NOT SURE

On Oct 24th  I ge these 3 little bumps on my penis. they don't hurt, itch or uze. A week later I get the flu. I go to my doctor because I feel terrible and because of the bumps. He tells me it looks like herpes but to go see a specialist. 2 weeks later I still feel achy and am sweating. At his point I have read alot about stds and Hiv. I had anxiety and would wake up in sweats. Not to the point that I needed to change my close but never less sweats. I go tto the specialist and he says it's MC. I think it's better than herpes til I find out MC is also linked to HIV.. In the middle of this my primary care doctor dies in a freak accident. Then my nails start to get like brittle and or change. This happened to me last year with my nails. So i am freaking the hell out cause that's another sign of HIV. i go take my test and thank God it say negative. I haven't had sex in 5 and half months. THE CDC says it takes 3 months for the antibodies to start to show up. I have read it's 6 months. What's the deal? On the same day I find out I am negative I got a second opinion from another specialist and he says its HPV..
I am getting them of in a month.. What are teh chances I tested negative but stil have HIV? I really thought i had it. I never had the flu like that.. any why would fungus just start to grow on my fingers? who else should i go see?   thanks..

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You don't describe any particular risk factors for HIV.  If you're not a gay man or injection drug user, your risk is very low.  And even if you have those risk factors, you probably don't have HIV.  All the typical signs of HIV, including all the ones you describe, are actually more common with many other disorders--most of which aren't serious.  Molluscum contagiosum indeed occurs with higher frequency in HIV-infected persons, but still the large majority of MC cases are in HIV-negative people.

With modern HIV tests, most infected people are positive within 2 weeks, and almost all are positive by 6 weeks; you may be reading outdated CDC information.  So our negative test means you almost certainly aren't infected.  If you want to be even more certain, have another test 6-8 weeks after your last sexual contact.

A dermatologist will be able to diagnose the problem with your nails.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[MLWTR]

You might just have psoriasis on your nails. You could check with a dermatologist. That wouldn't have anything to do with the bumps on your penis, and it's not anything life-threatening or sexually transmitted. Also, onychomycosis (fungal infection of the nails) is a possibility. A dermatologist could diagnose this also.

If you still are having the night sweats and achiness occasionally, you might want to have a checkup with a rheumatologist. Some connective tissue diseases, such as lupus, and psoriatic arthritis, can cause night sweats, joint inflammation, and sometimes ridges and pitting on the nails. Again, I don't think the bumps on the penis would have anything to do with this.

Good luck.

[coach21]

Hey Doc,

I am now seeing some weird things in my mouth. I think the hpv is spreading to my mouth. Who do I see about that? I can't get a dam dermatologist to see me. Everyone tells me 2 weeks. I made an appointment for jan 3 but this has been driving me nuts. As far as why I thought I might have been exposed to HIV,  was due  to  my lack of wearing a condom with serveral girls. Probally close to atleast 14 parnters and some just one night stands. As far as the HPV in the mouth, is it known to cause  cancer?
and what blood tests should i take? Should i just go ask my doc to give me the works for every STD.. The last time i had sex was back in july and i took my HIV test dec 11. I am worried about having gotten a false negative.. I read it happens.. I wish i could see a dermo right now and have him tell me what's up..
thanks for listening and the advice.. it helps me mentally