Symptom: Diarrhea

I've been having ridiculous diarrhea for the past month. Everyday without fail. At first it was because of the PEP but now, two weeks after I've finished PEP I STILL have it and it feels like it will never go away. I take Imodium (immodium) but nothing works.

My question is, can the diarrhea be due to some other STD? I know diarrhea has many causes but for some reason I'm convinced it's because of HIV since other than that one exposure I've been going about my life as I've always have (eating, exercising, etc). I don't think stress/anxiety can cause this much.

Thanks

[dobber21]

Hi,
I know very little about PEP, but I do know that Meds have awful, awful side effects. I also know it's highly effective.
I'd say hold on to your seat for another week or two and you'll be fine.
But if symptoms persist, see your doctor. And test for Hep B, which is sexually transmitted. Apart from that, not sure if anything else causes diarrhea.
Hope that helps:)

[kekelow]

Scared, i took anitibotis for a sinis infection, and two weeks after taking them, i still had diarrhea and i'm allways constipated for years. I still have it sometimes now and i tested neg atfer 3-months. I kept thinking the diarrhea was hiv symptoms,but it wasn't. My stomach rumbles alot now, i read something the other day and it said anexity can cause diarrhea and i belive it.Peace.

[rocky999]

Hi there!  Just be aware that any medication that you are taking, whether anti-biotics or anti-viral, may cause persistent diarreah (diarrhea) in many people.  When you finish taking medication, make sure it stops.  If it persists, then go see a doctor.  I hope this helps.  Take care!

[scared83]

Umm, everywhere I read about "symptoms of HIV", diarrhea is almost always listed.

[sparkeler]

Diarrhea is not a symptom of any std.  Relax.

[strata]

People with ARS do occasionally experience diarrhea. However, it is NEVER the ONLY symptom.

IF (and I stress _IF_) you had symptoms of a nasty, can't-get-your-ass-out-of-bed flu, including high fever, extreme fatigue, non-itchy rash concetrated on the upper torso, easily recognizable, generalized swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, underarm, and groin, AND you had diarrhea, I MIGHT be inclined to think that the diarrhea was related to seroconversion illness.

This doesn't appear to be your case.

The list of issues (pathogenic, psychological, and otherwise) that can cause diarrhea would be EXTREMELY long. Here's a few samples:

PEP - Side-effects of the meds can often take a week or more to dissipate, even after you've stopped taking the meds. Yes, they are that toxic, that potent.

STRESS! - Even minor stress can wreak havoc with the digestive track (including decreasing the time that stool stays in the large instestine, a common cause of diarrhea), and you are obviously under a great deal of stress at the moment. Can you say IBS?

Caffeine - It's a natural diuretic and can cause or exacerbate diarrhea, especially when combined with PEP side effects, stress, and other possible causes.

Other foods - Here's a short list of foods that can cause diarrhea and the 'active ingredient' in each set:

Apple juice, pear juice, sugar-free gum, mints
Hexitols, sorbitol, mannitol  

Apple juice, pear juice, grapes, honey, dates, nuts, figs, soft drinks (especially fruit flavors)
Fructose  

Table sugar
Sucrose  

Milk, ice cream, yogurt, frozen yogurt, soft cheese, chocolate
Lactose  

Antacids containing magnesium
Magnesium  

Coffee, tea, cola drinks, some over-the-counter headache remedies
Caffeine  

Fat-free potato chips, fat-free ice cream
Olestra  

So, you're probably starting to get the picture... Diarrhea alone is not indicative of HIV, and there are a multitude of much more probable, benign possibilities.

[sparkeler]

Yes, diarrhea can be a symptom of hiv.  But so are alot of things.  Hiv symptoms are too general.  What I actually meant is that HIV is not a symptom of any other std aside from hiv.  Please remember though, that people can experience diarrhea for many, many, many other reasons.  Dont' rely on diarrhea to tell you whether or not you are hiv positive.

[txtony]

yeah diarrhea is always listed,but almost any thing you think of, eye twitching, pimples, bloating etc.. ill bet youll find it as a symptom.  that is why, not only dr hhh says symptoms are not a good indicator, but everyone else. taking pep is hardcore meds, that with your anxiety will give loose or watery diarrhea.  just try to chill. by the way, was the girl +, or your assuming