Aa
Really anxious about HIV symptoms
Hello doctor
I've been trying to figure out what been wrong with me for the past 2 month and this is one of the biggest concerns I have. I've had sex with about 10 sex workers in a span about 2 months. Ever since early December I've noticed symptoms first with a "cold or flu" for 2 weeks and then some penile and prostate discomfort went on anitbiotics and now recently I've once again caught a "cold/flu" but I had a sore throat after the antibiotics which felt like I had a mild canker sore in my throat. Accompanying the cold/flu I've got this pain in my wrist which I don't know if considered a joint pain or not because I can use the tip of my finger to pin point the pain with pressure(I'm thinking maybe the possibility of a lymph node being pressured by joint) and same goes for my shoulder. I also feel pain on my left chest and I guess one of the more nerve racking symptom is I feel mildly jittery through out the day which is accompanied by feeling cold and anxious. I don't really know how to check for lymph nodes but the only ones I could feel are the ones under my jaw. I've read Post from other people and seems as though I haven't put myself at risk since only unprotected oral and protected vaginal sex was performed on me, but here's the thing I realized I usually shave my pubic hair and maybe tiny cuts that I'm not aware of maybe an entry point that put me at risk. What is your take on this situation? Also I've done an HIV test at about the 5-6 week mark I don't know what kind of test it is but they pricked my finger to draw blood and said if there is only 1 dot on the membrane then it's a negative. 3 mins later nurse comes back tells me it's negative. I'm still waiting for the 3 month/84day mark. But in the back of my mind I'm worried because of those random jittery feel and pain that does not feel like muscle aches.
I've been trying to figure out what been wrong with me for the past 2 month and this is one of the biggest concerns I have. I've had sex with about 10 sex workers in a span about 2 months. Ever since early December I've noticed symptoms first with a "cold or flu" for 2 weeks and then some penile and prostate discomfort went on anitbiotics and now recently I've once again caught a "cold/flu" but I had a sore throat after the antibiotics which felt like I had a mild canker sore in my throat. Accompanying the cold/flu I've got this pain in my wrist which I don't know if considered a joint pain or not because I can use the tip of my finger to pin point the pain with pressure(I'm thinking maybe the possibility of a lymph node being pressured by joint) and same goes for my shoulder. I also feel pain on my left chest and I guess one of the more nerve racking symptom is I feel mildly jittery through out the day which is accompanied by feeling cold and anxious. I don't really know how to check for lymph nodes but the only ones I could feel are the ones under my jaw. I've read Post from other people and seems as though I haven't put myself at risk since only unprotected oral and protected vaginal sex was performed on me, but here's the thing I realized I usually shave my pubic hair and maybe tiny cuts that I'm not aware of maybe an entry point that put me at risk. What is your take on this situation? Also I've done an HIV test at about the 5-6 week mark I don't know what kind of test it is but they pricked my finger to draw blood and said if there is only 1 dot on the membrane then it's a negative. 3 mins later nurse comes back tells me it's negative. I'm still waiting for the 3 month/84day mark. But in the back of my mind I'm worried because of those random jittery feel and pain that does not feel like muscle aches.
good luck to you sunnylee but given the chances I'd say you don't even need the luck =)
Hello Johnmoon,
Congratulation to you. Wish me the best for my test too. I will be testing end of this month (to reach my 12 weeks mark).
Glad for you.
Congratulation to you. Wish me the best for my test too. I will be testing end of this month (to reach my 12 weeks mark).
Glad for you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Glad to hear your test result. Of course, you are the only one who is suprised! But best wishes to you.
Hello doctor I would like to thank you for your time and advice it has helped me a lot this past week and a half. I went to get tested for HIV again this earlier today and it came back NEGATIVE!!! I'm so relieved that I get to move on with life and now I just have to talk to a family doctor about my anxiety episodes that I get through out the day. =D
Doctor I'm very grateful for your help and I thank you very much. I trust your prediction and agree with you that I should consult a doctor for these non STD related symptoms. And just would like to note that I trust you because you are a doctor in this field with many years of experience compared to myself which have only done some random research on this illness incase anyone else in similar situation is reading this post.
I will update my status when I do the test at the 3 month mark just as the sexual health clinic doctor suggested.
I will update my status when I do the test at the 3 month mark just as the sexual health clinic doctor suggested.
Hello sunny I don't mind the input. I know you're just trying to be supportive and I appreciate it. I really hope you are right as well I mean ever since this situation my sky high libido and love for food pretty much dropped rock bottom and I'm trying to recover mentally. Unfortunately I can't afford to get treatment from a psychiatrist or psychologist so I'm trying to atleast get the facts about my situation so I don't make irrational assumptions with my pessimistic mind state and burden people around me.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No offense taken. However, as I said, blood test results rule. It doesn't matter how high your risk of exposure was, whether you shaved, etc. Your test result shows you weren't infected, period -- so I'm not going to play a "what if" game.
We always advise all forum users to follow their doctors' advice. And in your case, the main reason for that is to learn the cause of your illnes -- not primarily for repeat HIV testing.
