Are These HIV Symptoms?

[scared2405]

I recently went on a European trip form the US and had protected sex with a sex worker.  To my knowledge the condom stayed in tact the whole time and there was no breakage.  After about three weeks while on the plane ride home I started developing cold like symptoms (sore throat, runny nose, coughing, etc.).  I also noticed some yellow film developing on the back of my tongue as well and pressure around the eyes and ears.  I was so nervous that I had an HIV test done about three and a half weeks after that came back negative.  I am worried sick about possible exposure.  Please help!!!!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

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[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You don't need any additional testing.

[scared2405]

I just had a 8 1/2 week rapid HIV test done and it was negative.  Do I need to re-test at three months to be entirely sure?  If I was having symptoms would the test be positive?  Thanks so much for all your help!!!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

As I have said repeatedly in response to many questions like yours, symptoms almost never are a reliable indicator of new HIV infection.  Every symptom that occurs with new HIV infection (acute retroviral syndrome, ARS) also occurs in innumerable other conditions that are more common than ARs.  On top of that, your symptoms aren't typical of ARS anyway.  You caught a cold.  And since the condom remained intact, you couldn't have caught HIV.

Sexually active people outside committed monogamous relationships ought to have an HIV test from time to time, like once a year. If you haven't been tested recently, this would be a good time, since it's on your mind. But not because of the exposure or symptoms you describe.  You don't have HIV--or if you do, it's not from the sexual exposure you mention.

Good luck---  HHH, MD