Many Symptoms, no Answers?

[UnkownSickness77]

Hello Doctor,

First of all, this service is an amazing achievement, thank you!

I was sure I had HIV, but my 3,8 and 13 weeks tests were negative. I had my partner tested at 4 and 10 weeks also and she is negative as well; however, I am stuck with all of these post-sexual encounter symptoms. Can you please steer me in the right direction?

My History:
25 y.o. heterosexual male
5 sexual partners, prior to this most recent "sexual encounter" I have not had sex for 5 years
No intravenous drugs use
Have my Twinrix HepA/B vaccination

The Story:
Broke up with my GF of 5 years in April, on April 14th, got drunk out of spite, and had protected sex with an acquaintance, that later turned to unprotected sex (vaginal pen. only) for ~20 minutes. Had intercourse only one time.

Onset/Symptoms:

-> 72 hours after intercourse

At night shooting pain in my testes that came and went
Scrotum turned bright red and was abnormally itchy (currently it is still bright red and its texture has changed from smooth and shiny to looking slightly irritated/course and red)

-> Two-weeks

I had a cold when we had sex, that eventually went away in two weeks; however, I had a sore throat that seemed to persist

-> Three-weeks

Flu-Like symptoms, Night Sweats, Fever (3 to 4 days), Dry Hacking cough that was worse at night (lasted a week), aches and pains, strange itchy/tingling sensation all over my body, but mainly in my thigh area, and red throat that is still around

Swollen lymph nodes that appeared in my groin and neck on a unilateral basis - right pelvis and right-side of groin (large and palpable), slight enlargement in left pelvis, throat on both sides, left side of my neck, back right side of my head, and behind my left knee. Thes glands provide the occasional aches and pain, especially the one behind my left knee

Received my 2nd and last Twinrix Hep A/B shot

Was tested for Gono., Chlamydia (pee and swab test), Mono and all were negative

-> Five-weeks to today (14 week mark)

Most symptoms have cleared up; however, the follow still plague me;

Random aches and pains (mainly in hands, neck and lower back)
Eczema on my hands and fingers
Occasional Night sweats
Had one Canker sore on the inside of my bottom lip (I rarely get them, ~ once every 5 years)

The two remaining symptoms that are most concerning to me are;
1) Throat remains Red, but does not hurt, however, there are large yellow/white bumps on the inside of my throat, and small white, immovable bumps on my soft palate
2) My Unilateral lymphadenopathy still persists, albeit the lymph size has gone down, the swelling seems to come and go (lymph size is < 2cm)

Discounting HIV based on tests.....what could this be? Is it possibly Syph., LGV, HSV?

I just had blood tests done for Syph./LGV and Chalmydia awaiting results. Should I also get tested for HSV/Lyme Disease/Lupus? Suggestions?

Thank you so much!!!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I'm afraid I cannot help very much.  Your symptoms are not consistent with HIV or any other known STD.  They probably are unrelated to the sexual exposure you describe, except for the possibility that some of your symptoms might be manifestations of anxiety over that event.  However, it is conceivable you acquired heterophile negative mononucleosis (sometimes due to cytomegalovirus, which can be sexually transmitted; but also probably caused by other [unknown] viruses) at about that time--perhaps from your sex partner, but equally likely from a more casual exposure.

Beyond these speculations, I cannot say what is going on; I strictly limit my opinions on this forum to STD issues.  However, you don't describe anything that sounds alarming.  Since your symptoms seem to be clearing up, most likely they will continue to resolve.  You'll probably never know the cause, but there is no reason to suspect anything serious, and at this juncture I do not recommend further testing.  However, if the symptoms continue and if you have not seen an infectious diseases specialist, that would be a logical next step.

Sorry I can't help further.  Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[UnkownSickness77]

Thank you for your prompt response Doc.

I have one last question/concern for you:

At the 13 week mark I just developed a sore on the top of my foreskin, about 5mm in diameter, red with a very small pin ***** like top to it. it is a little sensitive to touch, I immediately thought of a potential HSV situation.

Do HSV I/II tests detect other HSV types like 6 through 8?

Reason I'm asking, is because it seems as though HHV I/II do not usually provide CMV/Mono-like symptoms while Type 6 through 8 do.

What are yoour thoughts.

Again Thank You!!!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

From your description, the penile lesion sounds like it could be herpes.  Visit a health care provider ASAP (within a day) for examination.  Don't wait; after a day or two it will be harder, perhaps impossible, to get an accurate diagnosis.

The HSV blood tests do not cross-react with other herpes group viruses.  A minor semantic point:  There is no such thing as herpes simplex virus (HSV) types 6 and 8.  The proper terminology is human herpesvirus (HHV) 6, 8, etc.  In any case, regardless of the cause of your penile lesion, I agree that HSV-1 or -2 is not a likely cause of the systemic illness you described above.

HHH, MD

[UnkownSickness77]

Doctor,

My apologies for the barrage of questions; however, the sore has already dissapeared, and reading up on HHV 6 to 8 literature I have scared myself somewhat.

Are there blood tests to detect other HHV strands?

HHV 6 through 8 seem not to cause genital Herpes; however are linked to HIV/AIDS, MS , etc. is it normal for a healthy individuals like myself to catch such a strain?

That being said, would it be prudent to take another HIV test sometime in the future?

From your experience, what are the effects to the carriers of HHV 6 through 8 viruses?

I will get tested ASAP.

Thank you yet again, I will donate $50.00.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Only HSV-2 and sometimes HSV-1 cause genital herpes.  The chance that HHV-6 or -8 is the cause of your symptoms is zero or close to it.  Your symptoms are absolutely typical for at least 100 different conditions.  Follow your health care provider's advice.  As I said, this is an STD site and you have no STD.  I will have no other comment.

HHH, MD