Aa
Concerned about HIV infection.
Hello Dr,
I am a gay man of 20 years old. On February 12, I had a lot to drink and made some choices which meant
I took part in risky behaviour. I had anal sex which was unprotected with a man I had just met. Following
that encounter I did not experience anything for 6 weeks, I got tested at 5 weeks, rapid test and ELISA test
which were negative. I then had a bit of a runny nose which i usually get every now and then. Thoguht I felt
a bit malaise. I saw a rash in my inner arm, whether or not it was there before I really don't know. But it was very
small, looks a bit like Stretch Mark stries, as it's different in colour to the rest of my skin when stretched like
a pale pink/white colour. However looks like a spotty-ish rash when i tense my muscle. Its symetrical in the same place on each inner arm. A few days later I had muscle aches in my leg, arm and also pains in my joints. They weren't very severe. However this all seemed to happen symptom after symptom. I also had a bit of a headache.
I got tested again at week 7 and that was negative. However I am still convinced I may have HIV. I started developing very tingling lips, and also tingling on my cheek. I wondered if it might be herpes. I remember seeing something on the guys mouth. Again this may have increased my risk of HIV. I havent had a fever yet and the rash
hasn't spread everywhere its been in the same place for the last almost 2 weeks now. The doctor told me that
the rash does not look like an HIV rash and is probably a heat rash but why would it be in my inner arms. Also
my mum who's a nurse said it looks like stretch marks as I have recently had rapid weight gain over the last year.
Again why isnt the rash on my belly instead. These joint pains are in my fingers, elbow, ankle and I read they are part of HIV symptoms. However i tested negative at 7 weeks again and I am immune to Hepatitis B. I am waiting 5 weeks for a conclusive test but I am nervous. I think I could have. If it is I got herpes what could be casuing all these joint pains, tingling lips and small muscle aches. Sometimes the ache feels more like burning when it's in my muscles. These tingling lips have been tingling and its all over the lip and then I have no sores developing. Its all began in the last 2 weeks. Are all these HIV symptoms. It was one big mistake and it happened but there's nothing I can do but wait. I am really nervous and any professional advise would be appreciated whilst I wait out till the 3 month mark. Also I heard some people are undiagnosed for over 6 months. Could I be one of them. These symptoms make me certain I have something. It can't just be coincidence. I have been drinking a lot and when going out have shared or as a dare picked up some people's drinks in a night club which again was silly. I'm a student and often get carried away. I am begining to learn to just calm down but it's probably too late. Anyway I don't know if it's all coincident or I have something. I don't even know what it is. When i was anxious I lost a lot of appetite which i seem to be getting back. I would spend days in bed too but now I am slightly more active. I just need to understand what is going on. 7 weeks negative, 5 more weeks to wait. If that's negative what if it shows positive in a year? I heard it happen to some people. When you go to a gum clinic and get routine test what does the test test for? I got told it was the Virus as well as the Antibodies. So, how accurate are their tests. I am sure I have a good immune system anyway as I am hardly ever ill so surely there should be antibody responses by now in my body.
I am a gay man of 20 years old. On February 12, I had a lot to drink and made some choices which meant
I took part in risky behaviour. I had anal sex which was unprotected with a man I had just met. Following
that encounter I did not experience anything for 6 weeks, I got tested at 5 weeks, rapid test and ELISA test
which were negative. I then had a bit of a runny nose which i usually get every now and then. Thoguht I felt
a bit malaise. I saw a rash in my inner arm, whether or not it was there before I really don't know. But it was very
small, looks a bit like Stretch Mark stries, as it's different in colour to the rest of my skin when stretched like
a pale pink/white colour. However looks like a spotty-ish rash when i tense my muscle. Its symetrical in the same place on each inner arm. A few days later I had muscle aches in my leg, arm and also pains in my joints. They weren't very severe. However this all seemed to happen symptom after symptom. I also had a bit of a headache.
I got tested again at week 7 and that was negative. However I am still convinced I may have HIV. I started developing very tingling lips, and also tingling on my cheek. I wondered if it might be herpes. I remember seeing something on the guys mouth. Again this may have increased my risk of HIV. I havent had a fever yet and the rash
hasn't spread everywhere its been in the same place for the last almost 2 weeks now. The doctor told me that
the rash does not look like an HIV rash and is probably a heat rash but why would it be in my inner arms. Also
my mum who's a nurse said it looks like stretch marks as I have recently had rapid weight gain over the last year.
