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undiagnosed virus PLEASE HELP!!
Hello all. I am a 28 year old male. Some of you may remember me from several months back. Well, I'm here again because my symptoms still persist, and I really need an answer as to what's going on with me. For those who are not familiar with my story, here it is:
In early March, I received oral sex from a stranger (I also had intercourse with her, but it was protected by a condom; no breakages, slip of condom, etc). About 3 weeks after this incident, I started to get a fungal infection in my groin/anal area, which would itch from time to time, along with oral thrush. My genitals also turned a red/pink color. At 5 weeks post-incident, I had all my std work done. Everything came back negative (Heb B, HIV, HSV 1 & 2, gon, clam, syph, etc), however, the fungal infection was confirmed by a swab test. I was prescribed a fungal cream and tablet, but they didn't seem to help. I was also getting headaches at the front of my head daily.
At the 10 week mark, I started getting swollen lymph nodes in my groin and armpits, along with unusual excessive sweating from armpits and palms of hands, even if it wasn't hot outside. I did not have a fever either. I also noticed I was having a tingling and pins and needles sensation in my left hamstring down to my foot. Every once in a while, if I'm sitting still, my muscles will twitch. This mostly comes from my legs, but occasionally it is in my arms and chest as well. I went back to the doctor to have another full panel STD check again, including HIV. The only thing that changed this time is that they picked up a Hepatitis B surface antigen with a 17,000,000 viral load, which I'm told is extremely high. The only problem is they didn't find any antibodies for it, and my liver function tests came back completely normal. I even retook my LFT/ALT 2 weeks after that, and they were still fine. The doctors were stumped with my unusual blood work.
So, I decided to just let things play out and hopefully kick this over time. All last month, for about 4-5 weeks, nearly all of my symptoms really mellowed out with the exception of the swollen lymph nodes. The headaches were gone, no noticeable redness on my scrotum, didn't itch down there (not enough to complain about anyway; I understand we all have an occasional itch there sometimes). Oral thrush and nerve tingling in leg, if they were there, were hardly noticeable.
Then, all of a sudden, about 9 days ago, my symptoms came back! They weren't as bad as the initial symptoms (for example, the sweating on my palms and armpits aren't quite as excessive as before). There is a bit of redness on my scrotum, but not as bad and doesn't itch like crazy as it did before. Oral thrush is back also, along with pins and needles in legs and twitching of muscles/nerves. I went to another doctor to get my lymph nodes checked out; they've been tender for about 3 months now. Doctor examined them and agreed that they were slightly swollen, but told me not to worry about it for now. I argued that I thought there were a couple in my groin that felt 'hard', but he said he's been working with lymph nodes for 43 years and disagreed with me. Btw, they're about the size of a pea. There are 2 on each side in the groin area. He couldn't even feel the ones in my armpits, which is understandable because even I have a hard time locating them. They're just painful from time to time. He told me to give it a few more weeks, then he could do a biopsy on them.
So, here are my list of symptoms to date:
1. Oral thrush (btw, the thrush is just a white coating on my tongue; it's not the typical thing I've read about on the internet where it looks like lesions/califlower or bleeds when scratched off).
2. slight redness on scrotum (genitals/anus doesn't itch near as much as it used to)
3. pins/needles sensation in nerves down left leg, along with muscle twitching
4. swollen lymph nodes in armpits and groin
Okay, so here are my questions:
1. Has anyone else experienced these symptoms and found the cause of it?
2. What could the Hep B surface antigen with 17,000,000 viral load and no antibodies mean? Especially if my symptoms are not classic Hep B symptoms?
3. I've read a lot about oral thrush online, and almost every link goes straight to HIV. Well, I've been tested twice now, and I've been told by all my doctors and other online experts that I DO NOT have HIV. I also understand that thush in HIV-infected people doesn't happen until a later stage. I have read that oral thrush can be due to 'viruses', but that's all it says. Not one website identifies these possible viruses. Does anyone have any idea of what kind of virus can cause thrush besides HIV?
