Quite Worried About Symptoms

[HELPME98]

Hello Dr HHH or Dr Hook,

I had an encounter exactly 7 weeks ago.  It was protected vaginal and oral intercourse.  I also fingered her quite a bit..  She was a prostitute in a brothel.  As far as I know, I did not have any problems with the condom, but I cannot be sure.  I also washed after intercourse, does that increase the risk?  Since that time I've felt very poorly.  I developed a rash shortly after the encounter that lasted a few days (on my legs). I noticed my skin was becoming very dry all over my body.  My joints hurt all over my body. 25 days post encounter I had an antibody/antigen test, results were negative.

On around the 5th week my sore throat became extremely irritated.  To the point that water eventually hurt it.  Also, a little while before this, I'd begun to have night sweats.  I recently noticed that my skin is irritated by any little thing.  My hands and feet are often quite red, and have small patches of pigment that I never before noticed.  I've also begun to break out in a rash all over my torso.  This rash comes and goes.  Here is a link to a picture of it:
http://yfrog.com/eu20100420125936j
[URL=http://img534.imageshack.us/i/20100420125936.jpg/][IMG]http://img534.imageshack.us/img534/7822/20100420125936.th.jpg[/IMG][/URL]

Uploaded with [URL=http://imageshack.us]ImageShack.us[/URL]

The rash seems to come and go, especially when I'm warm.  It's accompanied by an outbreak of acne all over the same area.  Could you tell me if that looks like the ARS rash?  I've also broken out in pimples all over my face, and I've always had relatively clear skin.

The night sweats have now become VERY VERY intense.  To the point that last night I had to change three times.  I also have woken up several times during the night and find it hard to fall back asleep.  My sense of hearing and sight also seem to be more intense.  I feel as though I am more sensitive to light and to sharp noises, and I feel as though my balance is not what it was.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The terms EIA and ELISA refer to the same sort of test and the results are comparable.  In addition, the performance characteristics quoted to you are overly conservative as well. At 7 weeks well over 95% of HIV infections would be detectable.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The thread is over.  Asking additonal anxiety-driven questions is a waste of time.  As I have told you multiple times, you have no reason to be worried about HIV at this time. EWH

[HELPME98]

I would appreciate an answer to my last question.  Should I pay for a new thread?

[HELPME98]

Thank you again Doctor Hook.  Much your help is much appreciated.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You have read my comments correctly. I will not repeat myself.  This will end this thread. Take care.  EWH

[HELPME98]

Thank you again Dr Hook.  I appreciate your assessment of my situation, and your taking time to answer my questions.  Just to reiterate, you've stated that I should not have a reason to worry, firstly because of my encounter being no-risk, and the negative tests backing this up?  And the symptoms are not related, and probably due to some other cause, possibly anxiety, doxycycline side affects, and maybe some other community acquired illness such as a cold or some other such thing?  I apologize for asking again, just appreciate the reassurance.  From what I seem to have read, the rash from ARS would not come and go, and especially not go away by simply drinking water, correct?  With those questions answered, I'll consider this thread done, and will not bother you further.

Enjoy your weekend,
ESR

[Edward W Hook, MD]

the other blood tests neither help nor hurt.  The HIV blood test is the way to diagnose HIV and to try to determine HIV risk from other, non-specfic blood tests is not a relaible way to assess HIV risk.  EWH

[HELPME98]

Dr Hook,

Thank you for confirming that.  Even the operator told me that he thought it was overly conservative, but had to quote figures accordingly for legal purposes.

Furthermore, if you could just answer the bit regarding the blood tests.  I asked what these entail and they told me that they measure white blood cell count, red blood cell count, glucose, pH levels, enzymes, bacteria, and many other abbreviations that the lady was unsure of the meaning.  All of these were within normal ranges and I was told had nothing to worry about.  They told me that this combined with the negative test results should give me a good indication of my status.  Do these tests tend to confirm that I am not suffering from ARS and have not acquired the virus?  

I appreciate your help on the matter doctor, I feel much, much more comfortable after hearing these results and would just like to be able to move on with my life and forget the whole unfortunate incident.  Symptoms I know, are meaningless, yet, when dealing with such a delicate subject, it can be difficult to tell your brain that you're OK, especially when coincidental symptoms pop up.  

Thank you again.
ESR

[HELPME98]

Good Morning Dr Hook,

I've gotten my test results back this morning.  I was negative for HIV, syphilis, hepatitis (all types), Tests for clamydia, and herpes will be available on monday.  And my blood counts were "within a normal range".  The only abnormality noticed was that my "urine was cloudy", which I don't see as a terrible reason for concern, since this may well be caused by the numerous vitamins I take.

The company through whom I tested were not terribly assured that these tests were accurate at the seven week mark.  Quoting me maybe 80%.  I know from reading the forum that you say ELISA tests at this point are around 95% if not more?  I believe they preformed an ELISA, as the results were not available same day.  Would ELISA results be available the next day?  Or would this suggest it was an EIA, making it less accurate at this time?  Also, given that I've had symptoms, would the blood counts show any abnormality, and should take the fact that they're within normal range as confirmation of the negativity of my results?

Best Regards, and Deepest Gratitude,
ESR

[HELPME98]

Dr Hook,

Thank you for your prompt, speedy answer.  I hadn't worried terribly until the night sweats increased in intensity.  The sore throat somewhat bothered me, but not terribly, then the rash, I got a bit tense yes, but then the night sweats just sent me off the edge.

Were you able to access the image of the rash?  I'd always had sensitive skin and had read that Doxycycline could cause photosensitive skin, but was not sure if it could also cause a reoccurring, hive like, maculopapular like, rash (I'm also not really sure if the rash I'm experiencing is truly maculopapular).  I do greatly appreciate hearing that from a professional such as yourself.  I try to avoid the internet as much as possible when dealing with symptoms, except for forums from informed experts, as yourself.  I've since finished with Doxycycline and waiting for it to leave my system.

I'm hoping for a good nights sleep as a posed to the nights of late, I will be able to receive
my test results tomorrow morning.  When I do, is it alright that I consult your here in the forum regarding blood counts and etc?  I'm hoping the results are negative for STDs, but I'm afraid I would not understand the meaning of blood counts and the likes and would appreciate some expert interpretation.

Thank you again
ESR

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  You have no reason for concern. for starters, it is unlikely that your partner had HIV- most commercial sex workers o not. Even if she did, your exposure was condom protected and condom protected sex is safe sex.  You can also be confident that your condom did not fail since when condoms fail they break wide open and there is no doubt that they have failed.  Similarly, there is no risk for HIV related to the fact that you masturbated her.

As for your symptoms, they are not due to HIV but have some other cause.  I say this because of the non-existent risk for infection related to your exposure and related to your negative blood tests at 5.5 weeks when about 95% of HIV infections acquired 5 weeks earlier would be detectable.  

Your doxycycline will not affect your tests but it could be the cause of some of your symptoms, particularly the rash.

I repeat, no reason to worry about HIV. Take care. EWH

[HELPME98]

I had an antibody test at 5.5 weeks and it also came back negative.  I have not had a fever to the best of my knowledge. This morning I had a complete STD panel and blood analysis tests, and I will find out the results tomorrow.
Also, since the encounter, my testicles have been very sensitive, and stung a bit.  Does it sound like any STD?  I also had been on Doxycycline, would that affect my tests?