Aa
Please examine, I'm deathly afraid.
Hello,
I recently stumbled upon symptoms associated with accute HIV infection. My heart started pounding and the world felt like it was closing in on me. These symptoms seemed to apply to me.
About 4.5 months ago I was in a monogamous relationship with a woman, that I had unprotected sex with one time (protected other times). A couple of weeks later (2, 3?) I got what I presumed was a bad case of either food poisoning or gastroenteritis (stomach flu). Before bed, even though I felt a bit queezy, I had a serving of yoghurt. My stomach ached, but I've experienced this before after yoghurt, so I wasn't worried and promptly fell asleep.
Several hours later I woke up with stomach cramps, gas pains and the irresistible urge to vomit. I rushed to the bathroom and started (violently) puking. Shortly thereafter I also got watery diarrhea. The following 24 hours or so I was puking and emptying my bowels every hour/couple of hours while experiencing stomach cramps and gas pains. Symptoms persisted for another day or so, although with decreased vomiting and diarrhea. I also remember having a hard time staying warm, and not sweating even though I was in bed the whole time, covered in several blankets. After approximately 48 hours since I started feeling unwell, the vomiting and diarrhea stopped. I felt weak for a couple of days (no diarrhea or vomiting) but seem to have recovered fully. I did not have a rash, or swollen lymphnodes (at least not visibly, anyway). My throat was sore, but then again I was puking for two days.
About a week or two after my getting sick, my girlfriend and I broke up. Around this time I started developing nausea, a cough, excessive phlegm, and a super sensitive gag reflex. I'd vomit very frequently after brushing my teeth, or coughing up phlegm. Then I was fine for the rest of the day. These symptoms persisted for about two months (late february to late april), and eventually resulted in my seeking medical attention. I went to my doctor and asked her for advice. She performed some routine checks (looked down my throat, examined my heartbeat, etc) and asked some questions. By the nature of her questions I realized she suspected it was anxiety but gave me some domperidom to deal with the nausea. I realized these symptoms were all in my head, and within two days (without taking the domperidom) my symptoms disappeared.
Fast forward to now. I'm incredibly worried that my 'stomach flu' was actually an accute HIV infection and the uncertainty is driving me insane. Can someone qualified please examine my symptoms and give me an honest risk assessment? Did I have a typical HIV infection reaction, or is a stomach flu the more reasonable diagnosis?
I should point out that I've contacted my ex girlfriend and informed her of my worries. She told me she had been tested two years prior, and, excluding the one time with me, had always used condoms with her partners in between (not sure if I believe her). In spite of this, she still agreed to have an HIV test (she took it on tuesday) and will inform me of the results next week. In the mean time I am absolutely losing my mind.
I recently stumbled upon symptoms associated with accute HIV infection. My heart started pounding and the world felt like it was closing in on me. These symptoms seemed to apply to me.
About 4.5 months ago I was in a monogamous relationship with a woman, that I had unprotected sex with one time (protected other times). A couple of weeks later (2, 3?) I got what I presumed was a bad case of either food poisoning or gastroenteritis (stomach flu). Before bed, even though I felt a bit queezy, I had a serving of yoghurt. My stomach ached, but I've experienced this before after yoghurt, so I wasn't worried and promptly fell asleep.
Several hours later I woke up with stomach cramps, gas pains and the irresistible urge to vomit. I rushed to the bathroom and started (violently) puking. Shortly thereafter I also got watery diarrhea. The following 24 hours or so I was puking and emptying my bowels every hour/couple of hours while experiencing stomach cramps and gas pains. Symptoms persisted for another day or so, although with decreased vomiting and diarrhea. I also remember having a hard time staying warm, and not sweating even though I was in bed the whole time, covered in several blankets. After approximately 48 hours since I started feeling unwell, the vomiting and diarrhea stopped. I felt weak for a couple of days (no diarrhea or vomiting) but seem to have recovered fully. I did not have a rash, or swollen lymphnodes (at least not visibly, anyway). My throat was sore, but then again I was puking for two days.
About a week or two after my getting sick, my girlfriend and I broke up. Around this time I started developing nausea, a cough, excessive phlegm, and a super sensitive gag reflex. I'd vomit very frequently after brushing my teeth, or coughing up phlegm. Then I was fine for the rest of the day. These symptoms persisted for about two months (late february to late april), and eventually resulted in my seeking medical attention. I went to my doctor and asked her for advice. She performed some routine checks (looked down my throat, examined my heartbeat, etc) and asked some questions. By the nature of her questions I realized she suspected it was anxiety but gave me some domperidom to deal with the nausea. I realized these symptoms were all in my head, and within two days (without taking the domperidom) my symptoms disappeared.
Fast forward to now. I'm incredibly worried that my 'stomach flu' was actually an accute HIV infection and the uncertainty is driving me insane. Can someone qualified please examine my symptoms and give me an honest risk assessment? Did I have a typical HIV infection reaction, or is a stomach flu the more reasonable diagnosis?
I should point out that I've contacted my ex girlfriend and informed her of my worries. She told me she had been tested two years prior, and, excluding the one time with me, had always used condoms with her partners in between (not sure if I believe her). In spite of this, she still agreed to have an HIV test (she took it on tuesday) and will inform me of the results next week. In the mean time I am absolutely losing my mind.
Thanks for your response Teak. I tried to make an appointment today, but the earliest they could schedule me in for was tuesday. By then I should have my ex's results, and know definitively. I guess I'm just looking for some confirmation that I'm overreacting, connecting dots that aren't connectable, and simply need to chill out.
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