4. If I have a lymph node biopsy, will this identify the problem?
This has been going on for about 5 months now if you include the start of the first couple symptoms. I really need some answers and for this to be overwith. Please help! Thank you, and God bless.
Also, is there any other tests I should ask my doctor about?
In early March, I received oral sex from a stranger (I also had intercourse with her, but it was protected by a condom; no breakages, slip of condom, etc). About 3 weeks after this incident, I started to get a fungal infection in my groin/anal area, which would itch from time to time, along with oral thrush. My genitals also turned a red/pink color. At 5 weeks post-incident, I had all my std work done. Everything came back negative (Heb B, HIV, HSV 1 & 2, gon, clam, syph, etc), however, the fungal infection was confirmed by a swab test. I was prescribed a fungal cream and tablet, but they didn't seem to help. I was also getting headaches at the front of my head daily.
At the 10 week mark, I started getting swollen lymph nodes in my groin and armpits, along with unusual excessive sweating from armpits and palms of hands, even if it wasn't hot outside. I did not have a fever either. I also noticed I was having a tingling and pins and needles sensation in my left hamstring down to my foot. Every once in a while, if I'm sitting still, my muscles will twitch. This mostly comes from my legs, but occasionally it is in my arms and chest as well. I went back to the doctor to have another full panel STD check again, including HIV. The only thing that changed this time is that they picked up a Hepatitis B surface antigen with a 17,000,000 viral load, which I'm told is extremely high. The only problem is they didn't find any antibodies for it, and my liver function tests came back completely normal. I even retook my LFT/ALT 2 weeks after that, and they were still fine. The doctors were stumped with my unusual blood work.
So, I decided to just let things play out and hopefully kick this over time. All last month, for about 4-5 weeks, nearly all of my symptoms really mellowed out with the exception of the swollen lymph nodes. The headaches were gone, no noticeable redness on my scrotum, didn't itch down there (not enough to complain about anyway; I understand we all have an occasional itch there sometimes). Oral thrush and nerve tingling in leg, if they were there, were hardly noticeable.
Then, all of a sudden, about 9 days ago, my symptoms came back! They weren't as bad as the initial symptoms (for example, the sweating on my palms and armpits aren't quite as excessive as before). There is a bit of redness on my scrotum, but not as bad and doesn't itch like crazy as it did before. Oral thrush is back also, along with pins and needles in legs and twitching of muscles/nerves. I went to another doctor to get my lymph nodes checked out; they've been tender for about 3 months now. Doctor examined them and agreed that they were slightly swollen, but told me not to worry about it for now. I argued that I thought there were a couple in my groin that felt 'hard', but he said he's been working with lymph nodes for 43 years and disagreed with me. Btw, they're about the size of a pea. There are 2 on each side in the groin area. He couldn't even feel the ones in my armpits, which is understandable because even I have a hard time locating them. They're just painful from time to time. He told me to give it a few more weeks, then he could do a biopsy on them.
So, here are my list of symptoms to date:
1. Oral thrush (btw, the thrush is just a white coating on my tongue; it's not the typical thing I've read about on the internet where it looks like lesions/califlower or bleeds when scratched off).
2. slight redness on scrotum (genitals/anus doesn't itch near as much as it used to)
3. pins/needles sensation in nerves down left leg, along with muscle twitching
4. swollen lymph nodes in armpits and groin
Okay, so here are my questions:
1. Has anyone else experienced these symptoms and found the cause of it?
2. What could the Hep B surface antigen with 17,000,000 viral load and no antibodies mean? Especially if my symptoms are not classic Hep B symptoms?
3. I've read a lot about oral thrush online, and almost every link goes straight to HIV. Well, I've been tested twice now, and I've been told by all my doctors and other online experts that I DO NOT have HIV. I also understand that thush in HIV-infected people doesn't happen until a later stage. I have read that oral thrush can be due to 'viruses', but that's all it says. Not one website identifies these possible viruses. Does anyone have any idea of what kind of virus can cause thrush besides HIV?
4. If I have a lymph node biopsy, will this identify the problem?
This has been going on for about 5 months now if you include the start of the first couple symptoms. I really need some answers and for this to be overwith. Please help! Thank you, and God bless.
