Aa
hiv?
i had what I consider to be an at risk experience 6 months ago. The experience itself lasted ~5 minutes and was protected vaginal sex. ~2 months after the experience I had the following symptoms:
> splotchy red patches of skin in pubic region
> sharp shooting pains in groin and tip of penis
> red pimples and flaky skin on cheeks (this has since disappeared) -- what I self diagnosed to be seb derm
> self-diagnosed thrush on the tongue only (this has since diminished and was never thick in the first place -- the doctor said I had a "geographic tongue")
Most of the above symptoms have disappeared. Recently (past 2 weeks) i've developed a bit of a cough; Also over the past 4 weeks I've had very moderate and infrequent (not drentching) night sweats. Also, today and last night I developed a fever and the glands in my neck are swollen. I was tested for HIV over 5 weeks ago and my doctor still hasn't gotten back to me despite calling him meself.
Question: The fact the doctor hasn't called back is that a good/bad sign? I imagine if it were a positive test he'd have a responsibility to contact me ASAP. RIght?
Question: Does this experience and my recent symptoms sound like HIV especially considering the timing and fever like symtoms in conjunction with everything else?
Thx. MUC
PS -- I've contacted the doctor again so hopefully I'll know soon enough. Just looking for some peace of mind in the meantime.
> splotchy red patches of skin in pubic region
> sharp shooting pains in groin and tip of penis
> red pimples and flaky skin on cheeks (this has since disappeared) -- what I self diagnosed to be seb derm
> self-diagnosed thrush on the tongue only (this has since diminished and was never thick in the first place -- the doctor said I had a "geographic tongue")
Most of the above symptoms have disappeared. Recently (past 2 weeks) i've developed a bit of a cough; Also over the past 4 weeks I've had very moderate and infrequent (not drentching) night sweats. Also, today and last night I developed a fever and the glands in my neck are swollen. I was tested for HIV over 5 weeks ago and my doctor still hasn't gotten back to me despite calling him meself.
Question: The fact the doctor hasn't called back is that a good/bad sign? I imagine if it were a positive test he'd have a responsibility to contact me ASAP. RIght?
Question: Does this experience and my recent symptoms sound like HIV especially considering the timing and fever like symtoms in conjunction with everything else?
Thx. MUC
PS -- I've contacted the doctor again so hopefully I'll know soon enough. Just looking for some peace of mind in the meantime.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
There must be a hundred things that could cause all or some of the symptoms you desribe, other than HIV--and most of them much more common than HIV, especially in a persons not in one of the standard high-risk groups. The one symptom that is most suggestive of HIV is "thrush on tongue"--but thrush doesn't primarily involve the tongue, and certainly a medical non-professional can't just look at his/her own tongue and diagnose thush. If you are referring to a white coating on the tongue, a large number of viral infections and other (mostly non-serious) things can cause it.
You don't have HIV.
HHH, MD
You don't have HIV.
HHH, MD
What symptoms Would make you concerned of HIV?
While waiting for my results I'm having a hard time finding an explanation for my symptoms. Generally I'm an extermely healthy person, I've never had symptoms like this before in my life. Coupled with the fact that these symptoms came during the ~6 month period directly after an "at risk experience", I can't find any other explanation besides HIV :-(
Thx.
MUC
While waiting for my results I'm having a hard time finding an explanation for my symptoms. Generally I'm an extermely healthy person, I've never had symptoms like this before in my life. Coupled with the fact that these symptoms came during the ~6 month period directly after an "at risk experience", I can't find any other explanation besides HIV :-(
Thx.
MUC
One final question, which I'm sure illustrates the naivity of medical my understand -- Can other STD's such as Herpes be "carriers" of HIV?
For instance, if it's Hypothetically easier to contract Herpes than it is to contract HIV, could HIV "latch on to" the Herpes virus and be transmitted along with it?
Thx.
For instance, if it's Hypothetically easier to contract Herpes than it is to contract HIV, could HIV "latch on to" the Herpes virus and be transmitted along with it?
Thx.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
More than enough time. 4 weeks is enough.
HHH, MD
HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm not sure whether HIV attached to other STD viruses and bacteria themselves. However, HIV is often present in the immune cells that respond to herpes or another STD. In other words, the virus is present in high concentrations in the genital secretions or sores of persons with herpes, chlamydia, etc. Likewise, the immune cells that respond to HSV are especially susceptible to HIV if exposed to the virus. Therefore, other STDs increase the risk of HIV transmission if either partner is infected. For example, a person with genital HSV-2 infection who is sexually exposed to HIV is more likely to catch HIV; and an HSV-2-infected person with HIV is more likely to transmit it to his/her partner(s).
The same applies to all STDs. The presence of STDs is a major factor in who gets HIV and who doesn't. This is one of the main reasons heterosexually transmitted HIV is much more common in, say, tropical Africa than in most of the US and other industrialized countries. And it is one of the most important reasons why STDs are important to prevent: chlamydia or herpes or gonorrhea can be serious, but often are not. But even if mile, they increase the odds of giving or getting the big one.
HHH, MD
The same applies to all STDs. The presence of STDs is a major factor in who gets HIV and who doesn't. This is one of the main reasons heterosexually transmitted HIV is much more common in, say, tropical Africa than in most of the US and other industrialized countries. And it is one of the most important reasons why STDs are important to prevent: chlamydia or herpes or gonorrhea can be serious, but often are not. But even if mile, they increase the odds of giving or getting the big one.
HHH, MD
Thx for your quick reply.
The HIV test was taken 5 months after the @ risk incident. Is this enough time after exposure for an accurate test? Thanks!
The HIV test was taken 5 months after the @ risk incident. Is this enough time after exposure for an accurate test? Thanks!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No, your symptoms don't make me concerned about HIV. And as I have said many times in this forum, the risk of HIV transmission from a single episode of vaginal intercourse, especially from female to male, is very low.
As you imply, most health care providers would try hard to make sure someone with a newly positive HIV test learned the result--so no news probably is good news.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
As you imply, most health care providers would try hard to make sure someone with a newly positive HIV test learned the result--so no news probably is good news.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the STDs Forum
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.
