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Avatar universal

Having a hard time here

I am a 61 year old caucasion guy. My exposure was an extended session of mutual oral sex with an A/A CSW of unknown status.  At the time, I had a fractured back molar.  The oral sex lasted between 15 and 20 minutes, and there was zero intercourse otherwise.   I have done extensive reading here and have read Dr. HHH's and others' numerous posts as to the extremely low stats regarding transmission under those circumstances.  This took place in mid-December.  

I have not experienced any high fevers, but I have awakened a couple of times with heavy sweating.  Not like the night sweats described in some of the posts, but definitely wet tee shirt, facial skin and hair.  I have been diagnosed with a sudden and unusual appearance of vitiligo on my genitals.  I have also experienced some nasty (read painful) otitis externa for the first time in my life that required a prescription ointment to help (Muporocin) after the OTC's would not work.  

I'm having the sense that my immune system is altered, as the aforementioned maladies are quite out of nowhere.  My CBC was normal EXCEPT that my WBC came in at around 4.1 (my range in the past has been 4.4 - 9), and my cholesterol (TC) dropped 30 points.  That one really freaks me out, as I've read that an odd specific to HIV+ individuals is a lower cholesterol.  If I may quote the article:

"Cholesterol levels, as mentioned earlier, are routinely decreased in HIV positive individuals. It's not understood why this occurs, but it is thought to be related to altered metabolism. normal cholesterol levels are 150-250 mg/dl."

With all of these strange things, do I sound at risk?   My anxiety levels are off the charts.  

Your input is greatly appreciated.



5 Responses
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300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Please relax. You have read our posts to similar past questions, thus you know that I am about to tell you that you are are virtually no risk.  The presence of your fractured molar is analogous to other forms of dental disease (cavities, gum disease, etc) which are incorporated in the statement that the risk of HIV acquisition from oral sex (in either direction) is less than 1 in 10,000.  The symptoms you are experiencing are not related to HIV.  My advice - work through these things with your health care provider (since you have been prescribed Mucopirin, I presume you have one).  This is just a convergence of other issues with your exposure - bad luck, but not a function of HIV infection.  To be honest, I would not even recommend testing in this situation unless it is something you need to do to relieve your anxieties.  If you do decide to get tested, please wait till six weeks after your exposure for testing, at that time more than 95% of tests that are going to be positive will be and you will be able to take your negative test results, when combined with the very, very low risk of your exposure as a definitive indicator that you do not have HIV. Hope this helps.  EWH
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Went and tested..   NEG.

It's MILLER TIME!

Seriously, I appreciate your encouragement and insight.  I still have to look into this cholesterol change, but I should hopefully be happy about that one.  LDL was down 30 and HDL up 12.  Going to UCLA tomorrow for the vitiligo.  

Anyway..  no more unsafe sex for me.

Thanks kindly,

RCF  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks for the input, Dr. Hook.  Having the 30 point drop in my TC on my last blood panel is concerning in light of that potential, but I'll attempt to stay brave!   I have altered my health habits in the last year with diet and exercise, but nothing that would precipitate a 30 point drop as far as I know.

I hope your original response is right.  
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Not sure about the origins of the cholesterol comment. HIV is a systemic diease and, in its avanced stages can raise havoc with just about any part of normal physiology.  In such instances, I would not be suprised to hear about decreased cholesterol in late infection.  

Take care.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal

Relax I shall.  Yeah.. I have suspected that the convergence theory might be in effect here, but my ever inquisitive nature is persistent to a fault sometimes.   So, at the end of the day, I'll either forget this and go have a beer, or I'll get tested, and go have a beer(!)

With regard to the cholesterol issue, and how HIV will or will not initially impact TC in a newly infected individual, do you have any insight?  It just seems to ring true that a body that is being transitioned in such a dramatic way would endure some metabolic changes.

Thanks for your help in giving me some peace of mind.  

rcf
Helpful - 0

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