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Trouble moving on

Dr.

First, thank you for what you do on this site.  I had an encounter with an Asian female at a massage parlor in New York in August.  I vaginally insterted my finger.  I am not concerned about cuts because I had none.  My concern came when 2-3 minutes afterward I went to the shower and rather that just wash my hands I stuck my finger in the showerhead to wash all the fluids from under the nail.  My finger diverted water/fluids into my eye.  I have been told by my GP and an HIV couselor that the event was virtually non-existent for HIV exposure.  I know syptoms don't equal HIV infections but I have nearly all of them.

5 days afterwards I developed conjunctivitis in my eyes.  Weeks 2-4 I had headaches, thrush, diarhea, tingling arms and legs.  Weeks 4-6 I felt pretty good with the exception of a swollen liver.  Then weeks 6-11 my headaches, thrush and diarhea returned along with loss of appetite, neuropathy, lost 25 pounds and what appeared to be herpes zoster on my forhead and arm.  My wife has developed similar, but not all, the same syptoms.

I had an HIV, gonherea, syphilis and clymidia test at my GP's office 18 days after possible exposure.  All were negative.  I had a negative HomeAccess HIV test at 8 weeks minus 2 days.  I am in couseling for anxiety, stress and to help me figure out why I did what I did.

I've read the archieves but sometimes it's best to directly ask my own questions.

1.  I've seen you state that 8 weeks is conclusive?  There is a lot of conflicting information about HIV exposure.  Can you direct me to any other resource that supports your opinion when most everything else I read is 12 weeks to 6 months?

2.  Do I need additional testing?

3.  Does ARS last for weeks and weeks and come an go?

4.  Is 18 days a good testing time for the other STD test?

Again, thanks for what you do.  It's been a very trying time and if, God willing, I make it through this OK I will never put myself at risk again.

Sincerely,

Troubled

8 Responses
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97676 tn?1340405373
One thing I notice on here is that people confuse Thrush with a bacteria caused white coated tongue.  I brought this subject up to my dentist and he said that its common that he sees patients with a white tongue and its caused by bacteria, not by thrush. Thrush is generally a painful condition.  It causes a yeast like coating on the tongue.  So, having a white tongue does not mean that you have thrush.  The only way to tell for sure that you have thrush is by diagnosis from a practitioner, not by online descriptions or by self-diagnosis through pictures and illustrations.  So from this I can infer that most people who think they have thrush probably dont have it afterall.
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Avatar universal
If you have taken antibiotics lately, they can cause thrush.
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Avatar universal
Can anyone clarify what it is meant by lifetime partners?
A partner is a partner right?
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Avatar universal
ryn21 and the doc know what they are talking about.  So you're not feeling well right now.  Thats what people do.  They get sick and then they get better.  Thats it.  You don't have Hiv.   I know its easy for me to say, but if you stress it will make things much worse.  You are a little sick.  YOu will get better.  Nuff said.  Peace bro.

ryn21.  Thankyou for your kind words in my forum 2 days ago and to all the people you help.  I don't know who you are but you must be a great person.  A guy I would be privileged to know.  May God shine his good grace on you .

asiapilot
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97676 tn?1340405373
I agree with "who is this".  Your exposure was safe (zero risk) and the 8 week home access kit is conclusive evidence you do not have HIV. I know how anxiety can really take a toll on a person's everyday life.  Counseling and treatment for anxiety is a good step to take. Your flu-type symptoms are more or less related to a mild cold.  Conjunctivitis is a common condition, it happens to many people. Try and relax. Put it all behind you now, your fine.
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Avatar universal
Thanks for your comments.  It helps!
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Avatar universal
Since your "exposure" was not an exposure at all, I'm sure he will tell you that:

1--8 weeks is conclusive (since there is no way you could have gotten HIV that way. Would be conclusive anyway, even if you had a low risk exposure.
2--No
3--No
4--Yes

You do not have HIV, based on what you described in your post.  Beyond that, he will tell you to follow up with your doctor.
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239123 tn?1267647614
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Are you serious?  There is absolutely zero risk from the exposure you describe.

1) Time to positive HIV test is irrelevant to your case because there was no risk and getting tested (if that is your only risk) is silly.  But if you want more info, search the threads for "Time to positive HIV test"; and look in particular at the thread "Testing Information" December 9.

2) No. 3) Symptoms never are an accurate indicator of HIV infection.  Since you were not exposed, your symptoms cannot be due to HIV. 4) Don't get (re)tested at all.

HHH, MD
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