my neck. I am also having a constant feeling of lethargy. I am concerned these could be ongoing symptoms of early HIV.

I recently went to a Gastroenterologist for test on my stomach as i think i have IBS or celiac. He did some blood tests for me and they came back a negative for Celiac but the was a raised IGA of 5.49 (usual levels are between 0.70 - 4.00) I am going in for a endoscopy next week to ***** the stomach and get a biopsy to rule out celiac. I asked him if the results could be a result of a viral infection, not mentioning HIV and he said no.

I understand some of the side effect of celiac of wheat intolerance can be lethargy and mouth ulcers.

I haven’t been test for HIV yet.

A few questions:

A) Could the raised IGA levels be a sign of early HIV
B) Would these other ongoing symptoms merit getting tested for HIV 28 day duo test or could they be some other viral infection or down to celiac/ wheat intollerance?

On March 1st I went to see a Transexual escort I received and gave protected oral and  protected anal for about 5 minutes then he changed the condom and put another one on. His English was very bad and I asked if it had broken is that why you are changing it and he said “not broken”. We then had protective sex for another few minutes and finished without him coming. The following Saturday 7 days later I had feelings of nausea and was sick once.

My sense is that you are not at risk from the exposure you describe.

In answer to your specific questions:
A) Are the symptoms synonymous with early HIV infections?
There are no symptoms which are synonymous with early HIV and your symptoms are not suggestive.

B) Should I get tested?
Testing is a personal choice but from what you have told me, the exposure did not put you at risk for HIV and thus there is no clear reason for testing.

[Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia, MD, MRCGP, PhD]

Hello,
Thank you for your further post.
from the point of view of the exposure that you describe, I agree totally with my colleague's analysis regarding the lack of HIV risk.
Your symptoms are not consistetn with HIV sero-conversion either: persistent mouth ulcers, swollen glands and lethargy are not HIV sero-conversion symptoms.
I will answer both your questions here below:
A) No. Increased levels of IgA are related to mucosal immunity; they are antibodies produced in mucosal linings like the gastrointestinal tract; coeliac disease involves IgA pathology due to the presence of IgA antiendomysial antibodies, and there might be a link.  Certainly nothing to do with HIV.
B) There are no medical grounds for you to get tested for HIV.  The only justification for this would be for your peace of mind.  The fact that you are still worrying about HIV might warrant that you get tested.  I am sure that the result will be negative.
Best wishes,
Dr José