Anxiety Or HIV

[veryscared785]

hello doctor i really need help and advise or i feel like i will harm myself. a few years ago actually about 3 years ago in april 06 i met a girl at a night club and had unrotected sex that lasted about 2 mins. i was fine until about a year and a half ago or so, when i developed redness on my face by my mustache i did get redness when i shaved at times but this was different it last for a whole day as time went on i saw it began to get dry but after putting some aveno lotion i was good for month's, then around april this year it started happening on my beard to, i went to the derm who said i have mild dermatitis well seborr derm so dont worry its common. i already knew becuase of me being on the internet googling my symptoms everyday, see ever since the first time i checked my condition which was over a year ago all i see on most sites is hiv this is driving me crazy and my anxiety is killing me. i really havent had any other symptoms well i get colds in the season which go away. now around april of 07 my fiancee gave birth yes my fiancee who i cheated on that day and regret it so much becuase we were having problems. at this time she did get checked and all was ok am not sure if it was too soon for her or if i might have passed something to her. if its even that doctor the girl i slept with i still keep in contact mostly thru online, she seems fine i see pictures her with her son but am convince i have this disease my mind is driving me crazy and the reason is becuase of this seborrheic dermatitis, now i am a hypocondraic and always go to the doctor for everything always getting blood work done to check for things but i never requested an hiv because i am so scared of result which am already convince of. i cant imagine my fiancee and son going thru something becuase i was an idiot and made a stupid mistake. i also have stomach issues now which i took all test and ultrasounds and all is find maybe its the stress not sure if this is stress killing me or what helpme.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I do not see any mention of you having been tested for HIV.  Why not?  You are anxious about nothing.  your risk for HIV from a single unprotected sex act with a casual partner is miniscule.  That you have seborrheic dermatitis does not change that in any way.  While seborrheic dermatitis is seen with some regularity on persons with  HIV, the vast, vast majority of people with this very common skin condition do not have HIV.

You need an HIV test and may need professional assistance in working through your guilt and inappropriate anxiety.  I am confident when you get an HIV test it will be negative, PROVING that you do not have HIV.  EWH

[veryscared785]

doctor i also forgot to mention both of my older brothers who have same mother different father have a skin condition ever since they were younger though its a type of dermatitis were they have redness and dryness almost all over body, also when i was younger i use to get flakes in my eyebrows and sometimes the creases of my nose but nothing like now how its on my beard and if i let it grow to much it gets irritated real fast. as you can see am a very stressful person and let my anxiety take over my mind and body i dont know what to do just need good enough advise from a professional who has everyday knowledge of this condition thanks doctor i greatly appreciate all your help. i know this is alot to intake.

[veryscared785]

no doctor i havent tested becuase i am sooo scared, becuase of the dermatitis, i know what i should do am just so scared to do it and dont understand why i feel the way i do, i know i have to man up and do know that mind is a powerful thing am just so convince.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Please get over your fear of HIV testing, it is harming you.  Testing does not give a person HIV but it does give them the power to know what is going on and whether or not they have the infection.  Most tests are negative and if you were so unfortunate as to have HIV, the test would allow you to seek treatment sooner.  There is no reason to delay or avoid HIV testing.  EWH

[veryscared785]

Hey doctor did you read my post under my first one? Both of my older brothers also have skin condition but since they were younger! Not sure if mine could be family related! I guess I will go test finally and just stay offline googling symptoms I just feel so convince and this HIV phobia Is horrible!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Of course I read it.  Did you read my response?  That is my message for you.  Your risk is miniscule and you need to get a test to prove it to yoruself.  EWH