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Concern Re: HIV Exposure & Understanding Test Results
Engaged in unprotected sex on the evening of March 23 with a stripper (terrible idea, I know!) and have been freaked out pretty much ever since.
I visited a clinic the following morning (March 24) and was given prophylactic treatment of Rocephin and Azithromycin. I also was given a 30-day prescription for PEP (Truvada + Kaletra) which I took dutifully for that entire period (through April 22).
I also had baseline tests run on March 26 by my urologist...from a baseline perspective, all was negative at that time.
I've been tested as recently as last week (ranging from 89-93 days since the "occasion" and 9 full weeks since my PEP regimen wrapped up) for the following, all NEGATIVE thus far:
* Hepatitis A/B/C - at 94 days
* Syphills (RPR and TPPA) - both at 89 days
* Gonorrhea
* Chlamydia
* HSV-2 - at 93 days
* HIV 1/2 (see below)
The HIV tests were conducted:
* At 89 days (59 days post-PEP): Rapid, MAIN-HIV-1-EIA, NAAT (I was told the NAAT screened for the RNA of both HIV 1 and HIV 2)
* At 93 days (63 days post-PEP): EIA HIV 1/2
Despite the negative tests, I'm still experiencing strange symptoms, including:
* I had what seemed like a rash (or perhaps just a bad outbreak of acne) at 6.5 weeks (2.5 weeks after PEP wrapped up) that cleared within about a week. I was also taking CIPRO at the time for what my urologist thought was epididymitis. The CIPRO also didn't seem to be working. My urologist switched me to doxycycline after that time (for 2 more weeks) to help further with the possible infection.
* Skin peeling from the palms of my hands (mainly along the folds in the palm)
* A small, painless white bump on the inside of my lower, left gum
* Some intermittent soreness in the roof of my mouth (near my teeth), almost like a burning feeling
* A couple small, round, brown dots (flat) on my elbow and one on the top of my left foot (though that one is now healed / gone)
* Some dull pain in my left testicle (I think some remnant empididimytis pain, but not sure) - I've had a history of empididimytis every few years that's not related to STD exposure (I'm sure of that)
* Some intermittent tingling in my index and pinky fingers (both hands), noticeable whenever I put pressure on my elbow area (Neurologist diagnosed as Cubital Tunnel syndrome, but the timing is suspicious)
* (I think) an increase in facial growths...what appear to be small warts mainly around my eyes. The look like large pimples but aren't going away...
I've also lost about 15-20 lbs over the period of April - May, though I think that may be due as much to curtailment of alcohol and stress during this period. Still, not sure though.
I haven't noticed any fever over this time, so I thankful for that! Additionally, I haven't had any classic genital outbreaks that may be associated w/ HSV.
My greatest concern at this point is the possibly of infecting others. What's most difficult with this entire situation is the fact that I have a loving wife and three children whom I dearly want to ensure the safety of. If I have contracted something, I'll find a way to live with it, but I refuse to expose anyone else!
After such a lengthy post, I really have just one question:
Is any more testing (for anything, but particularly HIV) warranted given the results I outlined above? I'm encouraged by the negative HIV NAT / RNA tests at three months / two months post-PEP, but I'm also not sure what delay the PEP course may have had and flummoxed by the weird symptoms I'm experiencing.
I'd like to chalk everything up to psychosis (and a good deal of guilt), but it would certainly help for a professional to advise as to whether I am (or am not) out of the proverbial woods.
Many thanks.
I visited a clinic the following morning (March 24) and was given prophylactic treatment of Rocephin and Azithromycin. I also was given a 30-day prescription for PEP (Truvada + Kaletra) which I took dutifully for that entire period (through April 22).
I also had baseline tests run on March 26 by my urologist...from a baseline perspective, all was negative at that time.
