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HIV (-), but having symptoms of AIDS
Hi. I just turned 22. About five years ago I had unprotected sex (under the influence of meth, thank god I've been clean for three years) with a female that said she had HIV (I can't quite remember at the time, but she said something about a rare condition). About a week after so, I went to get tested-I was negative, but obviously still at risk. So I continued to get tested every 6 months; negative each time-I also tested for all other STDs-negative and I've continued to do so every six months for FIVE YEARS. Again, NEGATIVE FOR EVERYTHING. I even got a full blood screening, tested enzymes in my blood (check for digestive problems; cancer negative) along with paracites in my feces and TB screening in my lungs; nothing.
Symptoms; About a few weeks or so after exposure I developed the FLU really bad, and my girlfriend at the time also contracted it. About a year afterwards I feel in love with another girl, and felt confident enough to have unprotected sex with her. Shortly afterwards we both had the worst case of the FLU EVER, and she had to be hospitalized for broncitis.
We stayed together until 2007 and I told her about my exposure before than but since we both tested negative for everything so she felt confortable (oh, and there was a mono test too that was negative), but inbetween that time we both continued to get sick-in my case worse. I started to loose a great deal of body mass and my body began to feel and look fragile. Most of the exuberant youthness I've favored in my face has cease to exist. The fatty parts of my face and body (along with the muscle) have gone slack and wasted away. I've lost about 20 pounds and it shows in my face, arms, legs (i've never been "bow-legged", but now I am), chest, abdomen, back, genitals, neck-in short all over. I am less than slender or skinny. I look emanciated; starved.
We both started the coughing fits (me again; before-when first exposed, and again when I meet my new girlfriend), but hers continues and hasn't stopped, but occurs less often (she still coughs (dry) everyday but not as harsh as when after we first started having unprotected sex). My skin seems to have become extremely dry, and I burn more easily-even in winter; I have become extremely pale-We both share this symptom, along with the "hollowed-bruised eyes", the constant restroom trips (constant for more than a year, even after suggested remedies like eatting/drinking right and exercise; diarherra), the discolored "pinkish" fingernails/toenails, flat/pengiun/webbed feet and hands, extreme fatigue, stomach pains, chest pains, nausea, vomiting (less occurant).
It's gotten really bad now, insomuch that my co-workers get sick around me and start to have the same symptoms because of this they fear me. I've had 4 jobs in the last two years and everytime-about a few days to a week or so everyone around me gets really sick and they don't get better (it's always the FLU or FLU-like symptoms). At one of my last jobs, I overheard that my co-workers had to get ANTI-VIRAL treatments and fill out incident reports for on-site injury. About 3/4 of the staff were extremely ill for the entire time I was employed (9 months). Almost all of my co-workers had very apparent illness as it showed in signs and symptoms; coughing fits, nausea, vomitting, repeated restroom breaks, low tolerance to diary products (this is also one of my symptoms and has been for 3 years), "hollowed-bruised eyes", skin discoloration (paleness and pinkish fingernails), extreme fatigue.
My ex-girlfriend's co-workers have the exact same malaise.
Please direct me in the right direction. My doctor doesn't know what's wrong with me, and i'm seeing a rhuematologist on the 8th for my weak, cracking joints (which, again, I've developed-along with my ex).
Symptoms; About a few weeks or so after exposure I developed the FLU really bad, and my girlfriend at the time also contracted it. About a year afterwards I feel in love with another girl, and felt confident enough to have unprotected sex with her. Shortly afterwards we both had the worst case of the FLU EVER, and she had to be hospitalized for broncitis.
We stayed together until 2007 and I told her about my exposure before than but since we both tested negative for everything so she felt confortable (oh, and there was a mono test too that was negative), but inbetween that time we both continued to get sick-in my case worse. I started to loose a great deal of body mass and my body began to feel and look fragile. Most of the exuberant youthness I've favored in my face has cease to exist. The fatty parts of my face and body (along with the muscle) have gone slack and wasted away. I've lost about 20 pounds and it shows in my face, arms, legs (i've never been "bow-legged", but now I am), chest, abdomen, back, genitals, neck-in short all over. I am less than slender or skinny. I look emanciated; starved.
We both started the coughing fits (me again; before-when first exposed, and again when I meet my new girlfriend), but hers continues and hasn't stopped, but occurs less often (she still coughs (dry) everyday but not as harsh as when after we first started having unprotected sex). My skin seems to have become extremely dry, and I burn more easily-even in winter; I have become extremely pale-We both share this symptom, along with the "hollowed-bruised eyes", the constant restroom trips (constant for more than a year, even after suggested remedies like eatting/drinking right and exercise; diarherra), the discolored "pinkish" fingernails/toenails, flat/pengiun/webbed feet and hands, extreme fatigue, stomach pains, chest pains, nausea, vomiting (less occurant).
It's gotten really bad now, insomuch that my co-workers get sick around me and start to have the same symptoms because of this they fear me. I've had 4 jobs in the last two years and everytime-about a few days to a week or so everyone around me gets really sick and they don't get better (it's always the FLU or FLU-like symptoms). At one of my last jobs, I overheard that my co-workers had to get ANTI-VIRAL treatments and fill out incident reports for on-site injury. About 3/4 of the staff were extremely ill for the entire time I was employed (9 months). Almost all of my co-workers had very apparent illness as it showed in signs and symptoms; coughing fits, nausea, vomitting, repeated restroom breaks, low tolerance to diary products (this is also one of my symptoms and has been for 3 years), "hollowed-bruised eyes", skin discoloration (paleness and pinkish fingernails), extreme fatigue.
My ex-girlfriend's co-workers have the exact same malaise.
Please direct me in the right direction. My doctor doesn't know what's wrong with me, and i'm seeing a rhuematologist on the 8th for my weak, cracking joints (which, again, I've developed-along with my ex).
COMMUNITY LEADER
I also wonder if some of this isn't from your meth use. Meth use causes a distinct wasting look, and can also cause some long term damange.
Your HIV test is negative, your co-workers wouldn't get HIV from you even if you did have it.
The co-worker that needed antivirals (and I'm wondering if they meant anti-retrovirals as antivirals are for herpes, and antiretrovirals are for HIV), that was from a work related injury that had nothing to do with you.
I wish you luck in finding out what is going on, but its not HIV. As Emma said, the tests tell more the symptoms.
AJ
Your HIV test is negative, your co-workers wouldn't get HIV from you even if you did have it.
The co-worker that needed antivirals (and I'm wondering if they meant anti-retrovirals as antivirals are for herpes, and antiretrovirals are for HIV), that was from a work related injury that had nothing to do with you.
I wish you luck in finding out what is going on, but its not HIV. As Emma said, the tests tell more the symptoms.
AJ
Regarding HIV, tests are always more reliable than symptoms. You did not contract HIV from your exposure five years ago. If you have been tested every six months for five years and each test has been negative, you do not have HIV.
I really don't know what to say about the symptoms you are experiencing. Some of them seem anxiety-driven, but go see a doctor if you remained concerned. Also, even if you had HIV, all of your coworkers would not be getting sick - you can't transmit the virus just by being around them.
Good luck,
Em
I really don't know what to say about the symptoms you are experiencing. Some of them seem anxiety-driven, but go see a doctor if you remained concerned. Also, even if you had HIV, all of your coworkers would not be getting sick - you can't transmit the virus just by being around them.
Good luck,
Em
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