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Low Body Temps, What is the problem??? Cause for concern???
For about the past week, I have been keeping a close eye on my body temperature. In the morning i have noticed temps as low as 96.5 up to 97.4. I have to mention i sleep with a fan on. During the day, my temperature fluctuates, between 97.4 - 99.0 . Is this a normal finding? Are there any std's associated with these findings, low body temps? I have not had any flu like illnesses or any other conditions associated with the low body temps. I actually cant remember the last time i was sick. I was tested for stds including hiv at 10 days and 40 days after a single sexual contact with a female, which came back negative. Is there a cause for concern?
In the past I have had tests done at clinics. I feel more comfortable having them done through quest diagnostics through my GP. I have overcome a lot of my anxiety with this whole situation. I realized I was overreacting. The girl who I had intercourse with said she was fine except for HSV2 which showed on her blood test but not in her pap or culture. She found out after being tested after the condom broke. Thats what caused my concern and anxiety in the first place. My GP also says I am overreacting and I need to relax. It didnt help that i have anxiety issues to begin with. I suffer from anxiety disorders.
I am now comfortable with my 40 day negative result, just 2 days shy of 6 weeks. I also showed no symptoms to make me think that I had anything to begin with. Its that damned anxiety.
I still wish to visit this forum and try and help others in here. I am a good listener and with the things I am learning on here every day, I wish to share them with others. I get a good feeling out of giving a person comfort.
I went through the anxieties that others in here are going through. Most of the time, they are unneccessary. Unfortunately, things do not go the way we wish them to, such as in Mackia's case. God bless him, I hope he pulls through.
PS..Please limit comments. I dont want this one to fill up.
I am now comfortable with my 40 day negative result, just 2 days shy of 6 weeks. I also showed no symptoms to make me think that I had anything to begin with. Its that damned anxiety.
I still wish to visit this forum and try and help others in here. I am a good listener and with the things I am learning on here every day, I wish to share them with others. I get a good feeling out of giving a person comfort.
I went through the anxieties that others in here are going through. Most of the time, they are unneccessary. Unfortunately, things do not go the way we wish them to, such as in Mackia's case. God bless him, I hope he pulls through.
PS..Please limit comments. I dont want this one to fill up.
I just thought of something as well. If you still want to have an HIV test for your own sanity, you can get a free test, probably a rapid test, at a public testing site, instead of paying for it. Do you live in a major city?
J
J
Ryn,
Sounds like you're in the clear! A real live doctor who knows your situation has given you a clean bill of health.
The best thing is to do what Monkeyflower does; just get tested for HIV once a year or so, as part of a general checkup, as long as you're sexually active. You don't need to get one after each event. And stay safe, like Dr. H always says.
Congratulations, you now have to figure out what to do for the next 80 years on earth. After my final HIV test, I came home and realized I still had lots of problems, only now, there was no HIV to distract me from them!
J
Sounds like you're in the clear! A real live doctor who knows your situation has given you a clean bill of health.
The best thing is to do what Monkeyflower does; just get tested for HIV once a year or so, as part of a general checkup, as long as you're sexually active. You don't need to get one after each event. And stay safe, like Dr. H always says.
Congratulations, you now have to figure out what to do for the next 80 years on earth. After my final HIV test, I came home and realized I still had lots of problems, only now, there was no HIV to distract me from them!
J
I spoke to my GP today and asked him about taking another HIV test. He said my insurance would not cover another test for another 3 months and that I would have to pay the full amount for one. Money is no problem. But he suggested against testing because he said my tests at 10 and 40 days negative were conclusive given my low risk situation and the effectiveness of modern tests. He also stated on the absence of classic ARS symptoms, he did not see a reason for serious concern or further testing at all. Do you think i can be comfortable with my docs words and with my two tests?
I'm glad you found my post helpful! I thank my dad for teaching me to weigh risks and take reasonable precautions. He's not reckless, but he is adventurous. He's in his late 70s and still goes parasailing and soaring :-)
Put down the thermometer and back away from it slowly. Put away the high powered flashlight that you are probably using to examine your genitals with too. Mirror on the floor too. Scale back your testicular examinations to once a month!
Sometimes the best thing you can do is find a new hobby to occupy your time while you are waiting for the final, repeat testing for std's after an encounter. The more you think about std's the more you will worry. The more you look at your body the more you will find that alarms you even if it's a completely normal finding. The more you take your temperature the more you will notice completely normal flucuations in temperature and feed your anxiety about it all. Go out and do something completely non-computer/non-std. Enjoy the weather during the changing of the seasons. Go out with friends. Pick up some books to read. Rent old movies you've never seen but you know you should see at least once in your lifetime ( set a goal to see every oscar winner for the last 20 years if nothing else and of course invite friends over to watch them with you ). Go do volunteer work in your community. Anything that doesn't involve std's! You've educated yourself on how and when to test and nothing is going to change the amount of time you have to wait no matter how much you obsess about it and worry about it. Might as well go have fun in life instead of worrying about things you can not change don't you think?
