Babies

[ohnoo]

Dear Doctor

First of all thanks for answering this.

I had an unprotected exposure with a prostitute around 18 months ago - 2 weeks later I had a fever, a headache and a rash for around 2 weeks followed by continuing headaches, back pain, skin peeling and skin growths appearing for around 3 months - these symptoms then stabilised and I was OK and then about 3 months later I started to experience mouth discomfort.

I tested for HIV 3 times after 3 months, 6 months and 9 months and all tests were negative.  I even tested my CD4 count which was after 4 months 540 with a CD4/CD8 of 1.01 and after 7 months this was 663 and 1.50 respectively.

I am trying to put this behind me and have sought out professional mental help.  I and my girlfriend want to try for a baby and I wanted to know whether in your professional opinion it is safe to do so.  My girlfriend has also tested negative and we both have had no other partners in the intervening period.

Thanks for your help

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

If you don't have HIV or other blood-borne infections, it is safe to donate blood.  However, I believe that official blood donation guidelines say that customers of commercial sex workers are not welcome as donors.  On the other hand, many experts would consider such policies outmoded, and anyway probably many (most?) donors who have had commercial sex experiences simply don't reveal that information when they donate.  You could anonymously contact your local blood bank and ask their policy.

[ohnoo]

thanks.  Final question -  is it also safe for me to resume donating blood?  I live in the US.  

Thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Your HIV test results prove you don't have it.  The specific answers to the questions below are:

1,2) None of your symptoms are typical of HIV.  Even if they were, test results always outweigh symptoms in diagnosing HIV infecitons.  ALWAYS.  Accordingly, your test results prove HIV isn't the cause.  I have no comment about stress or other possible causes; that's an issue for your personal health care provider. But since you raise the issue of psychological care, I suspect that is your only health problem.

3) It was a waste of money (yours or your insurance company's) to have CD4/CD8 testing, but the results are normal. If they were abnormal, it would have to be due to something other than HIV.

4) From an HIV perspective, there is no reason for your not to father a child.

Regards--  HHH, MD

[ohnoo]

Sorry - specific questions are:

1.  My symptoms seemed to come and go in the initial period - I.e. i had fever staright away, headaches shortly aftrewards and then for example back pain did not start until after around 2 months - is this typical of HIV?

2.  I started mouth problems after the initial symptoms after 6 months?  Is this too early for HIV symptomatic period to typically start?  Could this be due to stress - I basically feel I have constant saliva covering my gums

3.  Could the CD4/CD8 movements above be typical of HIV?

4.  Can I with confidence try for a baby in the knowledge I am safe - if not, can you please suggest alternative course of action?

Once again, many many thanks