making myself sick i think....

[wowzers21]

Dear Doctors,

First off, thank you for this forum and helping all of us.  My situation is as follows....

on January 19th/20th of 2010 i engaged in sexual intercourse with a street walker. We used a condom but unfortunately it broke.  I dont know how long we continued until we noticed (at most 5-10 minutes), but we did stop and change condoms.

I experienced slight symptoms (rash on neck, night sweats, facial tingling). I also had an intense sore throat that resolved in 3 weeks (wk 4-7).

i had a negative rapid test at 4 weeks, and a negative lab test (antibody) @ six weeks.

i went to my General Practitioner who told me that there is no reason for testing, that it "almost never happens" and that "the problem is with the inkwell, not the pen."

i am now at week 10 and have just been diagnosed with an ulnar nerve lesion in my left arm. Also, today i noticed a small rash on my upper left thigh (in a line, not a cluster).

i know my chances of having HIV are very slim to none but i still cannot get any comfort.....in your professional opinion, should i get another test done? or am i just making myself sick with worry and anxiety?

thank you so much for your time and i KNOW i learned my lesson regarding my sexual habits.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, if you had HIV a positive test would precede, not follow your rheumatological symptoms.  Believe your test results and look for another explanation for your symptoms, you do not have HIV.  EWH

[wowzers21]

Thank you for your time and prompt answer doctor.  I have just one question and I am sorry for bugging you.  I read at http://arthritis.about.com/od/diseasesandconditions/a/HIVarthritis.htm

that "According to the American College of Rheumatology (ACR), "HIV-associated rheumatic diseases may precede the diagnosis of HIV." If a person is at high risk for the HIV virus and presents symptoms of painful joints, painful muscles, or other rheumatic symptoms, testing for the HIV virus could confirm or rule out the diagnosis of HIV. HIV-associated rheumatic diseases can affect any age group, race, or gender, but most commonly affects people between 20-40 years old."

I am 25 years old and over the past week I have experienced extreme stiffening and curling of my fingers.  My mother has arthritis and I have had multiple injuries to my hands throughout the years.  I have an appointment on tuesday with my regular doctor to discuss these symptoms.  THey started a week ago as pain in my neck and then shoulder, elbow, then my fingers curled.  What I am asking is simply this: In your experience and expertise, would rheumatoid arthritis be a precursor to a positive HIV test? Or should I believe my test at 9-10 weeks which once again was a Oraquick Oral Swab Test? Thank you immensely for your time and I look forward to your answer.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I agree with the counselor who told you that you do not need further testing.  Believe the results you have.  The CDC is very, very conservative.

As for your symptoms, they are in no way related to HIV.

Time for you to move on and put these concerns behind you.  EWH

[wowzers21]

Thank you for your advice Doctor.  I went to a nearby free clinic and had the Oraquick Advance Oral Swab test done.  NEGATIVE! The counselor there told me that due to my exposure, that I do not have HIV.  However, since that test (last thursday) my fingers have curled in towards my palm (possible cubital tunnel syndrome as I type a lot at my job) and i have slight tingling behind my right knee.  Should I be worried about these symptoms or should i be at ease with the negative test after the 6-8 weeks?  The counselor said that the CDC recommends testing out til 3 months but told me that I do not need.  Thank you!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  I can understand your concern. Often after something unexpected (like a broken condom) happens we find ourselves looking for links with other problems.  As you point out, your risk of HIV, particularly with a negative test six weeks following the exposure when 95% of infections would be detectable, are very, very low.   That however does not mean that they are zero.  If you want to be 100% sure that you did not get HIV from your experience, I suggest you get tested once more, at this time.  Do I think there it is likely that you have HIV—emphatically  NO!.  But to completely remove doubt in your own mind, one more test is a good idea.  then you can begin to pursue other causes for the symptoms you are experiencing.

Hope this helps.  I am confident that you do not have HIV but one more test will prove this once and for all.  EWH