I've been tested as recently as last week (ranging from 89-93 days since the "occasion" and 9 full weeks since my PEP regimen wrapped up) for the following, all NEGATIVE thus far:
* Hepatitis A/B/C - at 94 days
* Syphills (RPR and TPPA) - both at 89 days
* Gonorrhea
* Chlamydia
* HSV-2 - at 93 days
* HIV 1/2 (see below)
The HIV tests were conducted:
* At 89 days (59 days post-PEP): Rapid, MAIN-HIV-1-EIA, NAAT (I was told the NAAT screened for the RNA of both HIV 1 and HIV 2)
* At 93 days (63 days post-PEP): EIA HIV 1/2
Despite the negative tests, I'm still experiencing strange symptoms, including:
* I had what seemed like a rash (or perhaps just a bad outbreak of acne) at 6.5 weeks (2.5 weeks after PEP wrapped up) that cleared within about a week. I was also taking CIPRO at the time for what my urologist thought was epididymitis. The CIPRO also didn't seem to be working. My urologist switched me to doxycycline after that time (for 2 more weeks) to help further with the possible infection.
* Skin peeling from the palms of my hands (mainly along the folds in the palm)
* A small, painless white bump on the inside of my lower, left gum
* Some intermittent soreness in the roof of my mouth (near my teeth), almost like a burning feeling
* A couple small, round, brown dots (flat) on my elbow and one on the top of my left foot (though that one is now healed / gone)
* Some dull pain in my left testicle (I think some remnant empididimytis pain, but not sure) - I've had a history of empididimytis every few years that's not related to STD exposure (I'm sure of that)
* Some intermittent tingling in my index and pinky fingers (both hands), noticeable whenever I put pressure on my elbow area (Neurologist diagnosed as Cubital Tunnel syndrome, but the timing is suspicious)
* (I think) an increase in facial growths...what appear to be small warts mainly around my eyes. The look like large pimples but aren't going away...
I've also lost about 15-20 lbs over the period of April - May, though I think that may be due as much to curtailment of alcohol and stress during this period. Still, not sure though.
I haven't noticed any fever over this time, so I thankful for that! Additionally, I haven't had any classic genital outbreaks that may be associated w/ HSV.
My greatest concern at this point is the possibly of infecting others. What's most difficult with this entire situation is the fact that I have a loving wife and three children whom I dearly want to ensure the safety of. If I have contracted something, I'll find a way to live with it, but I refuse to expose anyone else!
After such a lengthy post, I really have just one question:
Is any more testing (for anything, but particularly HIV) warranted given the results I outlined above? I'm encouraged by the negative HIV NAT / RNA tests at three months / two months post-PEP, but I'm also not sure what delay the PEP course may have had and flummoxed by the weird symptoms I'm experiencing.
I'd like to chalk everything up to psychosis (and a good deal of guilt), but it would certainly help for a professional to advise as to whether I am (or am not) out of the proverbial woods.
Many thanks.
Best Answer
Thank you very much -- and appreciate the affirmation that stress is likely driving my "symptoms".
The partner was NOT confirmed +...I was just concerned enough I suppose that the Dr. relented in prescribing nPEP.
Two follow up questions if I may:
1.) given the promising results of the HIV antibody tests to this point, can I infer still more conclusive results from the NAT (RNA) tests?
2.) Do you think the other STI tests are all conclusive at this point (3 months)?
The partner was NOT confirmed +...I was just concerned enough I suppose that the Dr. relented in prescribing nPEP.
Two follow up questions if I may:
1.) given the promising results of the HIV antibody tests to this point, can I infer still more conclusive results from the NAT (RNA) tests?
2.) Do you think the other STI tests are all conclusive at this point (3 months)?
3 months after your last day pep gives you conclusive result. Negative status at 2 months is very encouraging and almost conclusive.
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A conclusive result would be 3 months from your last dose of the nPEP. Your results are not going to change at this point. You can count on a negative result at the 3 month mark. NOTHING you describe is suspicious for HIV symptoms at all...most of them sound anxiety related.