Symptom question

[sdworried]

Dr HHH,



About 2 weeks ago I had a medium risk exposure where the condom failed. I am not aware of the woman’s STD status but am very worries about all the STD’s especially HIV. During the past two days I have had some nausea and dizziness. A few days ago I was constantly checking my tongue and noticed a white coating area – I started to scratch and rub that area to see what it was but it didn’t appear to be anything major. A day later I noticed the area was inflamed (glossitis) and that area appears to have lost the tiny finger-like projections (papillae) from the tongue’s surface.



I read on the internet that glossitis could be a symptom of ARS although I suspect my rubbing of the area may have something to do with it. My questions are:



(1) Could this glossitis inflamed area be a symptom of ARS? I hear that tongue related problems could be HIV but are these common during the ARS phase.



(2)I have also been burping and passing gas a lot over the past two days (more so than normal) and a bit nauseas. My lower abdominals have not been hurting but I definitely sense them moving a lot more. I have read on Yahoo Health that all these symptoms could be HIV. Can you please let me know if these are consistent with your findings in practice.



(3) Also can I get tested tomorrow and if it is negative would that be a good indicator at 2 weeks?



I have not experienced any fever as yet and am hoping I will not. Very frightened doctor so any words would be great.



Thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I don't think of glossitis as a sign of primary HIV infection, but I suppose it can happen.  But other viral infections, more common than HIV, also can do it.  As you likely know, the risk of acquiring HIV from any single episode of vaginal sex is low, even if the woman is infected--which most likely was not the case.



1) "Could be" a symptom of ARS?  I suppose so.  But given the low risk nature of the encounter you describe, it seems unlikely.



2) HIV does not cause gas either upward or downward.  Anxiety does, though.



3) See numerous other threads; search "time to postive HIV test".  Two weeks is a bit early; probably only ~50% of infected people will have positive results that soon.  It gets much higher at 3-4 and afterward.



Good luck-- HHH, MD

[sdworried]

Doctoer,



is muscle twitching a sign of ARS?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Muscle twitching is a normal, physisologic event; everybody has it from time to time.  It  often accompanies stress.  To my knowledge it is not a symptom of ARS.



HHH, MD