Also, is there any other tests I should ask my doctor about?
Hey, hotspot. Since your encounter was with a co-worker, I assume you see this person quite often....have you asked her if she has had any of the same symptoms as you, and if she has had a full std panel test done?
The tingling/stinging in my penis went away after about 12 weeks. Never had any issues with it after that. The only symptom that I can currently relate to that matches yours is that recently, I started to have lower back pains (along with knee pain).
If you had a full std panel done and everything came back negative, I would advise you to see another doctor for a second opinion. Furthermore, I would not mention the sexual encounter to the doctor. That may sound very strange, but doctors know that people get very paranoid and sometimes overly-worried when it comes to an infection contracted sexually, therefore, they dismiss it as 'anxiety' when all the std tests come back negative. Same thing happened to me with several doctors; they told me it was all in my head. Then...I went to another doctor and ONLY told him my symptoms, nothing else. And guess what...he was the first one that actually believed that there was in fact a problem and was eager to listen and direct me.
I hope they find the problem for you soon and get rid of it for you.
The tingling/stinging in my penis went away after about 12 weeks. Never had any issues with it after that. The only symptom that I can currently relate to that matches yours is that recently, I started to have lower back pains (along with knee pain).
If you had a full std panel done and everything came back negative, I would advise you to see another doctor for a second opinion. Furthermore, I would not mention the sexual encounter to the doctor. That may sound very strange, but doctors know that people get very paranoid and sometimes overly-worried when it comes to an infection contracted sexually, therefore, they dismiss it as 'anxiety' when all the std tests come back negative. Same thing happened to me with several doctors; they told me it was all in my head. Then...I went to another doctor and ONLY told him my symptoms, nothing else. And guess what...he was the first one that actually believed that there was in fact a problem and was eager to listen and direct me.
I hope they find the problem for you soon and get rid of it for you.
I'm in the same boat. Had unprotected sex with a co-worker six months ago. I have been ill ever since. Severe 'tingling' in penis and scrotum, abdominal pain (sometimes severe like punched), lower back pain, pins and needles throughout my body, strange & painful bowel movements and urination. Done full blood work three times and recently did colonoscopy. all negative. Everything is functioning correctly but with pain. I've never been so sick in my life but doctors say its in my head. Sooooo frustrated right now. Is this going to be the rest of my life?.
UPDATE:
Went back in yesterday to get my results from the tests I took last weekend. As you know, from the tests I took 2 weeks ago, I had a bacterial infection in my mouth and was prescribed an antibiotic.
Results:
1. White blood cell count: Normal (which was strange to me considering they found a bacterial infection in my mouth).
2. Diabetes/Blood Sugar Test: Normal (Negative)
3. Red Blood Cell Count: A bit on the high side and high in iron, but doctor said that this is normal considering the lifestyle I live (body-builder=much more protein/red meat than the average person).
4. Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Test: POSITIVE
As all of you already know, I tested positive for the HepB Surface Antigen months back as well, where they didn't find any antibodies and all liver funcion tests came back completely normal. Since this recent test that came back positive again, I have not taken another antibody or liver function test. Doctor recommended to set up an appointment with an immunologist instead, which I will do as soon as I get my health insurance sorted out. Until then, I am post-poning any more tests. So far, 3 doctors (one urologist, one specialist in hepatitis, and one GP) cannot explain my test results. None of them have ever seen a HepB surface antigen test come back positive with no antibodies for it and normal liver function tests.
Symptoms to date:
1. Absolutely no classic symptoms of Hepatitis (jaundice, pain in abdomen, etc.)
2. Lymph nodes in groin still tender (2 noticeable ones)
3. Lymph nodes under armpits, although still there, don't feel as though they are as significant as before, but still get irritated/tender from time to time.
4. Unusual sweating under arms with the slightest bit of physical activity (even walking; and even when it's not warm outside), along with occasional sweaty palms, although rare.
5. Still have the white tongue, which they told me was not thrush after a swab test; instead a bacterial infection. GP told me to give it a couple weeks to improve. If not, they would test again and, if the bacteria was still there, put me on another antibiotic.
