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HIV Prevention (Expert Forum)
Heterosexual Woman Risk and Concerns
by anxious17, Jan 19, 2007 12:00AM
Doc, thanks for being on a forum that educates & calms nerves of hypersensitive people like me. I'm hoping my post doesn’t duplicate others, I've searched archives & noticed most posts are from men and as I'm a woman, I didn’t find much on my situation. I'm a heterosexual 32yr old F who's been in long term relationships most of my life. My shortest & most recent relationship lasted about 1yr ending early Jan07. During relationship, most intercourse was protected, but there were a few times during Nov06-Jan07, (approx 5 times or so) which we didn't use protection. As I dont use birth control & not looking to have more children at this time, he didn't ejaculate inside of me. Our recent break up came as I found out he was using cocaine sometimes and I'm not OK with it. In any case, I know he's never done IVD & has never had sex with men. However, not sure he was 100% faithful during relationship. So, after breakup I started to do some net research (I know very stupid) and although I've read key symptoms you note as being the ARS symptoms, I've run across some other symptoms, which I've had, that I wanted to ask about. Time frame from 1st time we had unprotected sex is from late Nov until last time early Jan but haven't isolated a period where symptoms have been all together. Here goes:
1-Is psoriasis a symptom of ARS? I've suffered from it on and off my whole adult life and had a breakout in mid Dec & read that this is an ARS symptom. That's what prompted me to start searching the internet for symptoms which of course I found. Ugh!
2-Dry skin. Is this a symptom of ARS? Especially around nose & lips area? I’ve always moisturized alot but noticed these past weeks my skin has been especially dry around nose area, elbows and back of arms. I wouldn’t go as far as to say I have a rash on back of arms, just extremely dry skin with few small bumps.
3-Pimples. Never been prone to getting pimples except 1 or 2 during menstrual cycle but got a few under area of underarm (about 4-5) which hurt a bit when touched. Also, got 1 or 2 large ones on face which is odd for me except during my period which I don't have. Can stress & anxiety cause breakouts?
4- 1 swollen lymph node under arm. This node always acts up during my period but it's been tender & swollen on/off for few weeks, hurts a bit when touched.
5-Would symptoms appear together or 1 by 1? Haven't noticed symptoms together just scattered over course of few weeks.
6-Noticed on few occassions boyfriend waking up with night sweats nights after using cocaine. Could the drug contribute to his night sweats?
To this day, I have dry skin, 1 lymph node acting up and random pimples but no fever,no dry cough,no headaches,no night sweats,no mouth sores or no major rashes yet I dont feel 100%. Could overall icky feeling come from anxiety and stressing over this?
Lastly, is the 1/2000 stat also applicable to women, I've read it's easier for women to catch which also concerns me.
Thank U in advance!
1-Is psoriasis a symptom of ARS? I've suffered from it on and off my whole adult life and had a breakout in mid Dec & read that this is an ARS symptom. That's what prompted me to start searching the internet for symptoms which of course I found. Ugh!
2-Dry skin. Is this a symptom of ARS? Especially around nose & lips area? I’ve always moisturized alot but noticed these past weeks my skin has been especially dry around nose area, elbows and back of arms. I wouldn’t go as far as to say I have a rash on back of arms, just extremely dry skin with few small bumps.
3-Pimples. Never been prone to getting pimples except 1 or 2 during menstrual cycle but got a few under area of underarm (about 4-5) which hurt a bit when touched. Also, got 1 or 2 large ones on face which is odd for me except during my period which I don't have. Can stress & anxiety cause breakouts?
4- 1 swollen lymph node under arm. This node always acts up during my period but it's been tender & swollen on/off for few weeks, hurts a bit when touched.
5-Would symptoms appear together or 1 by 1? Haven't noticed symptoms together just scattered over course of few weeks.
6-Noticed on few occassions boyfriend waking up with night sweats nights after using cocaine. Could the drug contribute to his night sweats?
To this day, I have dry skin, 1 lymph node acting up and random pimples but no fever,no dry cough,no headaches,no night sweats,no mouth sores or no major rashes yet I dont feel 100%. Could overall icky feeling come from anxiety and stressing over this?
Lastly, is the 1/2000 stat also applicable to women, I've read it's easier for women to catch which also concerns me.
Thank U in advance!
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Jan 19, 2007 12:00AM
, Jan 19, 2007 12:00AM
You describe nothing that suggests you might have HIV, and you have not been at particularly high risk. However, on average, cocaine users (even if not injection drug users) probably are at higher HIV risk than the general population. But the resolution to your anxiety does not lie in speculating and worrying about it, or in asking an online provider: get tested!
1,2) I believe there are reports that psoriasis is more common in HIV infected people. But so is dandruff or simple dry skin. Among all people with thesse problems, very few have HIV. 3) I am unaware of reports of increased acne risk in HIV. But if so, my response is the same as for psoriasis and dry skin. 4) There are things other than lymph nodes that might be causing your symtoms. But anyway, a single periodically swollen or painful node does not suggest HIV. 5) The pattern of symptoms doesn't mean much one way or the other, since none of your symptoms suggests HIV. 6) Night sweats alone never are evidence of AIDS.
I'm not going to speculate about the cause of your symptoms. Maybe just the normal body variations that everybody has from time to time.
Stop wringing your hands and have an HIV test. You can expect a negative result. While you're at it, bring your partner along and have him get tested as well.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
1,2) I believe there are reports that psoriasis is more common in HIV infected people. But so is dandruff or simple dry skin. Among all people with thesse problems, very few have HIV. 3) I am unaware of reports of increased acne risk in HIV. But if so, my response is the same as for psoriasis and dry skin. 4) There are things other than lymph nodes that might be causing your symtoms. But anyway, a single periodically swollen or painful node does not suggest HIV. 5) The pattern of symptoms doesn't mean much one way or the other, since none of your symptoms suggests HIV. 6) Night sweats alone never are evidence of AIDS.
I'm not going to speculate about the cause of your symptoms. Maybe just the normal body variations that everybody has from time to time.
Stop wringing your hands and have an HIV test. You can expect a negative result. While you're at it, bring your partner along and have him get tested as well.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
That gave me the strength and determination to take the test and wait........ NEGATIVE!!!!!!!!!!! :-)
I can honestly tell you it was the longest 20 minutes of my life. It's been the most excruciating 4 months of my life, making myself crazy with worry. Today I felt like I was given a new beginning, a clean slate, which I plan on taking care of. I simply wanted to share my brief story for those of you who are scared to go get tested, just go and take that burden off of your shoulders, it will give you a new lease on life.
Anyways enough babbling, just thought I'd share!