Again why isnt the rash on my belly instead. These joint pains are in my fingers, elbow, ankle and I read they are part of HIV symptoms. However i tested negative at 7 weeks again and I am immune to Hepatitis B. I am waiting 5 weeks for a conclusive test but I am nervous. I think I could have. If it is I got herpes what could be casuing all these joint pains, tingling lips and small muscle aches. Sometimes the ache feels more like burning when it's in my muscles. These tingling lips have been tingling and its all over the lip and then I have no sores developing. Its all began in the last 2 weeks. Are all these HIV symptoms. It was one big mistake and it happened but there's nothing I can do but wait. I am really nervous and any professional advise would be appreciated whilst I wait out till the 3 month mark. Also I heard some people are undiagnosed for over 6 months. Could I be one of them. These symptoms make me certain I have something. It can't just be coincidence. I have been drinking a lot and when going out have shared or as a dare picked up some people's drinks in a night club which again was silly. I'm a student and often get carried away. I am begining to learn to just calm down but it's probably too late. Anyway I don't know if it's all coincident or I have something. I don't even know what it is. When i was anxious I lost a lot of appetite which i seem to be getting back. I would spend days in bed too but now I am slightly more active. I just need to understand what is going on. 7 weeks negative, 5 more weeks to wait. If that's negative what if it shows positive in a year? I heard it happen to some people. When you go to a gum clinic and get routine test what does the test test for? I got told it was the Virus as well as the Antibodies. So, how accurate are their tests. I am sure I have a good immune system anyway as I am hardly ever ill so surely there should be antibody responses by now in my body.
Im so sorry Nurse, i have took everything you said on board. Its just very hard when you feel "abnormalities" if you like. Going on in your body. I know i'd probably ignore it any other day but some are hard to dismiss especially if they match the ARS. But anyway, I hope it's anxiety. It's just i know the guy sleeps around and remembering doing it with him made me realise how likely it is I have something thats all.... though I am surprised i didnt catch Gonhoorea or Chlamydia with him as they are the most common and easy to catch ones. Anyway anxiety, I have 3 weeks left until the 12 week mark from this coming Saturday. :)
My last ditch effort...this is only one of hundreds of threads talking about people's symptoms of anxiety.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Anxiety/List-of-symptoms/show/1245641
There are other threads that list thousands more. Your 'symptoms" are NOT at ALL consistent with HIV.
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/Anxiety/List-of-symptoms/show/1245641
There are other threads that list thousands more. Your 'symptoms" are NOT at ALL consistent with HIV.
Go to your doctor if you have a medical concern! You are exhibiting classic signs of anxiety and now, irrational, phobic thinking. You keep ignoring our urges to get help, I hate to tell you, but anxiety usually gets worse, not better, and it usually requires the help of professionals to address it.
You're focused on the wrong thing. I honestly don't think I'll be addressing any more of your posts, because I've spent a LOT of time (as has lydia), and you don't even acknowledge what we tell you, you just go off on another anxiety fueled tangent. That is so frustrating. I'd rather spend my time answering people who at least are reading my replies, and acknowledging them, so I know I didn't type for no reason.
If you want help with the anxiety, then come back to the anxiety forum, but we're NOT going to discuss HIV any more with you. We will ONLY discuss how you can help yourself with your anxiety.
Enough is enough (and we've already said that many times). We can't help people that aren't willing to help themselves.
You're focused on the wrong thing. I honestly don't think I'll be addressing any more of your posts, because I've spent a LOT of time (as has lydia), and you don't even acknowledge what we tell you, you just go off on another anxiety fueled tangent. That is so frustrating. I'd rather spend my time answering people who at least are reading my replies, and acknowledging them, so I know I didn't type for no reason.
If you want help with the anxiety, then come back to the anxiety forum, but we're NOT going to discuss HIV any more with you. We will ONLY discuss how you can help yourself with your anxiety.
Enough is enough (and we've already said that many times). We can't help people that aren't willing to help themselves.
Anyway I'll try not to worry. I know I have something though. Maybe Herpes? Tingling lips, muscle aches, similar symptoms to HIV? And worried it may have come with Hepatitis or something......? Or some infection like HPV.
I understand, but i think i have diorreah now as well. my muscle pains have gone and joint pains its just diorreah now and i dont know where thatscome from. Or i have wierd bowel movements.
Did you seek help for the anxiety like greenlydia and I told you to over and over?
Did our MANY MANY answers telling you you have a better chance of being negative than positive register with you at ALL?
At some point, the madness has to stop. You're not doing yourself any favors asking over and over.
You really need to seek help, we can't do any more for you.
Did our MANY MANY answers telling you you have a better chance of being negative than positive register with you at ALL?
At some point, the madness has to stop. You're not doing yourself any favors asking over and over.
You really need to seek help, we can't do any more for you.
Your 7 week test is a very good sign. 3 months will be conclusive. Your symptoms have nothing to do with HIV due to the time frame and just being a rash.
Use condoms
Use condoms
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