6. Still a slight redness on scrotum. It has gotten quite a bit better over the last several months as well as the itching from the anus. Surprisingly, when I was on an antibiotic this past week, they didn't get any worse. When I first got symptoms, the docs put me on antibiotics (after I already had a fungal infection on my scrotum), and they turned VERY red and it covered my entire scrotum. This time, there was absolutely no change to what it has looked like the past couple months (I'm taking this as a good sign that my immune system (if it was, in fact, compromised in the first place is fighting back.....and winning).
Still don't know what to make of the test results. I still think that the HepB test is mistaking another kind of virus for HepatitisB, but I'm no professional. Regardless, the FACTS remain: HepB Surface Antigen positive that HAD a viral load of 17,000,000 (I say 'HAD' because I did the viral load test 3 months ago, and I have no idea what it is now). I will wait to see an immunologist to find more out.
This is all just very strange. But like I said, I'm staying optimistic because the symptoms DO feel like the are slowly getting better (albeit VERY slowly), and all other blood work is coming back completely normal. Hopefully the immunologist will have some answers for me, and this infection will rid itself from my body soon.
I will keep you guys updated. Best wishes and prayers to all who are suffering.
Went back in yesterday to get my results from the tests I took last weekend. As you know, from the tests I took 2 weeks ago, I had a bacterial infection in my mouth and was prescribed an antibiotic.
Results:
1. White blood cell count: Normal (which was strange to me considering they found a bacterial infection in my mouth).
2. Diabetes/Blood Sugar Test: Normal (Negative)
3. Red Blood Cell Count: A bit on the high side and high in iron, but doctor said that this is normal considering the lifestyle I live (body-builder=much more protein/red meat than the average person).
4. Hepatitis B Surface Antigen Test: POSITIVE
As all of you already know, I tested positive for the HepB Surface Antigen months back as well, where they didn't find any antibodies and all liver funcion tests came back completely normal. Since this recent test that came back positive again, I have not taken another antibody or liver function test. Doctor recommended to set up an appointment with an immunologist instead, which I will do as soon as I get my health insurance sorted out. Until then, I am post-poning any more tests. So far, 3 doctors (one urologist, one specialist in hepatitis, and one GP) cannot explain my test results. None of them have ever seen a HepB surface antigen test come back positive with no antibodies for it and normal liver function tests.
Symptoms to date:
1. Absolutely no classic symptoms of Hepatitis (jaundice, pain in abdomen, etc.)
2. Lymph nodes in groin still tender (2 noticeable ones)
3. Lymph nodes under armpits, although still there, don't feel as though they are as significant as before, but still get irritated/tender from time to time.
4. Unusual sweating under arms with the slightest bit of physical activity (even walking; and even when it's not warm outside), along with occasional sweaty palms, although rare.
5. Still have the white tongue, which they told me was not thrush after a swab test; instead a bacterial infection. GP told me to give it a couple weeks to improve. If not, they would test again and, if the bacteria was still there, put me on another antibiotic.
6. Still a slight redness on scrotum. It has gotten quite a bit better over the last several months as well as the itching from the anus. Surprisingly, when I was on an antibiotic this past week, they didn't get any worse. When I first got symptoms, the docs put me on antibiotics (after I already had a fungal infection on my scrotum), and they turned VERY red and it covered my entire scrotum. This time, there was absolutely no change to what it has looked like the past couple months (I'm taking this as a good sign that my immune system (if it was, in fact, compromised in the first place is fighting back.....and winning).
Still don't know what to make of the test results. I still think that the HepB test is mistaking another kind of virus for HepatitisB, but I'm no professional. Regardless, the FACTS remain: HepB Surface Antigen positive that HAD a viral load of 17,000,000 (I say 'HAD' because I did the viral load test 3 months ago, and I have no idea what it is now). I will wait to see an immunologist to find more out.
