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HIV - Worried, symptoms and testing
HI Doc,
I'm a family man that, out of stupidity and heavy drinking, one night hanging out with the wrong crowd ended up with a sex worker on Aug 13, and most likely had unprotected sex. I decided based on the odds not to think about it, and because I had suffer with a panic disorder and depression in the past.
On sept 17th I noticed in my left hand knuckles what appeared to be like sores you get when hitting something. The next day my neck started itching and got red, I
started obsessing, and by the next day, I developed a rash, and burning sensation in neck, back and upper chest, also in armpits, with sweat. Also felt it in my Knuckles area and later on went to my other arm. I found a sore in my teeth gum, which
I attributed to an old brush I was using, it went away with a mouth rinse within a day, came back, but I realize the brush was opening it, and went away once I started using new brush. Also, I noticed that most everything left a red mark on my
skin at contact.
On sept 27 I went to a Walk in Clinic, I told the Doc. about my sex encounter, he examined the rash, and found no indication of STD or major health threat. He prescribed MEDROL, the six day dose for the itching and burning. I insisted on HIV
testing and general analysis. I got my blood work done next day on 28 and
started MEDROL after that.
My results came on the September 30th HIV-1 AB SCREEN
W/REFL - NON-REACTIVE and little high in Cholesterol... My urine was clear as well..
Oct 3 I ended Medrol, the skin rash had subsided, but I could still see my fingers leaving a red mark at contact with my skin, little pimples in body and still itchy. I went to see the Doc again on 6th, and he said I shouldn't give
more thought about the rash.
As of today, most symptoms are the same, I noticed a little bleeding
in the tip of my tongue, is like a little cut. My forehead is itching and the burning sensation is there now. I also started feeling light headed
and have had headaches and nausea. I felt as if catching a cold, but not a flu, and feel my face hot. Llittle redness in foreskin, cause of dryness, I had this happen before. Also under the testicles, that may come for sitting too long in front of computer. I'm also sleeping and eating poorly and loosing weight. My level of anxiety and panic are to the roof, it has lessen a little since getting the Non-reactive results, but since I still have same symptoms, I'm driving myself crazy about HIV and infecting my wife and family.
Questions based on the previous:
1) Are the HIV-1 AB SCREEN W/REFL - NON-REACTIVE
result definitive from the time bracket of Aug-13 -
Sept 28? Does it usually takes 2 days to get an accurate result
from i.e. Sept 28-30 in my case?
2) Do you recommend further testing considering the
symptoms I described, rash, sweat,burning sensation,
headache, gum, knuckles, tongue, encounter with
sex worker, hot, etc.
3) Do I have symptoms of HIV or is it all anxiety?
4) Any suggestion to ease my mind?
Thank you SO MUCH!!!!!
I'm a family man that, out of stupidity and heavy drinking, one night hanging out with the wrong crowd ended up with a sex worker on Aug 13, and most likely had unprotected sex. I decided based on the odds not to think about it, and because I had suffer with a panic disorder and depression in the past.
On sept 17th I noticed in my left hand knuckles what appeared to be like sores you get when hitting something. The next day my neck started itching and got red, I
started obsessing, and by the next day, I developed a rash, and burning sensation in neck, back and upper chest, also in armpits, with sweat. Also felt it in my Knuckles area and later on went to my other arm. I found a sore in my teeth gum, which
I attributed to an old brush I was using, it went away with a mouth rinse within a day, came back, but I realize the brush was opening it, and went away once I started using new brush. Also, I noticed that most everything left a red mark on my
skin at contact.
On sept 27 I went to a Walk in Clinic, I told the Doc. about my sex encounter, he examined the rash, and found no indication of STD or major health threat. He prescribed MEDROL, the six day dose for the itching and burning. I insisted on HIV
testing and general analysis. I got my blood work done next day on 28 and
started MEDROL after that.
My results came on the September 30th HIV-1 AB SCREEN
W/REFL - NON-REACTIVE and little high in Cholesterol... My urine was clear as well..
Oct 3 I ended Medrol, the skin rash had subsided, but I could still see my fingers leaving a red mark at contact with my skin, little pimples in body and still itchy. I went to see the Doc again on 6th, and he said I shouldn't give
more thought about the rash.
