Aa
Scared Out of My Mind...
I will try to keep this as simple as possible. For reference I am a male in his late 20's.
9 weeks ago I had unprotected sex with a girl I'd been trying to see for a while that I had met. Ironically I am less worried about this instance than another one I had 4 weeks ago (with another girl) that ONLY involved unprotected oral sex (giving and receiving).
I've always prided myself on at least knowing what the signs/symptoms of STD's are and in the past I've certainly made better decisions than in recent memory.
That why when 12 days ago when I started to feel unwell I became concerned. I've had thrush on my tongue, swollen tonsils (with pus), fatigue, weird zits on face and arms, fever and no one knows what's wrong with me! My tongue has tiny blisters and my mouth feels like it's burning easily. Negative Mono, Negative FLU and Negative Strep all taken a five days ago. This illness has lasted nearly two weeks and antibiotics have done nothing! Here it is ARS! 2 weeks + after my encounter!
So I freaked out and immediately did the Oraquick oral swab test (about 2 weeks ago / 7 weeks after 1st encounter) and then at the 8 week mark of my 1st intercourse I took another (both Negative). But my symptoms have gotten worse and I feel worse! Is it possible I have gotten HIV from either of these encounters? My last test was 8 weeks after my 1st partner and 3 weeks after my 2nd (strictly oral) partner. I'm sincerely about to lose my mind and I can't focus at work!!! Last of 3 doctors visits ended with doc thinking I had inflammation of some virus - but not sure what??? I thought oral was low risk???
9 weeks ago I had unprotected sex with a girl I'd been trying to see for a while that I had met. Ironically I am less worried about this instance than another one I had 4 weeks ago (with another girl) that ONLY involved unprotected oral sex (giving and receiving).
I've always prided myself on at least knowing what the signs/symptoms of STD's are and in the past I've certainly made better decisions than in recent memory.
That why when 12 days ago when I started to feel unwell I became concerned. I've had thrush on my tongue, swollen tonsils (with pus), fatigue, weird zits on face and arms, fever and no one knows what's wrong with me! My tongue has tiny blisters and my mouth feels like it's burning easily. Negative Mono, Negative FLU and Negative Strep all taken a five days ago. This illness has lasted nearly two weeks and antibiotics have done nothing! Here it is ARS! 2 weeks + after my encounter!
So I freaked out and immediately did the Oraquick oral swab test (about 2 weeks ago / 7 weeks after 1st encounter) and then at the 8 week mark of my 1st intercourse I took another (both Negative). But my symptoms have gotten worse and I feel worse! Is it possible I have gotten HIV from either of these encounters? My last test was 8 weeks after my 1st partner and 3 weeks after my 2nd (strictly oral) partner. I'm sincerely about to lose my mind and I can't focus at work!!! Last of 3 doctors visits ended with doc thinking I had inflammation of some virus - but not sure what??? I thought oral was low risk???
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
I understand your concern about the symptoms following sexual contact with the new partner. However, you definitely did not acquire HIV. Almost certainly you only have a rather severe but otherwise garden variety respiratory virus. Antibiotics have no effect on any viral infection; they only benefit bacterial infections.
The modern, standard HIV tests always overrule exposure history and symptoms, as long as sufficient time has passed since exposure. No matter how high-risk the exposures seemed to be and no matter how "typical" the symptoms for ARS, your negative tests are conclusive in relation to the first exposure and nearly so following the second.
Oral sex is virtually zero risk anyway. OTOH, another possibility might be herpes -- the first oral infection with HSV usually also causes multiple sores in the mouth and often on the lips. However, strep-throat-like symptoms can occur, and the timing isn't bad. If your partner 3 weeks ago has either oral herpes (usually HSV-1) or genital (usually HSV-2), you could have acquired either virus by kissing or oral sex, respectively.
For those reasons, I agree with the doctors you have seen. You shouldn't be at all worried about HIV at this point. If the symptoms persist, you will need to continue to work with your doctors about the cause. But HIV simply isn't an issue here. But do discuss the herpes idea with your doctors, and if active oral/throat inflammation is continuing, have a swab test for HSV testing (preferably by PCR).
Minor final point: you cannot self-diagnose oral thrush. White coated tongue isn't the same thing.
I hope this information is helpful. I'll be interested to hear about HSV testing results if you do that.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
I understand your concern about the symptoms following sexual contact with the new partner. However, you definitely did not acquire HIV. Almost certainly you only have a rather severe but otherwise garden variety respiratory virus. Antibiotics have no effect on any viral infection; they only benefit bacterial infections.
The modern, standard HIV tests always overrule exposure history and symptoms, as long as sufficient time has passed since exposure. No matter how high-risk the exposures seemed to be and no matter how "typical" the symptoms for ARS, your negative tests are conclusive in relation to the first exposure and nearly so following the second.
Oral sex is virtually zero risk anyway. OTOH, another possibility might be herpes -- the first oral infection with HSV usually also causes multiple sores in the mouth and often on the lips. However, strep-throat-like symptoms can occur, and the timing isn't bad. If your partner 3 weeks ago has either oral herpes (usually HSV-1) or genital (usually HSV-2), you could have acquired either virus by kissing or oral sex, respectively.
For those reasons, I agree with the doctors you have seen. You shouldn't be at all worried about HIV at this point. If the symptoms persist, you will need to continue to work with your doctors about the cause. But HIV simply isn't an issue here. But do discuss the herpes idea with your doctors, and if active oral/throat inflammation is continuing, have a swab test for HSV testing (preferably by PCR).
Minor final point: you cannot self-diagnose oral thrush. White coated tongue isn't the same thing.
I hope this information is helpful. I'll be interested to hear about HSV testing results if you do that.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This probably isn't herpes, just a possibility. I suggest addressing these issues if and when an HSV infection is confirmed.
Dr. thank you for the quick reply. I had thought a lot about Herpes recently. One more question though. If I picked up HSV-1 (thought I read that would have happened in youth) or HSV-2 ... can I transmit HSV-2 now anytime I decide to go down on a girl? Meaning can I give someone Genital Herpes even though it was given to me orally? Probably worth being tested for both or at least 2 to know for sure?
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