Your opinion please

[needtoknow723]

Hi Doc.
I’ll get right to the point. I am an older Bi  male that has got himself into oral sex and swallow ejaculate when I perform oral. I do ask their status and do pay close attention to my oral health.
Five days ago I awoke with a server dry cough that basically shut down my wind pipe for a few seconds. Since that time I have this very dry cough which presents during the day at times and at night all the time.  I have never had a fever and other than a few muscles aches in the leg feel fine.
I read on a site that the only ARS symptom associated with the respiratory system would be a dry cough. That of course has me worried. I know testing is the only answer however in your opinion would a single symptom like dry cough be an indicator you would suspect HIV infection?
Any other advice would be very much appreciated.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Throat irritation often leads to cough.  As to whether your throat tickle is due to an STD, that is harder to say.  For the most part however most oral STDs are asymptomatic.  My guess would be that you have a "run or the mill", minor irriation, perhaps viral in origin.  the only way to detect oral STDs is with testing.

Hope this helps. Stay safe.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our forum.  There is no reason for you to worry.  First, there are no cases in which HIV has been proven to be transmitted by oral sex- none, zero, not one.  Second, an isolated dry cough is not among the signs that are associated with early HIV infection.  When persons become ill related to early HIV they have a mixture of signs and symptoms- there is no isolated symptom such as cough which signal early HIV.  

Bottom line- nohtin yo mention suggests any need to worry.  EWH

[needtoknow723]

Thanks for the prompt reply. One follow up please.

This cough begins with a tremendous throat tickle. Could an STD be the culprit?

Will not bother you again. Have a great day and thanks for the help