Very nervous

Hi,

My name is Donald and I am a 21 year old straight male who doesnt use any drugs of any kind and suffers from poor choices. I have been having some problems and maybe u can help me. I had unprotected sex around mid december. I knew the girl and she wasnt very primiscuous. After I had sex with her a week later the lymph nodes in my throat where swollen. SInce then I have had alot of other symptoms like white spots in my mouth and a rash on my chest. I just got my 3 month HIV test which came out negative. But the only thing that I am worried about is the spots on my tongue. they are at the back of my tongue. They look like red spots. Should I retest or do u think that the HIV test a 3 months is reliable? I have also had 3 HIV test which all where negative so should I rely on these HIV tests? Thank u in advance for your response.

                       Donald A.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

None of this sounds like HIV or any other STD.  Your sore throat and swollen glands probably were a viral respiratory infection--not related to sex (or you just caught a cold from her).  Or infectious mononuleosis--which contrary to general belief, isn't usually all that dramatic an illness, just swollen glands for a few days.

A negative HIV test is 100% reliable.

As to the red spots on the tongue:  We all have a row of several prominent taste buds on the back of our tongues--normally 7 of them, arranged in a bent line, i.e. a shallow V shape.  Each one is 2-3 mm in size, i.e., a little under 1/8 inch.  My guess is that's what you are seeing.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[Matt1964]

I had my scare of possible HIV as well,  3 month test is good, but 6 month is damn good, and a year later is even better, or as far as I know anyway,  If you tested neg, most likely you will test neg again in 3 more months, some people are different and it takes longer to show up, I would try not to worry, I know how you feel, easier said than done.

Matt1964

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

With the newer ("third generation") HIV ELISA's, 3 months is plenty; nobody becomes positive after that, no need to retest at 6 months or a year.  Almost all labs use the third generation tests routinely.

HHH, MD

[tkassaii]

Listen to the Doc on this one I had an Hiv scare a few months ago and I tested negative up to 9 weeks. You have to try and stop checking yourself for symptoms it makes it so much worse, trust me I did it 24 hours a day and it was driving me crazy. I'm approaching the 3 month mark for my conclusive test even though the doc does not feel that its necassary I think I will sleep better at night. In your case I would rule out Hiv. Read some of the other posts on this site including my question it helps out alot.