Sometimes the best thing you can do is find a new hobby to occupy your time while you are waiting for the final, repeat testing for std's after an encounter. The more you think about std's the more you will worry. The more you look at your body the more you will find that alarms you even if it's a completely normal finding. The more you take your temperature the more you will notice completely normal flucuations in temperature and feed your anxiety about it all. Go out and do something completely non-computer/non-std. Enjoy the weather during the changing of the seasons. Go out with friends. Pick up some books to read. Rent old movies you've never seen but you know you should see at least once in your lifetime ( set a goal to see every oscar winner for the last 20 years if nothing else and of course invite friends over to watch them with you ). Go do volunteer work in your community. Anything that doesn't involve std's! You've educated yourself on how and when to test and nothing is going to change the amount of time you have to wait no matter how much you obsess about it and worry about it. Might as well go have fun in life instead of worrying about things you can not change don't you think?
Hi there,
There's a good commentary below from monkeyflower about ways to alleviate testing anxiety during an HIV scare. I think the name of the thread was "do i retest?" or something like that; anyways it's one with a lot of comments on the thread.
My main technique during past scares was just to busy myself with other things, much like grace advises. Also, I try to list what all my fears are and research them one by one. When I look at the list and see how all evidence of something bad happening points to slim chances of anything being wrong, I feel better and let things go. If you're like me, you need to take the test with the safest window period possible, to feel confident that there's nothing wrong.
Other than that, HIV scares are hard because the disease is so scary; some of the anxiety is simply impossible to overcome until the test results are in.
J
There's a good commentary below from monkeyflower about ways to alleviate testing anxiety during an HIV scare. I think the name of the thread was "do i retest?" or something like that; anyways it's one with a lot of comments on the thread.
My main technique during past scares was just to busy myself with other things, much like grace advises. Also, I try to list what all my fears are and research them one by one. When I look at the list and see how all evidence of something bad happening points to slim chances of anything being wrong, I feel better and let things go. If you're like me, you need to take the test with the safest window period possible, to feel confident that there's nothing wrong.
Other than that, HIV scares are hard because the disease is so scary; some of the anxiety is simply impossible to overcome until the test results are in.
J
Doc, I dont know why i check my temp so much. Its mostly caused by anxiety i guess. Im not a woman trying to conceive. I appreciate your response and thank you for helping ease my anxiety once again. I think its time to bump up my dosage of anxiety meds.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Aha! I didn't recognize the sign-in name.
JohnnyV is right.
HHH, MD
JohnnyV is right.
HHH, MD
Hi,
I remember you. I suspect the doc will tell you that body temperature fluctuates naturally. The HIV test results, and the fact that you had only one brief encounter, point to the fact that all odds are in your favor. I'm rooting for you on the 12-week test, which I'm sure will be good news.
J
I remember you. I suspect the doc will tell you that body temperature fluctuates naturally. The HIV test results, and the fact that you had only one brief encounter, point to the fact that all odds are in your favor. I'm rooting for you on the 12-week test, which I'm sure will be good news.
J
I would like to add that i posted in here before. I mentioned how i was engaging in sexual intercourse with a female and less than 1 minute into it, the condom broke. I was unprotected for less than 1-2 minutes. Tests negative at 10 and 40 days.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your body temperature undoubtedly is normal. Everybody's temperature fluctuates exactly like yours. 98.6 is the average in the population. Some people average a little higher, some a little lower, and most people don't average exatly 98.6. Certainly there is nothing in your story to suggest an STD.
Why are you taking your temperature so often anyway? If you are a woman trying to conceive, it might make sense. Temperature rises a degree or so on the day of ovulation; sometimes couples trying to conceive are advised to monitor the woman's temperature daily in mid-cycle and have sex the day it rises. But other than that, or on the basis of a doctor's advice because of concern about certain illnesses, I'm a bit puzzled why you even know about your varying temperature.
Anyway, you have nothing to worry about. I hope that helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Why are you taking your temperature so often anyway? If you are a woman trying to conceive, it might make sense. Temperature rises a degree or so on the day of ovulation; sometimes couples trying to conceive are advised to monitor the woman's temperature daily in mid-cycle and have sex the day it rises. But other than that, or on the basis of a doctor's advice because of concern about certain illnesses, I'm a bit puzzled why you even know about your varying temperature.
Anyway, you have nothing to worry about. I hope that helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
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.
