Some questions I cannot find answers to

Same story as many others. Protected Oral and Vaginal (same condom) sex with a sex worker in China. During the vaginal sex, my erection was weak.

18 hours later developed a burning pain in penis tip with a red discoloration. No pain during urination some groin/lower abdominal pain and anxiety. 2 days later urine test taken and returned negative for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea. Given 1500mg Zithromax that did not help then Cipro 250mg x2 for 7 days, which helped, but then pain returned once completed. Given 2000mg of Zithromax that helped until about 36 hours afterwards then pain returned.

Another round of tests 13 days after including Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis and PCR RNA HIV. All returned negative. Prescribed Doxycycline 100mg x2 for 7 days. Almost at the end of that course and feeling mostly better, 90%.

15 days after initial contact developed water eyes along with blood tainted mucous during nose blowing, a white coated tongue and a sore throat. Also developed a red splotchy rash on stomach and upper abdomen along with continual night sweats.

Questions:
1) What kind of reassurance can you give me?
2) What is known about China and HIV stats?
3) During ARS, antibodies are being developed. How long after symptoms develop does an antibody test react positive?
4) Is the OraQuick Advance considered the latest antibody test? Is a 6-week result considered conclusive. While not recommend, does a negative 4-week PCR result provide conclusivity?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Because of condom use for both vaginal and oral sex, you could not have acquired any STD during the encounter you describe. Further, no STD can cause symptoms only 18 hours after exposure; I suspect the condom contained the spermicide nonoxynol-9, which sometimes causes the symptoms you describe.  You did not need STD or HIV testing, and you can rely on the negative test results.  To answer your questions:

1) You can be certain you did not acquire any STD during the exposure you describe.

2) China has a large and growing HIV problem, but I have no further details.

3) Symptoms never are a reliable indicator of ARS.  If there are symptoms, the antibody test turns positive about the same time.

4) A negative antibody test at 6 weeks is conclusive.  A negative PCR test at 4 weeks also is strong evidence against HIV infection.

Bottom line:  All your questions are irrelevant to your situation, since you could not have been infected during the encounter you describe.

HHH, MD

[whatalongstrangetrip]

Many times people that post the same situation, with the same 2-3 week post symptoms have gone through a similar nuclear dosages of antibiotics.

What are the chances that many of the symptoms (i.e. Candida, Rash, etc) are a result of the antibiotics, where several different types have been prescribed in sometimes high dosages?

In addition, just for my own knowledge is the OraQuick Advance the latest/best antibody test?

[gotherpeslifeisover]

This is off the subject I know and I do apologize..but I just read something VERY disturbing and would like to know if it's true. I read that nurses who test positive for HIV are not allowed to perform "typical" nursing jobs (where they have contact with patients that could possibly cause patients to be infected)..is this true? Do you have to take an HIV test to go into nursing for that matter? I'd heard this before, but one of my instructors told me that was absolutely not true.

[needitresolved]

I really can't see why that is such disturbing information

[gotherpeslifeisover]

I think it disturbed me because I would have never thought that an employer would delve into your personal business in that manner..even if it was supposedly to protect the health of the public. Like I said my instructor (who is also an RN here) said that is not in place as of now, but they are looking into it. Would anyone be kind enough to confirm that as being true or not?