As of today, most symptoms are the same, I noticed a little bleeding
in the tip of my tongue, is like a little cut. My forehead is itching and the burning sensation is there now. I also started feeling light headed
and have had headaches and nausea. I felt as if catching a cold, but not a flu, and feel my face hot. Llittle redness in foreskin, cause of dryness, I had this happen before. Also under the testicles, that may come for sitting too long in front of computer. I'm also sleeping and eating poorly and loosing weight. My level of anxiety and panic are to the roof, it has lessen a little since getting the Non-reactive results, but since I still have same symptoms, I'm driving myself crazy about HIV and infecting my wife and family.
Questions based on the previous:
1) Are the HIV-1 AB SCREEN W/REFL - NON-REACTIVE
result definitive from the time bracket of Aug-13 -
Sept 28? Does it usually takes 2 days to get an accurate result
from i.e. Sept 28-30 in my case?
2) Do you recommend further testing considering the
symptoms I described, rash, sweat,burning sensation,
headache, gum, knuckles, tongue, encounter with
sex worker, hot, etc.
3) Do I have symptoms of HIV or is it all anxiety?
4) Any suggestion to ease my mind?
Thank you SO MUCH!!!!!
A related discussion, whats wrong with me! was started.
Its been almost 30 days for you, so why not get another test? I was told by a doctor at an STD clinic that most people seroconvert by 25-28 days, many even before then. So there after most people would have an accurate result. Get tested today to ease your anxiety. The test will be reassuring, although you should get a test at 6 weeks to be sure.
From what you described, your test was 6 weeks after your exposure, so it should be accurate. If you are that worried, take another test. Your symptoms sound like anxiety. I have had many of the same, even after a negative hiv test. It took a week for me to get the results of my test, so 2 days seems fine. I took the test 8 weeks after possible exposure.
Hi Doc, everyone,
Thanks for your kind answers and compassion, I really appreciate it. I need to clarify the time period I waited for the blood test. My exposure to HIV (if there was one) with the sex worker was on August 13 and I got my blood work done in September 28th so is about 47 days and a little bit more than 6 weeks if my math is still good.
My results came on September 30th HIV-1 AB SCREEN W/REFL - NON-REACTIVE.
So the same question:
1) Are the HIV-1 AB SCREEN W/REFL - NON-REACTIVE
result definitive from the time bracket of Aug-13 -
Sept 28?
Also, I questioned the use of a steroid (MEDROL) as well, but read the medical info that is suggested for allergic reactions, poison Ivy and so... So he may have thought I had an allergy. Last night I checked the rash again, I was calm, no anxiety, I had a nice dinner for the first time... Anyways, I rubbed my neck with only the tip of my fingers, and I got all freaked out cause my skin reacted as if it was done with my nails, immediately showed redness as if scratches... I took a bath and it easied off, but I was itchy all over back, shoulders and chest. This morning I noticed sweat in the area I rubbed with fingers...
2) I'm thinking, I recently moved to this new house, I bought a new shampoo, you think new water and shampoo combination may be causing an allergic reaction? Needless to say, I've been panicking all morning. Better now after reading your posts...
3) Based on the time bracket, Do you recommend further testing considering the
symptoms I described, rash, sweat,burning sensation, headache, gum, knuckles, tongue, encounter with sex worker, hot, etc.
Again, thanks a lot for all of your kind comments... If anything I'm learning out of this experience is to be compassionate with people suffering with this condition, and also not to drink like that again, respect my family, and to use condoms!!!! peace
Thanks for your kind answers and compassion, I really appreciate it. I need to clarify the time period I waited for the blood test. My exposure to HIV (if there was one) with the sex worker was on August 13 and I got my blood work done in September 28th so is about 47 days and a little bit more than 6 weeks if my math is still good.
My results came on September 30th HIV-1 AB SCREEN W/REFL - NON-REACTIVE.
So the same question:
1) Are the HIV-1 AB SCREEN W/REFL - NON-REACTIVE
result definitive from the time bracket of Aug-13 -
Sept 28?
Also, I questioned the use of a steroid (MEDROL) as well, but read the medical info that is suggested for allergic reactions, poison Ivy and so... So he may have thought I had an allergy. Last night I checked the rash again, I was calm, no anxiety, I had a nice dinner for the first time... Anyways, I rubbed my neck with only the tip of my fingers, and I got all freaked out cause my skin reacted as if it was done with my nails, immediately showed redness as if scratches... I took a bath and it easied off, but I was itchy all over back, shoulders and chest. This morning I noticed sweat in the area I rubbed with fingers...
