tonsillites hiv sympthom?

[mickeygjl]

Hello Doctor,

I am a gay man (30).
A while ago I posted some questions due to a condom breakage. I was very happy when the test result was negative at 12 weeks after that happend. This is the last test I took and it was in October 2009.

Since then I expirienced tonsillites, with some fever and white spots on my tonsils, two times already. One time the end of November and currently I have it to.
Since my last test in October 2009 I had a couple of sexual experiences (all with protected anal intercourse (active), but some unprotected oral (mostly passif, two times active). Btw, I always ask about the hiv-status of my partner.

Now, I read on a couple of sites that tonsillites can be a hiv-symptom. And that it is not common with adults (and I am 30) at all?

1. Is this both true?
2. could my unprotected oral expiriences caused an infection (tonsillites = ars)?
3. I did my last test at 12 weeks, was this too early maybe, and could this be late symptoms?
4. You advise me to do a test again at this point?

Thank you for your attention and information.

M.

[mickeygjl]

Thank you very much for the detailed reply, doctor.
Regards, M.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to our site.  Before I get started in addressing your questions, let me congratulate you on your approach to sexual activity.  Asking others of their status and a commitment to condom use will go a long way towards keeping you healthy.

Your questions address issues that we deal with on this Forum quite often.  The questions often start with statements that "in searching the internet, I note that ______  has been associated with HIV infection.... " and provides me with the opportunity to answer your question initially in a general fashion.  These sorts of well intended statments made at some internet sites fail to place situations in the context of the fact that there are many common infections which people who do not have HIV or other predisposing conditions get with great regularity and, for that reason, are not a major reason for concern that they might be signs of HIV infection.  The fundamental thing that HIV does to persons who acquire the infection is that, over the course of many years (i.e. typically 10 or more) it progressively weakens an infected person's ability to fight infections of all sorts.  As a result, in its advanced stages, after years of infection, persons with HIV can no longer fight off infection by micro organisms that people with normal immune systems co-exist with on a daily basis.  In addition certain more common infections that people with HIV get regularly are also somewhat more commonly.  These latter sorts of infections include fungal infections, sore throats, pneumonia and in your case possibly tonsillitis.  That you have tonsillitis however is by no means a sign that you have acquired HIV or that prior tests have somehow failed to diagnose an infection which is present.  Sore throats are most often caused by viral illnesses (and sometimes bacteria such as strep) cause by the hundreds to thousands of viruses that regularly circulate in communities and happen to normal people on a regular basis (once or twice a year). As a result, getting a sore throat is certainly not a sign that you have HIV or something to worry about.  The same is true for lots of other common, every day illnesses.  Given your history of a negative test and appropriate precautions, you really have nothing to worry about.  That is not to say that it is not worthwhile to occasionally (typically annually) have yourself screened for HIV and other STDs as long as your choices include non-monogamous relationships and sex with new partners, just as we would recommend you get your blood pressure checked once a year as well.  I hope this places your question in context.  As for your specific questions:

1.  With tonsillitis in particular, having one case can predispose persons to getting it again. Tonsillitis is NOT uncommon in adults.
2.  No more than kissing (which is not associated with risk for anything other than a regular community acquired sore throat).
3.  This was not too early.  Believe your results.
4.  See above.  I think regular checkups are a good idea for just about everyone. The frequency depends on your rates of partner change, sites of exposure and level of concern.  There is nothing in your question that suggests you need to rush out and be tested as soon as possible.

I hope this comment helps.  As I said, we get many of these sorts of questions.  I will bookmark this reply and refer others to it in the future.  Take care.  EWH