Worried Well?

[gerard1963]

I originally posted a question on March 3rd (Symptoms?) and Dr Handsfield was good enough to answer it and put my mind at ease.  To recap I had ejaculate from a transgendered CSW get on my leg and possibly on the head of my penis during mutual masturbation.  Absolutely no insertive sex.  All logic tells me that I had no exposure but my symptoms, although not classic ARS, have heightened my concern.  Exactly 3 weeks from my possible exposure I developed what I think were swollen nodes in my neck and groin, clavicle, underarms, and groin and low back discomfort (myalgia?).  Not being an MD I can’t say for certain my nodes were swollen but I could feel something going on in those areas.  I definitely had neck swelling as it was typical of a bad sore throat, although I didn’t develop but a mild sore throat until about 7 days later.  The swelling, if that what it was in my groin, clavicle, and underarms seemed to resolve in about 2 days but the cervical swelling remained.  I also had some prostatitis which may explain the groin swelling.  Again I got a mild sore throat about 2 days ago with some mucous and post-nasal drip (but no nasal congestion or cold symptoms) and that has gotten better but not fully resolved.  My concerns are the timeline of getting these symptoms exactly 3 weeks after possible exposure, and the possible generalized lympadenopathy rather than regional.  I never had a fever, rash, fatigue, GI symptoms.  Did have a bit of a cough but I believe that was probably related to the post-nasal drip.  No one in my family has developed any similar symptoms.  I have been active, exercise, etc.  I believe anxiety and guilt are driving me to not accept the obvious here – that I had no exposure to worry about.  Would you concur?   (This will be my last post regarding this incident)

[gerard1963]

Thanks Doc.  Sorry I wasn't aware of all the rules regarding posting.

I appreciate your insights.  I'm going to put this all behind me and get on with my life.  Thanks again.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Follow-up questions are supposed to be in the same thread, not new ones.  Only a limited number of new threads can be accepted and redundant ones block others with new questions.

My closing comment in your other thread was "Bottom line:  Of course see a health care provider if your symptoms continue or you otherwise remain concerned.  But I see no concerns here about HIV or other STDs."  There is nothing in this question that changes that.  In your situation, no symptoms are useful indicators of new HIV infection and yours don't sound like HIV anyway.  You caught a cold.  But it's fine with me if you want to be tested for HIV to convince yourself.

A person's own judgment that "I believe anxiety and guilt are driving me to not accept the obvious here" almost always is accurate.

I won't have any further comments.  Please note the MedHelp rule about a maximum of 2 questions every 6 months.

HHH, MD