2) I'm thinking, I recently moved to this new house, I bought a new shampoo, you think new water and shampoo combination may be causing an allergic reaction? Needless to say, I've been panicking all morning. Better now after reading your posts...
3) Based on the time bracket, Do you recommend further testing considering the
symptoms I described, rash, sweat,burning sensation, headache, gum, knuckles, tongue, encounter with sex worker, hot, etc.
Again, thanks a lot for all of your kind comments... If anything I'm learning out of this experience is to be compassionate with people suffering with this condition, and also not to drink like that again, respect my family, and to use condoms!!!! peace
Forgive me as I didnt thoroughly read your original post. 47 days, (almost 7 weeks), is a reliable result. If you are still not convinced, get tested again. But you can surely rely on a 6 week test. The doctor has said this time and time again. In some states, 6 weeks is the window period. You can put your worries to rest with the near 7 week result.
By the way, symptoms mean nothing. The test is the only way to determine if one has HIV. With your negative result, you can put it all to rest. Dont worry about it anymore. Look at it this way, at least you learned something from this whole experience. Its a big time reality check for one to go through such a scare; it was for me. Good luck to you in the future bro.
There is absolutely no reason to be concerned about being scratched by a staple in a hotel room. ZERO RISK!!!!
Depending on the type of rash, there are several topical creams for it. Check with the doc, but you can use over the counter steroid creams such as cortizone 10 cream, or an antifungal topical such as lotrimin. They are effective and will stop the itch as well. If they are not effective enough, you can get a prescription from your doc or derm for topicals such as Mentax or Spectazole cream or a prescription strength cortizone cream. Depending on the underlying cause, a GP can also give you a mild antibiotic along with the topical cream to speed up clearing of the rash. At any rate, rashes are common and will clear up over time. If you have insurance or money to pay for the visit, seek a dermatologist's advice and Im sure they will steer you in the right direction with the proper treatment options and or prescription.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You don't need further HIV testing; a 7 week result is definitive. I can't speculate on the causes of your rash, except to reiterate it isn't due to an STD. The provder who examined you and presecribed the steroid is the one to speak with.
HHH, MD
HHH, MD
Feeling so much better, thank you all for your kind response, I will go see my doc tomorrow, I just got insurance, so I will try set appt with dermatologist as well...
Again, thanks so much!!!!
Again, thanks so much!!!!
Any concern of getting scratched by a loose staple in a hotel room?
Not just HIV. Thanks
Not just HIV. Thanks
I appreciate it my friend, BIG reality check!!!!!! Needless to say, I had never done anything along those lines.... Got drunk before, but never slept around like that. Stupid I know, bloddy booz... But still was my desicion, and I will have to live with that... thanks you all... As for the symptoms, you are right, I will just try to relax and go on with my life. I hope Doc reccomends something for the rash tho and answers my last questions...
peace
peace
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Your first inclination was right--low risk, even unprotected. The odds are the sex worker wasn't HIV infected anyway. Your symptoms are not particularly suspicious for HIV infection.
1) The negative test is somewhat reassuring, but was too soon to be sure. You might want to be retested 4-6 weeks after the exposure.
2) Your symptoms do not sound like HIV. I'm not going to speculate on what might be the cause, and to be honest I'm puzzled by your doctor's decision to use steroids (medrol).
3) As I have said many times on this forum, when a person suggests or believes his/her own symptoms may be due to anxiety or stress, my experience is that they usually are right.
4) My advice is relax, don't worry about it (easy for me to say, I know); and have another HIV test in a couple of weeks. It also will be negative. You don't have HIV.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
1) The negative test is somewhat reassuring, but was too soon to be sure. You might want to be retested 4-6 weeks after the exposure.
2) Your symptoms do not sound like HIV. I'm not going to speculate on what might be the cause, and to be honest I'm puzzled by your doctor's decision to use steroids (medrol).
3) As I have said many times on this forum, when a person suggests or believes his/her own symptoms may be due to anxiety or stress, my experience is that they usually are right.
4) My advice is relax, don't worry about it (easy for me to say, I know); and have another HIV test in a couple of weeks. It also will be negative. You don't have HIV.
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.