This is all just very strange. But like I said, I'm staying optimistic because the symptoms DO feel like the are slowly getting better (albeit VERY slowly), and all other blood work is coming back completely normal. Hopefully the immunologist will have some answers for me, and this infection will rid itself from my body soon.
I will keep you guys updated. Best wishes and prayers to all who are suffering.
Please update us when you get your results back. I'm crossing my fingers for you. Good luck!
Thanks for the reply, shyguy. I actually live in Zambia, but flew to South Africa for better specialists. Their hospitals/labs have as good of quality as any european/american standards. No, I don't have health insurance as of yet, but I'm working on it. However, I paid top dollar to see the best doctors available there.
I just went in today to retake the heb b surface antigen test; will let you know the results. I also took a cbc, wbc, and cd4 test. Why do you recommend the hep e test?
The lymph nodes have been tender for 3 months now. I've decided to wait until I get my health insurance sorted out before I do a lymph node biopsy. I did inquire about it, and the doctors said if they do a culture and sensitivity test on it, they would be able to identify the specific virus (if there is one). I have read conflicting info on this on the net; from what I've read, there is no way to identify the virus, only to determine whether or not there is an infection...do you know anything about this?
If you want my honest, non-professional opinion, I don't think I have hepatitis. I have no antibodies for it and no classic symptoms of hepatitis. I believe the sensitive test picked up heb b as a mistake for another virus. And with regard to my symptoms (especially oral thrush), I think something (not hiv, obviously) is weakening my immune system (which is why I requested a wbc and cd4 test).
What do you think of all of this? And can you think of any other viruses that could cause me to have these on-going symptoms??
I just went in today to retake the heb b surface antigen test; will let you know the results. I also took a cbc, wbc, and cd4 test. Why do you recommend the hep e test?
The lymph nodes have been tender for 3 months now. I've decided to wait until I get my health insurance sorted out before I do a lymph node biopsy. I did inquire about it, and the doctors said if they do a culture and sensitivity test on it, they would be able to identify the specific virus (if there is one). I have read conflicting info on this on the net; from what I've read, there is no way to identify the virus, only to determine whether or not there is an infection...do you know anything about this?
If you want my honest, non-professional opinion, I don't think I have hepatitis. I have no antibodies for it and no classic symptoms of hepatitis. I believe the sensitive test picked up heb b as a mistake for another virus. And with regard to my symptoms (especially oral thrush), I think something (not hiv, obviously) is weakening my immune system (which is why I requested a wbc and cd4 test).
What do you think of all of this? And can you think of any other viruses that could cause me to have these on-going symptoms??
Sorry, I meant, 3. Wait - see if the lymph glands go down, if they don't ask for a biopsy in a couple of MONTHS .
Being in South Africa my understanding is that if you have health insurance you should be OK, but that if you do not and you rely on the public system, you may not get the best care??? I am not sure if that is a rumor or if the truth.
Being in South Africa my understanding is that if you have health insurance you should be OK, but that if you do not and you rely on the public system, you may not get the best care??? I am not sure if that is a rumor or if the truth.
Sorry, I meant, 3. Wait - see if the lymph glands go down, if they don't ask for a biopsy in a couple of MONTHS .
Being in South Africa my understanding is that if you have health insurance you should be OK, but that if you do not and you rely on the public system, you may not get the best care??? I am not sure if that is a rumor or if the truth.
Being in South Africa my understanding is that if you have health insurance you should be OK, but that if you do not and you rely on the public system, you may not get the best care??? I am not sure if that is a rumor or if the truth.
Hi there, I think you need to wait. Seeing as you live in South Africa:
1. Have the repeat test and ask if you can get a hepatitis B e antigen added to it.
2. Your blood tests have come back negative for HIV. That's awesome. Just be aware that you need to look after yourself in regards to sex. No drunken one night stands. Use protection etc. That's really important.
3. Wait - see if the lymph glands go down, if they don't ask for a biopsy in a couple of years.
4. Check out patient.co.uk
5. Make sure you are gaining weight and not losing it.
let us know how it goes.
1. Have the repeat test and ask if you can get a hepatitis B e antigen added to it.
2. Your blood tests have come back negative for HIV. That's awesome. Just be aware that you need to look after yourself in regards to sex. No drunken one night stands. Use protection etc. That's really important.
