Possible hiv risk, showing some symptoms

[pleasehelpmeplease]

Hi, I've read many of your post and you seem to have very good advice to offer people so I was looking for some of my own.  I'm a healthy young male with no previous health problems who engaged in a recent activity (first and only time) with a transvestite.  Not sure how I got myself into the situation, but oral was performed on me and without much notice I ended up performing oral for a period of 20-30 seconds (not sure exactly, caught up in the moment).  No ejaculation occured on their end, but yes on my end, I don't know about precum on their end though.  I brushed my teeth about 45 minutes before this activity took place.  This happened approximately 5 weeks ago.  I was able to contact the person and reassured me that they were hiv negative later, for some reason, I have my doubts.  

I went in for testing at weeks 1,3,4.  Got rapid hiv test each time and tested myself for all other std's including a herpes blood test.  All of my results everytime have come back negative.  I know from your previous threads mentioned how 4 weeks was a pretty good time table (85-90%), but when would you recommend further testing for me and is a rapid test pretty conclusive?

The only reason I am concerned is because I am feeling symptoms.  I'm sleeping a lot (10-11 hours a night), very fatigued throughout the day (not eating all the time), loss of appetite, night sweats on the lower half of my body, my vision seems a little distorted, not much, but a little, some constipation and some diahreha.  The only other problem I am feeling is my legs are also going to sleep mainly at night, but sometimes during the day.  These symptoms started a few weeks ago, getting worse at times (seem better now, but we are now 5 weeks out).  I saw my local health care provider at 3 and 4 1/2 weeks, who I explained my situation to and who tested my blood for everything just to see if everything was alright (not hiv, said it wasn't necessary, due to such low risk and I should come back for that in 3-6 months), he said I was in good working order.  If I had an std/hiv would normal blood test show any irregularities?

I know my risk was low (probably not low enough), but I am concerned about what routes I should take next and when you recommend further testing if at all, I appreciate all your help and look forward to hearing from you, thanks!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I didn't say you had no symptoms.  I said they don't suggest HIV infection.  And yes, someone has symptoms due to HIV, routine antibody testing generally is positive within 10 days of start of symptoms.

Many people who acquire HIV do so without also catching other STDs.  It happens all the time.

Tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia are valid within a few days after exposure.  Syphilis blood test 4-6 weeks, herpes 3 months.

[pleasehelpmeplease]

Thanks for your quick response, it makes life a little easier.  If someone was showing symptoms like I suggest (you claim they weren't symptoms), I presumed that for an HIV test they would have tested positive correct?  Even at an early stage in the disease (4 weeks ago after the possible exposure was my last test, hiv quick test)

You also suggest to possibly retest for other std's(didn't recommend it, just suggested it), do some take longer to show results than others?  

One more thing, do you ever see someone contract hiv and hiv only?  I see you suggest in other threads sometimes it easier passed with other std's.  I was wondering if most people who have hiv, do they have other std's?

This has really made me more aware of everything and sites such as yours have been a great help, thanks for everything and keep up the good work!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

A brief response, which you can predict if in fact you have read several threads:  Symptoms NEVER reliably indicate new HIV infection, and test results ALWAYS are more reliable than symptoms.  The negative test result at 4 weeks proves your symptoms are not due to HIV.  Period.  And your symptoms don't sound like HIV anyway.  And on top of all that, you have seen a doctor who reassured you.

No, routine blood tests are not reliable in detecting STDs.  But since you're having no STD symptoms, I wouldn't worry about it.  But if still nervous, ask your doc about testing your for gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and perhaps herpes.  But I really don't think you need it.

Good luck--  HHH, MD