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HIV Prevention (Expert Forum)
Complications w/ HIV infection???
Answered by
Edward W Hook, MD - HIV Prevention, stds
Complications w/ HIV infection???
by drj061299, Nov 11, 2007 05:30PM
In mid Aug. I had unprotected sex w a guy (I'm a female) + was tested 4 weeks later for HIV, herpes, chlam and ghon. All came back negative from those tests, but I had a yeast infection, whihc I've never had before. At 11 weeks I went to the clinic to test for syph and retest for HIV, herpes and yeast. Doc said I had BV, and gave me Rx for Flagyl (500 mg twice a day for one week). After being on Flagyl for 5 days, I noticed an itchy rash on my armpits. I showed my mother, she said "it's definitely yeast, I get it under my breasts every time I go on any strong antibiotic" I have no health insurance so I haven't had it checked out yet. Then, just after I finished the Rx I developed serious thrush on my tongue (friday morning). Later that day the clinic called and told me everything came back negative.
Is an 11 week test conclusive? I read that Oral thrush and yeast are symptoms of advanced HIV. In order for these symptoms to be due to HIV would I have had be HIV positive for a while? It seems to me that if the HIV infection was causing these kinds of complications that the blood test would've picked the infection up by then, even thought it was one week before the 12 week mark. (My blood was drawn a few days before all this yeast stuff began)
Is an 11 week test conclusive? I read that Oral thrush and yeast are symptoms of advanced HIV. In order for these symptoms to be due to HIV would I have had be HIV positive for a while? It seems to me that if the HIV infection was causing these kinds of complications that the blood test would've picked the infection up by then, even thought it was one week before the 12 week mark. (My blood was drawn a few days before all this yeast stuff began)
Doctor's Answer
by Edward W Hook, MD, Nov 11, 2007 07:49PM
, Nov 11, 2007 07:49PMTo: drj061299
The 11 week test is over 98% conclusive and in your case, almost certainly indicates that you did not acquire HIV. As you mention, thrush is a sign of late HIV infection, occurring after people have been infected for years.
Thrush and fungal skin infections are very common in people who do not have HIV so the fact that you may have one now is not by any means suggestive that you have HIV. The skin rash identifed by your Mom may indeed be yeast and you may have thrush as well following taking a course of antibiotics. Both tend to occur becasue the antibiotic not only kills the bacteria they target but also bacteria that are normally in/on our bodies which help us to resist infections like thrush. When the antibiotics kill off the normal bacteria, fungal infections, including thrush may take their place. When the antibiotics are finished the infections tend to go away by themselves. The rash under your armpit is essentially diaper rash and can be treated so it will go away faster with many of the same powders/creams intended for diaper rash which are available OTC. Be careful however, some of these stain clothes when they get on them. The oral thrush is a bit more difficult. Mouthwashes containng nystatin may help if you can find them. Alternatively, you may need to seek the assistance of a health care professional. In this case your local health department may be able to either provide or tell you about low cost options.
Good luck. Do not worry about HIV, you did not get it. EWH
Thrush and fungal skin infections are very common in people who do not have HIV so the fact that you may have one now is not by any means suggestive that you have HIV. The skin rash identifed by your Mom may indeed be yeast and you may have thrush as well following taking a course of antibiotics. Both tend to occur becasue the antibiotic not only kills the bacteria they target but also bacteria that are normally in/on our bodies which help us to resist infections like thrush. When the antibiotics kill off the normal bacteria, fungal infections, including thrush may take their place. When the antibiotics are finished the infections tend to go away by themselves. The rash under your armpit is essentially diaper rash and can be treated so it will go away faster with many of the same powders/creams intended for diaper rash which are available OTC. Be careful however, some of these stain clothes when they get on them. The oral thrush is a bit more difficult. Mouthwashes containng nystatin may help if you can find them. Alternatively, you may need to seek the assistance of a health care professional. In this case your local health department may be able to either provide or tell you about low cost options.
Good luck. Do not worry about HIV, you did not get it. EWH
I was freaking out thinking I got HIV even though my 4,6 and 9 weeks tests are negative.
I hope this helps.