3. Wait - see if the lymph glands go down, if they don't ask for a biopsy in a couple of years.
4. Check out patient.co.uk
5. Make sure you are gaining weight and not losing it.
let us know how it goes.
Update:
No sweaty palms for about 2-3 days now, and the sweating under armpits, although it is still there, has subsided a bit. Note that this has happened before but then flared back up a few weeks ago, so we'll see if it stays gone this time around.
The earache, again, although it is slightly still there, has also subsided a bit. And, same as above symptom, this has happened before, so we'll see if it returns.
Oral thrush is still there, along with fungal infection on scrotum. I am taking flucanazole (again) for it. We'll see how I progress within the next few weeks.
The headache was worst at the 10 week mark. It returned a few weeks ago, along with the other symptoms but, again, not as bad as it was at the 10 week mark.
Still getting muscle/nerve spasms and the pins and needles feeling in left leg.
I have been keeping a close eye/touch on my lymph nodes. I don't want to sound to optimistic here in case it's all a head thing, but it seems like the lymph nodes in my groin are VERY SLOWLY reducing in size. They weren't al that big to begin with, so it's hard to tell. I will keep track of them over the next few weeks.
Like I said, I don't want to be too optimistic about all this. After all, earlier on, my symptoms subsided a bit, but then came back, so we'll see if they come back again in the near future or slowly dissipate. I will keep you guys posted.
Just have a question regarding the hepatitis b. What other kinds of doctors can I see that will know something about hepatitis? I live in southern Africa, so it's hard to find specialists in every field here, and I don't want to spend the money to fly to South Africa everytime I need a checkup. I know a hepatologist was mentioned, but seriously doubt I'll find one here......any other suggestions on what kind of doctor I can see that would have knowledge in Hepatitits?
No sweaty palms for about 2-3 days now, and the sweating under armpits, although it is still there, has subsided a bit. Note that this has happened before but then flared back up a few weeks ago, so we'll see if it stays gone this time around.
The earache, again, although it is slightly still there, has also subsided a bit. And, same as above symptom, this has happened before, so we'll see if it returns.
Oral thrush is still there, along with fungal infection on scrotum. I am taking flucanazole (again) for it. We'll see how I progress within the next few weeks.
The headache was worst at the 10 week mark. It returned a few weeks ago, along with the other symptoms but, again, not as bad as it was at the 10 week mark.
Still getting muscle/nerve spasms and the pins and needles feeling in left leg.
I have been keeping a close eye/touch on my lymph nodes. I don't want to sound to optimistic here in case it's all a head thing, but it seems like the lymph nodes in my groin are VERY SLOWLY reducing in size. They weren't al that big to begin with, so it's hard to tell. I will keep track of them over the next few weeks.
Like I said, I don't want to be too optimistic about all this. After all, earlier on, my symptoms subsided a bit, but then came back, so we'll see if they come back again in the near future or slowly dissipate. I will keep you guys posted.
Just have a question regarding the hepatitis b. What other kinds of doctors can I see that will know something about hepatitis? I live in southern Africa, so it's hard to find specialists in every field here, and I don't want to spend the money to fly to South Africa everytime I need a checkup. I know a hepatologist was mentioned, but seriously doubt I'll find one here......any other suggestions on what kind of doctor I can see that would have knowledge in Hepatitits?
I checked out the link, Shyguy. I read through it a couple times, but I didn't see anything where it say what a high viral load with no antibodies means. Unless I missed something?? I'm going back in 2 weeks to test again for HBsag, and I will let you know the results.
Do you still think this is def Hep B that's giving me a viral load? Or could it possibly be a mistake for something else?
Do you still think this is def Hep B that's giving me a viral load? Or could it possibly be a mistake for something else?
Nothing is ever black and white, it's always grey, so you might not be fatigued if it is mono. Just hang in there and try and not worry, lots of people have swollen glands (for months) and it can end up being nothing, the trick is to keep an eye on them with your Doctor and don't let them rule your life. Just having a plan can help.
