sick and tired of worrying

Hello Dr. and thank you for this forum.

Back in December I had a low risk exposure (brief french kissing). I was very worried after this until I learned of the low risk involved. A few weeks later, I developed a slight sore throat and after treating with Zicam it went away. In mid February after some cold weather I again developed a sore throat and actually lost my voice for a few days. This went away after a few days. In late Feb. I developed a rash on my abdomen that spread to my trunk area. I of course looked up this symptom and quickly found out about ARS, panic set in! My sore throat also returned. I made an appointment with a dermatologist who diagnosed me with Pityriasis Rosea and told me it would resolve on its own. I then saw my primary Dr. for the sore throat and he prescribed a Z Pak; after 2 days I felt better and after reading that HIV related symptoms would not respond to antibiotics I felt better. (pityriasis resolved itself) A week after taking the 5 day treatment I felt my axiliary lymphnodes become tender to the touch and my sore throat returned. I also becan to have aches in my leg muscles. I again visited my Dr. and he found no swelling in my lymph glands. He suggested a sinus problem and in order to ease my anxiety ordered an HIV test (this was at the 3 month mark) this came back negative and I felt better. Later in April I caught a flu bug and had fever, cough, and a runny nose. I went to the Dr. since my throat continued to bother me. He prescribed a coarse of Factive. After 2 days I developed a rash on my arms and later over my body. I thought that this was an allergic reaction to the Factive but my mind began to doubt this and I began to believe that this was ARS! Since then I have muscle aches on my neck and shoulder blades, joint pain, and general malaise. I was under so much stress and anxiety that I developed seborheic dermatitis on my face which I have never had before. Could this be a case of delayed seroconversion? FYI I tested via Home Access at 8.5 & 11.5 weeks both negative and via my Dr. at 3 months negative. should I just move on or should I test again? thanks for all that you do.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Thanks for the thanks.  But if you have read the forum at all, you know that I do not sugar coat my responses.  So here goes....

Are you serious??!!  You CANNOT have HIV, unless you have had more recent exposures (real ones!) that you don't describe.  Period, full top, end of story.  Nobody in the world ever caught HIV by french kissing.  Your test results prove you aren't infected.  Your symptoms don't sound particularly suspicious for HIV, deptie what you might have read.  And at least 1 doctor (maybe more? I lost track) has reassured you against HIV.

You should not have been tested once, let alone the 3 times already done.  You certainly don't need more testing.

Stress does not cause seborrheic dermatitis or any other visibly abnormal skin rash.  But it certainly causes just about every other symptom you describe.

Best wishes-- HHH, MD