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STDs (Expert Forum)
13 weeks all kinds of symptoms
Answered by
Edward W Hook, MD - HIV Prevention, stds
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
13 weeks all kinds of symptoms
by Insina, Mar 24, 2008 10:47AM
Dear doctors,
I am facing a 13 weeks history of several symptoms after having had unprotected sex with a prostitute in Germany. Of course I am fearing HIV most, but my symptoms seem to last longer than normal ARS and I’d really like to know what’s possibly wrong with me...
3 weeks after the exposure I left Germany to start my new job in China.
4-5 weeks after the exposure I started to feel a fatigue. Well actually already when I arrived China but that should have been still the jet-lag.
After 6 weeks (39 days) I got tested for HIV1/2, Syphillis, Hepatitis B & C and TB. During this week I also had some hot flushes which might got caused by the stress.
After 8 weeks I noticed that my left back knee is swollen. I also felt a burning sensation in back knee. A few days later my whole knee started to pain, specially when I took long walks. Although the swelling was just in the left knee, I felt this pain in both legs. I had knee problems before, but that was caused by long runs and occured in the outer side of the patella. The pain disappeared after 2 weeks, but 1 week later it all started again.
After 7-8 weeks I also recognized a very small red blister at the edge of my glans which sometimes turn grey.
After 12 weeks I had a stiff neck. First I thought it might be swollen glands, but I couldn’t feel or see anything. This condition lasts now again for over a week.
A few days ago I had a cystitis which lasted for two days.
And finally I have problems which my left eye for several weeks now. It feel a slight pressure at the outside.And my eyes are often dry.
Going to have another test is not really an option for me right now as in China STDs are a quite sensitive topic and I might risk my residence permit. So I still have to wait until I can leave the country for this test. But I would really appreciate any opinion on my symptoms as I am really getting mad.
Thanks a lot!!!
I am facing a 13 weeks history of several symptoms after having had unprotected sex with a prostitute in Germany. Of course I am fearing HIV most, but my symptoms seem to last longer than normal ARS and I’d really like to know what’s possibly wrong with me...
3 weeks after the exposure I left Germany to start my new job in China.
4-5 weeks after the exposure I started to feel a fatigue. Well actually already when I arrived China but that should have been still the jet-lag.
After 6 weeks (39 days) I got tested for HIV1/2, Syphillis, Hepatitis B & C and TB. During this week I also had some hot flushes which might got caused by the stress.
After 8 weeks I noticed that my left back knee is swollen. I also felt a burning sensation in back knee. A few days later my whole knee started to pain, specially when I took long walks. Although the swelling was just in the left knee, I felt this pain in both legs. I had knee problems before, but that was caused by long runs and occured in the outer side of the patella. The pain disappeared after 2 weeks, but 1 week later it all started again.
After 7-8 weeks I also recognized a very small red blister at the edge of my glans which sometimes turn grey.
After 12 weeks I had a stiff neck. First I thought it might be swollen glands, but I couldn’t feel or see anything. This condition lasts now again for over a week.
A few days ago I had a cystitis which lasted for two days.
And finally I have problems which my left eye for several weeks now. It feel a slight pressure at the outside.And my eyes are often dry.
Going to have another test is not really an option for me right now as in China STDs are a quite sensitive topic and I might risk my residence permit. So I still have to wait until I can leave the country for this test. But I would really appreciate any opinion on my symptoms as I am really getting mad.
Thanks a lot!!!
Doctor's Answer
by Edward W Hook, MD, Mar 24, 2008 04:17PM
, Mar 24, 2008 04:17PM
To: Insina
You have posted on the wrong site. Questions about HIV belong on the HIV prevention site. I will do my best to answer your HIV related questions with this reply but, if you have additional questions or follow-up they must be on the HIV Prevention site. Sorry
Regarding HIV, you have nothing to worry about. Symptoms are not a good indicator of early HIV infection. You have been traveling and your symptoms are much, much more likely to be due to a combination of jet lag, viral illnesses (like the flu) picked up during travel, and fatigue. I will not spend time dealing with your symptoms one by one - none of them indicate any likelihood of HIV infection in your situation. In addition, You've had a negative HIV test at 39 day, nearly six weeks after your exposure. At six weeks, over 95% of HIV tests that are going to be positive will be. Thus when considered with your very low risk of getting HIV to start with from a single exposure, you have nothing to worry about in terms of HIV.
The only symptom you have mentioned that I would have any concern about is to days of cystitis. This could be indicative of an STD like gonorrhea, chlamydia or nongonococcal urethritis. You should have a swab or urine test to look for these infections.
Hope this helps. Do not worry about HIV, you do not have it. Get checked for the STDs I mentioned. EWH
Regarding HIV, you have nothing to worry about. Symptoms are not a good indicator of early HIV infection. You have been traveling and your symptoms are much, much more likely to be due to a combination of jet lag, viral illnesses (like the flu) picked up during travel, and fatigue. I will not spend time dealing with your symptoms one by one - none of them indicate any likelihood of HIV infection in your situation. In addition, You've had a negative HIV test at 39 day, nearly six weeks after your exposure. At six weeks, over 95% of HIV tests that are going to be positive will be. Thus when considered with your very low risk of getting HIV to start with from a single exposure, you have nothing to worry about in terms of HIV.
The only symptom you have mentioned that I would have any concern about is to days of cystitis. This could be indicative of an STD like gonorrhea, chlamydia or nongonococcal urethritis. You should have a swab or urine test to look for these infections.
Hope this helps. Do not worry about HIV, you do not have it. Get checked for the STDs I mentioned. EWH
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During the last weeks I also feel a slight pain in my armpits. But once again I can't see or feel anything abnormal.
Thanks!
thank you very much for your help which is really much appreciated!!! Anyway I have to say that you and your colleagues are doing a great job here in this forum. I have never felt the internet such a really useful resp. helpful thing.
May I ask one last question:
I still suffer from the stiff neck and the pain has even spread to my shoulders. Couldn't this be a rheumatoid arthritis? And could this be due to a viral infection like HIV? Would it appear that early (knee pain after 8 weeks, stiff neck after 12 weeks) or when does HIV related rheumatoid arthritis normally occur?
Thanks again!!