chances of HIV

[donald161]

40 days ago i had a unprotected oral sex (blow job) with a sex worker, after 2 weeks i started seeing HIV symptoms,
2nd week i had headache(lasted for 2 weeks), 3rd week i had itching near my pennis (lasted 1 week), 4th week had a small reddish rash on my hand joint the folding side which faded out in 2 days, now after 5 weeks i am experiencing joint pains these are more of bone pain near joints, couple of time sore troth (lasting for couple of hours) . since 3rd week i have started smoking a lot due to tension.
i have taken HIV rapid tests 2nd day and one 4weeks after exposure which where -ve
what is the chance of me getting HIV. if less why am i seeing these symptoms.
how long can i live after i am declared +ve

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your symptoms are not due to HIV. The quoted figure for HIV risk, if one has oral sex with an infected partner is less than 1 in 10,000 and, in my estimation that is too high. Some experts state there is no risk at all from oral sex.  Neither of us on this site have ever seen or reading the medical literature of a convincing instance in which HIV was passed by oral sex.  You negatrive HIV test just confirms what was essentially a no risk exposure.

Your symptoms are almost certainly due to some other process. Possiblity a community acquired, non-STD/HIV viral infection encountered through your normal activities.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The symptoms you have experienced are non-specific and have many possible casues.  You need to put your anxiety and perhaps guilt aside and, should they recur, figure out what is really casuing them.  Please get tested and prove to yourself that you do not have HIV.  EWH

[donald161]

My last question,

The symptoms i have encountered are exactly the HIV symptoms, and also the time period of their occurrence. i dont understand why all these symptoms occurred only after the exposure and never before. as every one i am freaked out, cant concentrate on my work or do anything.  

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The suggestion that you need to wait 3 molnths is overly conservative, particularly following your virtually no risk exposure.  At 4 weeks your rapid test would be expected to detect over 90-% of HIV infections acquired 4 weeks earlier.  You do not have HIV.

If your symptoms recur, you need to work with your doctor to figure out what to do and what other than HZIV is causing it.  Take care.  EWH

[donald161]

Doc,
The HIV rapid test(basic) was taken only after 4 weeks in a STD clinic, they say it takes 3 months atleast for the antibodies to be detected. i have never had joint pains like this.
what possible measures can i take if the symptoms come back or new ones show up.