HIV Risk- Anxiety Killing Me!

[Nervous2550]

Hey Doc,

On Dec. 31 I made a stupid drunken mistake with about 30 to 45 seconds atmost of unprotected vaginal intercourse- I have had a girlfriend of 4 years- then I realized what i was doing then stopped! A few days later I had some urinay issues going on and talked to a doctor friend who gave me levaquin (it worked a little) then symptoms were still ther (clear fluid after urinating, frequent urination, back pain, something inside the penis) so I went to a local helath department and got checked for clam. and gonn- they treated me but the results were negative- about two weeks after this I was working out and noticed a burning senation on my penis- saw it being red and a bump- made appointment with urologist- thought it was herpes- took the urine test at urologist everything clean (I had a prostate infection)- and he said in no way is it herpes- went and saw him again said the same thing told him about my exposure- said nothing to worry about! Well about 2 1/2 weeks ago I had night sweats for about 3 or 4 days, no diarreha, for about 3 days i didnt eat much, no real headaches, but had a fever for about 3 or 4 days! Since two weeks ago I developed a red irriatated throat (not sore) just red and irriatated- some white stuff on throat- but have also had a little post nasal drip- no fever or headaches since- Body Temp is around 98.1- For about a week and half my neck has been sore- so swollen lymph nodes just a sore neck like the muscles and it runs down into my traps! I have also had this feeling like I have a buzz like Im kinda outta my body- only in my head region though! My tongue has been white but I have had this for along time- I brush my tongue real good and it stays away for a few days and it does not hurt! No rash or anything like that! My urologist put me on a 4 week supply of doxycyclin- could this be causing anything? Since this time my girlfriend was tested for everything but HIV and Herpes and she was negative! Need Help and advice!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I can't say what the white spots are. There are a lot of "sore throat" viruses which can cause findings such as this, even when they don't make your throat sore.  As we mentioned above, thrush is also a possibility.  Whatever it is however, I am confident it is of no great import or an indicator that you are somehow ill or sick with HIV.

It is not HIV so please stop worrying about it.  You are correct however that the symptoms of the ARS tend to come on at around the same time.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This will be the last answer.  You do not need further STD testing.  You do not have any STD, including HIV.  time to move on. EWH

[Nervous2550]

Hey Doc.,

It ahs been awhile since we last talked- but wanted to update you and let you know I went back to the urologist on March 23- my urine analysis was completely normal all the signs I had on my penis were normal( even though it did not look normal) he said I absolutley had no std (herpes or anything)! That same day I had to go give blood and a urine analysis (Hiv test) for an insurance policy my dad has on me! talked ot him todaay and he stated all my stuff was normal and there was absolutely normal no problems- I guess Im happy and relieved but still feel weird lol don't ask me why! I still have my red thraot going on but does not really hurt (just white mucos on it that I have to cough up) any explanation for the reason of this long bout with this red throat? Also, the urnine trest for the HIV was done at 11 1/2 weeks- is the negative result good enough or do I need a follow up? thanks so much for your time and patience! I have learned a valueable lesson!!!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I agree that i towuld be unusual for the sore throat of HIV to last so very long.  

My coughts and ore throats do linger for quite a while.  If you are not feeling bad (other than the worry that you ahve because it is there), my advice would be to ride it out.  On the other hand, if it is too much of a nuisance, I would see your doctor.  EWH

[Nervous2550]

Hey Doc Im back lol! Anyway, I have told you everything but I figured this red irriatated throat wld go away! Anyway it is been 4 weeks and it is red, with white spots on the throat that is it- it does not hurt or cause any discomfort when eating or drinking! I still have no fever but my mouth has been dry, I feel if something is running down my throat and my throat feels like there is something right in the middle of my throat( Clear/Whitish mucus) and I have to clear my throat alot! Should I see the doc. or ride it out? I read some stuff doctor HHH said and that my sore throat would not be typical to HIV infection cause it has been to long, is this a fair assumption?

[Nervous2550]

Thanks Doc. i feel so much better talking to you- Go back to the urologist on March 23 will keep you updated!! thanks for your expert help it has helped me physically and mentally!!!

[Nervous2550]

Hey Doc. it is no problem at all- monkeyflower cleared it up and I believe you are right and believe alot of things going on are due to my anxiety and stress and a bad timing of illness! 2 questions!

1. My throat has been red w/ whit spots on it for a couple weeks now- but it is no pain and eating, drinking, etc has caused me no pain or discomfort at all (also no fever) any advice?

2. If it was HIV infection wouldnt the symtpoms come at once they would not be spread out correct? I think I have learned that they all come at the same time right?

I go back to the urologist on March 23- is waitng till then ok by your expert advice?

thanks for your time and understanding and I believe everything will be ok- thanks again Doc!!!!!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I am SO sorry.  I was typing too fast and typed positive when I meant negative.  Thanks as well to Monkeyflower for her help. I meant to emphasize that your risk for HIV is VERY low.  Apologetically, EWH

[Nervous2550]

Thanks- your comment just made me feel a little better- cause I made a horrible 30 second mistake! Thanks for confirming that- I feel better! It has been a tough road so far! My anxiety/stress have been killing me! The only other thing that is bothering me is my throat has been red (not hurting or anything) with some white spots on it for like two weeks now- but is not affecting anything I do just a little irriatated!  thanks for your time having reassurance makes things easier!!!

[monkeyflower]

Hopefully not intruding, but I think you have the right interpretation. I think Dr. Hook meant to say your test would be negative :-)

The other symptoms you mention (buzzing sensation/feeling detached, muscle tension) are pretty common anxiety/panic symptoms. www.helpguide.org has some pretty good info, if you feel like taking a break from googling HIV symptoms ;-)

[Nervous2550]

Thanks Doc- but you mean me test will positive meaning it will be a positive outcome right- negative result?

And can anxiety and stress cause alot of the physical symtoms I am talking about?

Again, thanks for your time!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, I predict your test will be positive.  It is far, far more likely that you have a flu-like illness than anything else.  EWH

[Nervous2550]

Do most symtoms of HIV come at one time as mine have been spread out over a couple weeks- My throat is red and irriatated but not sore nor hurting! My temp. as of ten minutes ago was 98.2 and if it was HIV wouldn't the fever be constant? Can axiety be causing my physical symtpoms as well? One more question doc- what about my sore neck?

Also, what about me feeling as if I am buzzing or somewhere else- kinda like I am not here- Any ideas on what you may think is bothering me before I go back to the doctor? I am going to get tested soon but you think my test will come back negative don't you? I just need the reassurance doc- thanks for your time!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

This is most unlikely to be HIV.  The chance that the casual partner that you had was infected with HIV is very low and even if she had HIV, the chance of you getting it from a single brief encounter is less than 1 infection per 1000 exposures.   Putting this together, your statistical risk of HIV from this encounter is less than 1 in 100,000 and probably closer to 1 in a million.

The white stuff on your tongue may well be thrush (a fungal infection) which is a frequent complication of taking antibiotics such as doxycycliine. Thrush can also occur in persons with advanced HIV but to suggest that your problem could be due to HIV is just not realistic.  

Hope this helps.  EWH