Seronegative Hiv infection

Hello Doctors,
I am a 43 yo gay male who had unprotected sex with multiple partners untill I became ill with ARS symptoms last year (March 2010) about ten days after sex with a positive partner. Bloodwork confirmed I was fighting off a viral infection 2 months after the incident. I wasn't put on anti-viral therapy but I'm still symptomatic with severe fatigue, malaise, a stiff neck,muscle weakness and twitching, ED, burning pains on large areas of the skin and a severe sore throat. Multiple antibody and pcr tests remain sterlile. Since August of last year my blood work shows low vit D levels on 2 occasions  4 months apart.Should I get a biopsy are something? I can't tolerate these symptoms much longer.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum.  I'm not sure of your question.  It sounds to me as though you have been tested for HIV and found to have a negative test.  If that is the case, then HIV is not the problem and you should look for other reasons for your symptoms.  On the other hand, if you have not been tested, you should be and the test will resolve your concerns about HIV.

Hope I understood your question.  EWH

[Batteryshop01]

Hello Doctor,

Yes, the pcr and antibody tests were done for HIV along with Lyme and Lupus, at seven weeks and 5 months post-exposure. I'm concerned because seminal fluid got in my eye during the exposure, the same area where the mucsle twitching began, ten days later.
A lot of the symptoms are nerve related, a lot of pain, itching and numbness and the twitching spread to the rest of my mucsles in my body. I was wondering if an undetectable amount of a  virus like hiv can circulate in the spinal fluid and if i should get it checked to stay on the safe side.

[Zulu10]

I read your post with interest. I have a very similar story, (although my risk profile was pretty negligible). I've tested negative to HIV out to 9 months now, and even my deeper subconscious now believes my negative results. But the burning pains and muscle fasciculations are driving me nuts.

I think there are three possibilities:

- this is all anxiety related
- this is a virus they don't know about yet.
- the stress of worrying about HIV has caused an exaggerated immune response to a common ordinary virus.

Take your pick! And good luck.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You need to believe your HIV test results. The issue of exposure is irrelevant in the face of your negative tests.  The idea that the virus coul be causing your problems without being detectable with blood tests, including PCR is just not plausible.  I am not denying that you are having difficulties but they are not due to HIV.   My advice is to persevere with a doctor that you trust - sometimes these things take trial an error to sort out.  EWH