Dear Clinician(s)
Please help. Sorry the text is long but please try to read to the end.
I am a male from the UK. I had contact with a female SW in Thailand 8 weeks ago, whilst on holiday.
She said she was a beautician but i know she supplemented her income by sex work, as i asked some locals.
The symptoms i got after contact with her turned my world upside down.
I was sure i had HIV until i read your postings in HIV Prevention Comm. I now have some hope once again...but am not sure...
Before my holiday, i was clean of all STDs including HIV (tested in the UK).
Over the 3 days she stayed with me, we had protected intercourse and unprotected oral sex 2 to 3 times a day.
All intercourse was protected and the condoms were intact. Of this i'm absolutely sure.
However, during oral sex, i inserted my tongue several times into her vagina, once for 5-6 mins till she orgasmed.
Sorry to be so graphic but I want to be clear on the nature of contact.
I had a sore throat for 2 weeks prior to contact and what turned out to be a chest infection.
19/06/2011 - First Contact - protected intercourse and unprotected oral sex.
20/06 - Protected intercourse and unprotected oral sex.
We went to the doctor to see to my chest. Glands under my jaw line were a little swollen.
Doc diagnosed possible bronchitis. Prescribed antibiotic (Gentamycin intra-muscular), anithistamines and anti-inflamatories for the next 4 days.
The swelling of my glands subsided after one day. Apart from feeling feverish on one day, i felt much better.
21/06 - Protected intercourse and unprotected oral sex.
25/06 - (day 7 after contact), i developed massive bilateral swelling of my salivary glands, sub-mandibular glands (under my jaw line) and glands under my chin - giving me 'chipmunk cheeks'. Possible fever this night, bed sweats.
26/06 - An ENT doctor thought i may have mumps, but i've had the MMR vaccination. I was too embarrassed to tell him about my contact with the SW. I was given more antibiotics, anti-histamines, and anti-inflamatories.
No fever was measurable in the hospital.
27/06 - Fatigue for the next 6 days.
30/06 - My 'chipmunk cheeks' had subsided (slowly), leaving just the sub-mandibular glands swollen and tender.
04/07 - As well as swelling and tenderness of sub-mandibular glands, i developed stiffness of neck, 'neck sweats' around my sub-mandibular glands, fatigue & malaise.
11/07- Pea sized swelling of glands under both armpits, sweaty, painful & stinging for 2-3 days.
Swelling and tenderness of sub-mandibular glands, stiffness of neck, 'neck sweats', and fatigue remained.
[I was suffering from severe anxiety at this point].
18/07 - Swelling and tenderness of sub-mandibular glands, stiffness of the neck and 'neck sweats'.
Swelling of glands under both armpits every 2 -3 days, painful & stinging.
07/08 to PRESENT: Swelling of sub-mandibular glands has receded after 6 long weeks....
Sore, inflammed throat & post nasal drip have remained.
Stiffness of the neck (or glands in the neck ?) and swelling of glands under both armpits (every 3-4 days or so) have remained.
Exactly 2 weeks after contact, my parents who are both doctors came to see me on holiday.
I told them about my 'mumps-like' symptoms but again i was too embarrassed to tell them about the SW.
My father got a WBC differential count done. All types including eosinophils and monocytes were normal except lymphocytes, which were high, indicating a viral infection. My heart dropped when he said this.
I will be getting tested for all STDs incl. HIV on week 10 in Thailand and will get tested after 3 months in the UK (if negative).
What i'd like to know is :
1) Would the fact that i gave her oral sex for a prolonged period in the manner that i did, while taking antihistamines
(which decreased my levels of saliva and gave me the typical 'dry mouth') have increased my risk/ given me an exposure ? Have you heard of similar cases before ?
2) What are my chances of being tested negative next week ?
Teak, Lizzie Lou, or other clinicians, please give me your honest opinions.
Thank you for your help and time.