hiv concern

[jason8153]

Hey Doc,

I had protected intercourse with a women three months ago and I knew her for maybe two years.  A couple days after intercourse I got very sick.  My original symptoms were similar to meningitis with serious head pain, confusion and disorientation.  Then in the next few days I had fever and chills worst then I have ever experienced.  I was shaking worse then anything I had ever experienced.  I had serious night sweets for almost two weeks and loss of complete appetite.  I don't think this women was hiv positive, I know she was in a very long relationship before we got together.  All I know is I have never felt the same since.  My personality has changed and I have serious memory loss issues, I am just no the same person.  At first it was just some light sensativity but now it is extreme light sensitivity, blurred vision and many floaters.  If it were not with the vision issues I could get on with my life, it seems to be getting worse ever day.  I can barley see outside without sun glasses on, it is braking my heart.  before this I had perfect health and hadn't been sick in years.  I know I had bleeding gums that weeks for some reason I wonder if I maybe that had something to do with this.  As far as I remember the condom was intact but we did have a few drinks that night.  I have taken hiv elisa at 5 weeks, western blot and hiv dna pcr at 6 weeks, elisa and hiv pcr dna at 7 weeks, western blot and hiv dna pcr at 8 weeks and the a elisa at 3 months.  I want to beleive these tests but why is my vision getting scarily worse everyday.  I have read that your eyes are most delicate when it comes to hiv and they are open to many viruses.  I have been to 5 opthamologist and no one can help me, I didn't disclose my hiv scare with them though.  Please doctor if you have any ideas about what else could have done theses symptoms and what is behind my onslaught of health issues.  Thanks doc.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

For you to be concerned about HIV after having multiple negative tests including a HIV DNA PCR at 8 weeks and a negative ELISA at three months make no sense at all.  You do not have HIV.  Negative test results using different methods at times when all tests for infected persons should be positive tell you this.  This is not HIV.  I have just a few suggestions for you.  First, for you to not tell your doctors why you are concerned limits their ability to help you.  Second, if multiple ophthalmologists cannot help you then there is unlikely to be a physical problem.  You might cover all bases by getting checked by a neurologist as well.  It does occur to me that this might be a manifestation of anxiety and guilt which might be better dealt with a mental health professional than other types of health care providers but before assuming that you should rule out other causes as you are doing.

I have nothing more to say.  I hope this helps.   EWH

[jason8153]

I would just go n with my life but what are all these health problems from?  My vision is concerningly blurry and I have never had a problem before.  I can barely look at the sky it is so bright.  I have read that this is concern for underlying disease?  I have appointment with a nuerologist this week I hope they can ansewer some questions for me.  Is the anything specific I shouls ask?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

As I said before, if you have specific concerns aobut your health such as HIV (which are, in my opinion unwarranted from the information you provide above), you must tell the doctor, not hope that he/she will figure them out without your help.

As for the casues, the possibilities are huge and narrowing them down should be informed on the basis of a direct interaction with a health care provider who can take a history and do a careful physical examination to sort out clues derived from your history.  The internet is the wrong place to try to accomplish this.

As I said before however, HIV is really not a concern from the history you have provided.  EWH

[jason8153]

Just curious doctor what your take is on when a hiv test can be concidered conclusive? How long after exposure would the test be definite?

Thanks doctor

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Any test result with after 8 weeks should be conclusive.  EWH