Yeah check out the link, it's made for us patients. Half way to 3/4 down the first page there is a good table which can help with interpretation of hep b test results and it explains how say having a high viral load but no antibodies etc
A good thing to do is to just ask your Doc if s/he could discuss with someone else the test results and your symptoms (do it diplomatically though!), and be honest with your Doc, tell him/her you are really concerned, that you lost weight at the beginning from stress etc and they may take the time to discuss with you things more and help alleviate any concerns.
I would not be worried with your weight from what you said.
Hang in there, be aware you are not alone.
Yeah check out the link, it's made for us patients. Half way to 3/4 down the first page there is a good table which can help with interpretation of hep b test results and it explains how say having a high viral load but no antibodies etc
A good thing to do is to just ask your Doc if s/he could discuss with someone else the test results and your symptoms (do it diplomatically though!), and be honest with your Doc, tell him/her you are really concerned, that you lost weight at the beginning from stress etc and they may take the time to discuss with you things more and help alleviate any concerns.
I would not be worried with your weight from what you said.
Hang in there, be aware you are not alone.
And although I've never been tested for CMV or mono, I've never really felt all that fatigued, which is the main symptom of mono, including sore throat. Both of which I haven't had.
Won't hurt to get tested for it I suppose though.
Won't hurt to get tested for it I suppose though.
Thanks shyguy! I just don't understand how I would get a surface antigen with a high viral load and zero anitibodies with completely normal liver tests. Even the doctors were stumped!! And my symptoms have nothing to do with Hep B. But in any case, I will take your advice and follow it up.
And yes, i know oral thrush does not always mean HIV (and even if it was, it would come at a much later stage). I'm not in any way paraniod about HIV anymore. I've had my tests, and that's all that matters. I've stressed enough about HIV, and I'm done with it.
Yes, I did lose a lot of weight in the beginning, but there was a reason for it......I stopped eating!!! I would go days without eating anything; not because i physically couldn't, it's just that the mental stress I was putting myself through made it so difficult that I didn't even want to think about food. After a while, I regained most of my mental stability and started eating and exercising again. Got almost all the weight back! By the way, I lost that weight BEFORE I had swollen lymph nodes (if it matters).
And yes, i know oral thrush does not always mean HIV (and even if it was, it would come at a much later stage). I'm not in any way paraniod about HIV anymore. I've had my tests, and that's all that matters. I've stressed enough about HIV, and I'm done with it.
Yes, I did lose a lot of weight in the beginning, but there was a reason for it......I stopped eating!!! I would go days without eating anything; not because i physically couldn't, it's just that the mental stress I was putting myself through made it so difficult that I didn't even want to think about food. After a while, I regained most of my mental stability and started eating and exercising again. Got almost all the weight back! By the way, I lost that weight BEFORE I had swollen lymph nodes (if it matters).
http://labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/hepatitis-b/tab/test
? infectious mononucleosis?
? infectious mononucleosis?
Your high viral load is not from another virus. If anything, you should get your hepatitis B testing performed a again in a couple of weeks. If you are concerned you could ask if your doctor of they could discuss over the phone with an infectious diseases physician or a hepatologist or a virologist at a lab.
Oral thrush does NOT always mean HIV
In regards to your lymph nodes - have you lost weight? I take it you had a full blood count? If you are getting annoyed with this and are really, worried, you could ask your doctor for lymph node biopsy, but be aware it may not be necessary.
Oral thrush does NOT always mean HIV
In regards to your lymph nodes - have you lost weight? I take it you had a full blood count? If you are getting annoyed with this and are really, worried, you could ask your doctor for lymph node biopsy, but be aware it may not be necessary.
I understand Grace. I'm not sure how much knowledge you have on viral load......but, what I'm asking is, if this is NOT hep b and, instead, just another general, non-std related viral infection, do you think that some 'random virus' I picked up could give me a viral load this high?
as I said, I am not familiar with hepatitis testing to know what you had done, the false positive issues or anything else. I just know that when folks have active hepatitis infections, there are changes in their liver function and also their white count goes up along with changes in the differential count in their blood.
honestly I don't think what is going on is remotely std related.
honestly I don't think what is going on is remotely std related.