The "right impression" you should gain from all this is that you can be confident you did not catch HIV. And please note that this opinions is not based only on the test results, but on the totality of the evidence you give: expousre that are statistically low risk plus symptoms that are not typical for a new HIV infection.
Please work to accept the scientific evidence plus the reasoned reassurance you have had. Also, you may be interested to know that in the 8 year history of this forum, Dr. Hook and I have never been wrong in our prediction that someone didn't have HIV; and there has never been anyone on the forum who actually got infected. You can be confident you aren't going to be the first.
That wlll be all for this thread. Take care.
We always advise all forum users to follow their doctors' advice. And in your case, the main reason for that is to learn the cause of your illnes -- not primarily for repeat HIV testing.
The "right impression" you should gain from all this is that you can be confident you did not catch HIV. And please note that this opinions is not based only on the test results, but on the totality of the evidence you give: expousre that are statistically low risk plus symptoms that are not typical for a new HIV infection.
Please work to accept the scientific evidence plus the reasoned reassurance you have had. Also, you may be interested to know that in the 8 year history of this forum, Dr. Hook and I have never been wrong in our prediction that someone didn't have HIV; and there has never been anyone on the forum who actually got infected. You can be confident you aren't going to be the first.
That wlll be all for this thread. Take care.
Thanks for your reply doctor. I just have some questions that hasn't really been covered. pretty much does the shaving create a risk/entry point a valid reason to be tested and also when you said to continue to work with my doctor about the symptoms I'm having and follow their advice on future HIV testing, what's the reason behind that recommendation because I've seen usually your reply to testing is any more testing after a conclusive negative result would be a waste of money. Also the 2nd "flu/cold" symptoms came after the HIV test. I don't mean to question your reply or offend you. If I have I'm sorry but I'm just not sure what to make of that part of the reply and want to get the right impression. Thank you.
Hi Johnmoon,
I hope you and Dr. Handsfield would not mind that I reply to you on this in your thread.
But, I wouldn't say that you have had loss of appetite. You are most probably worrying too much that you do not feel like eating. Eating has a lot to do with your mood. If you feel anxious, unhappy...logically you won't feel like eating.
I guess loss of appetite is more to...you don't feel like eating although there's nothing bothers you.
That's just my opinion. Sorry if you and Dr. Handsfield find me interrupting.
I hope you and Dr. Handsfield would not mind that I reply to you on this in your thread.
But, I wouldn't say that you have had loss of appetite. You are most probably worrying too much that you do not feel like eating. Eating has a lot to do with your mood. If you feel anxious, unhappy...logically you won't feel like eating.
I guess loss of appetite is more to...you don't feel like eating although there's nothing bothers you.
That's just my opinion. Sorry if you and Dr. Handsfield find me interrupting.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. I'll try to help. By the way, I reviewed your thread with Ms. Warren on the herpes forum and agree with her advice. I'll just add an editorial comment, one I have made before: I agree that Canadian public health guidelines about HSV antibody testing, which have been accepted by most STD clinics, are nonsensical. Not that I think you have herpes; I agree it is extremely unlikely. But still, there are valid roles for HSV blood tests and many Canadian public health authorities have their heads in the sand. There are other experts in your country who are trying to change things, but we'll have to wait a while to see if reason prevails.
As for your symptoms, I don't know the cause. However, they don't sound like those of a new HIV infection, and your negative HIV test 5-6 weeks after your last sexual exposure proves it. Not only are the antibody tests (including the rapid fingerstick tests) almost always positive by that time, but the tests are always positive within a week or two of onset of HIV symtoms. For definitive results, you really don't need to wait 12-13 weeks; 6-8 weeks generally is definitive. (Or you could have a combo test, for both HIV antibody and p24 antigen; that test is 100% reliable any time after 4 weeks.)
I would recommend you continue to work with your doctor about your symptoms, and follow his or her advice about future HIV testing. But you can be absolutely sure you don't have HIV. No other STD is likely to be responsible either. I doubt your symptoms have anything to do with your sexual exposures or lifestyle.
Good lucki-- HHH, MD
As for your symptoms, I don't know the cause. However, they don't sound like those of a new HIV infection, and your negative HIV test 5-6 weeks after your last sexual exposure proves it. Not only are the antibody tests (including the rapid fingerstick tests) almost always positive by that time, but the tests are always positive within a week or two of onset of HIV symtoms. For definitive results, you really don't need to wait 12-13 weeks; 6-8 weeks generally is definitive. (Or you could have a combo test, for both HIV antibody and p24 antigen; that test is 100% reliable any time after 4 weeks.)
I would recommend you continue to work with your doctor about your symptoms, and follow his or her advice about future HIV testing. But you can be absolutely sure you don't have HIV. No other STD is likely to be responsible either. I doubt your symptoms have anything to do with your sexual exposures or lifestyle.
Good lucki-- HHH, MD
Also wanted to add that I haven't really had an appetite for about a month now when before all this happen I would crave food.
You are reading content posted in the HIV - Prevention Forum
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
