Am I right to push for a test here?

[Rich UK]

Your forum is great - very helpful and my question is slightly different from others in the forum.

Like many others I had a one off exposure with a sex worker giving me oral for about two minutes, followed by protected vaginal sex. Having experienced symtpoms of yeast infections and flu-like symptoms after about 9 weeks I began to panic.

I am in the u.k. and have been tested for HIV at 77 days, chlamydia and gonhorrea (all negative) yet the symtpoms persist and they did not feel a syphilis test was necessary. I have pushed for one and am concerned that I should be re-tested for HIV though your other forum answers seem to suggest that I am over-anxious about the accuracy of the result.

If the syphilis test is negative should I leave it at that? If it is positive should I retest for HIV?

The G.U.M clinic counsellors did not feel that an HIV test was warranted but did it to calm my anxiety.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Thanks for the compliment about the forum.  If you have read it a lot, you might have seen what I am about to say:  HIV laboratory tests are far more reliable indicators of HIV infection than symptoms are.  You can rely 100% on a negative test at 77 days.  The negative result shows that HIV cannot be the cause of your symptoms.

I don't know what you mean by symptoms of "yeast" (genital rash?).  Yeast infection are uncommon in men - but what did the GUM clinician say about it?

I suggest continuing to follow up at the GUM clinic or with your primary health care provider if your symptoms persist. But HIV is not a concern.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[Rich UK]

Thank you for such a prompt reply. My first symptoms were an itchy rash around the head of my foreskin about four weeks after exposure. This was treated with Clotrinazole Cream and cleared up but I've had a sore throat, aching limbs and massive anxiety for about two weeks now - hence all the tests. Part of the problem was seeing a doctor who did not seem to know what it was - he gave me fluconazole to clear up the rash the second time and it seems to have got worse. After the fluconazole I've had these symptoms. The doctor at the G.U.M. ruled out herpes and their position is that I am hiv free. Somebody suggested EBV.

Thanks again for your time - its a great help.