Also, Grace, do you think that some 'virus at the office' would give me a viral load of 17,000,000??
Thank you Grace, and I will follow this up in the Hepatitis B forum. But please understand that all of these symptoms occured 3 weeks after an oral sex exposure (I hadn't had intercourse before this for over a year). This is definitely something I picked up from that exposure, even if it is not a classic STD. Maybe some other random viral infection?? What do you think?
I know you mostly deal with STD's, but can you think of absolutely anything that can be causing this? With all the experience you've had and the posts you've read, surely you've come across others on here that have had similar symptoms??
Can you give me any advice/suggestions as to what I can speak with my doctor about as far as testing goes? Any 'general' testing I can do to see if there is a viral infection or if my immune system is functioning properly? Sorry, I'm not familiar with all the random tests doctors use, which is why I'm asking you for your opinion.
Thank you.
I know you mostly deal with STD's, but can you think of absolutely anything that can be causing this? With all the experience you've had and the posts you've read, surely you've come across others on here that have had similar symptoms??
Can you give me any advice/suggestions as to what I can speak with my doctor about as far as testing goes? Any 'general' testing I can do to see if there is a viral infection or if my immune system is functioning properly? Sorry, I'm not familiar with all the random tests doctors use, which is why I'm asking you for your opinion.
Thank you.
you'd have to ask about the hepatitis testing you had in that forum - we don't cover that here. I am not up to date on the differences in hepatitis testing but with normal liver function, this isn't active hepatitis causing your symptoms.
sometimes your body gets run down and it seems like you are catching everything going around ( you know, every virus at the office and such ). as the old saying goes - if it weren't for bad luck , I'd have no luck at all. sometimes happens to all of us and takes a few months to get back up to "normal" again.
sometimes your body gets run down and it seems like you are catching everything going around ( you know, every virus at the office and such ). as the old saying goes - if it weren't for bad luck , I'd have no luck at all. sometimes happens to all of us and takes a few months to get back up to "normal" again.
Thank you, Grace. And to tell you the truth, I actually did move on there for a while, even while I was still having symptoms. The only thing that changed from the last time I was on here is the fact that, as I mentioned above, I came back with a positive hep b surface antigen with a viral load of 17,000,000; no antibodies, and all liver function tests normal.
With this new information, along with a relapse of my symptoms last week, I'm really confused, which is why I'm back here. Yes, I can appreciate in the beginning, how you could feel that this was all just in my head. But now with this new information from the tests I've done since the last time I spoke with you, it is clear that there is something wrong. I don't really see how that is, in any way, debatable.
I would really just like to know what's causing my symptoms. I know it's nearly impossible to diagnose someone on the internet. I'm just looking for advice/suggestions as to what COULD be going on and suggestions on what I can talk to my doctor about regarding the symptoms I listed above.
And I know you're not trying to be cruel. You've helped me out a lot in the past. I took your advice and ALMOST moved on with everything despite the symptoms I was having.......until I got this new information from my tests.
If you can recommend/advise absolutely anything (besides psychiactric treatment), I would really appreciate it. Thank you.
With this new information, along with a relapse of my symptoms last week, I'm really confused, which is why I'm back here. Yes, I can appreciate in the beginning, how you could feel that this was all just in my head. But now with this new information from the tests I've done since the last time I spoke with you, it is clear that there is something wrong. I don't really see how that is, in any way, debatable.
I would really just like to know what's causing my symptoms. I know it's nearly impossible to diagnose someone on the internet. I'm just looking for advice/suggestions as to what COULD be going on and suggestions on what I can talk to my doctor about regarding the symptoms I listed above.
And I know you're not trying to be cruel. You've helped me out a lot in the past. I took your advice and ALMOST moved on with everything despite the symptoms I was having.......until I got this new information from my tests.
If you can recommend/advise absolutely anything (besides psychiactric treatment), I would really appreciate it. Thank you.
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Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
