HIV symptom?

Hello Doctor.  What is my risk assessment?  Could I have acquired h?  I usually have protected sex… but there are two incidents that I may be in a risk.  7 years ago I had unprotected vaginal and anal sex with my ex-girlfriend (just once); but highly doubt that she is hiv positive.  Another time was with SW 5 years ago… I received an oral without a condom and vaginal sex with a condom; condom may have been little loose, but I don’t think it ever slipped off.

My problem is that I have chronic dry mouth.

Is dry mouth symptom of hiv?  I never thought my issue with dry mouth could be sign of hiv, until I read somewhere that dry mouth could be one of the symptoms of hiv.  I have been having dry mouth (with burning sensation on the tongue, thick salvia) about a year ago along with constant headache, blurred vision, and now mild arthritis like pain in my hands. Tested for Sjogren’s Syndrom (syndrome)  - negative.  No blockage of salvia gland.  No evidence of cancer.  I’m not in any medication.  My ENT doctor said it may be just anxiety driven… but for an over a year?
Am I just overly anxious or should I need to get tested for hiv?
Thank you for your help doctor.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

My goodness, for you to still be worried about exposures that occurred more than five years ago worries me.  Both of the encounters you describe are very low risk for acquisition of HIV.  Why not just get tested.  I am confident that the test results will be negative and then you can put your concerns behind you.

As you point out, your ex-girlfriend was unlikely to have HIV and a single exposure is unlikely to result in HIV transmission.  Similarly, there is no credible evidence that HIV is transmitted by oral sex and condom protected sex is safe sex which also does not put you at risk.

The dry mouth symptoms you describe are non-specific and do not raise concerns about HIV.  

Bottom line, I agree with your doctor- you are more anxious over these exposures than you should be.  MY advice would be to get a single test for HIV and believe the results.  I am confident your test results would be negative.  EWH