Aa
Worried about symptoms
HI Doctor,
I'm extremmly worried. Exactly 9 days ago, I had recepetive anal sex with a condom and oral sex without a condom. I remember to have checked one or two times during the sex if the condom was still here and it was the case. The thing is at the end ( he did not ejaculate but I wanted to stop), he remove himself . I did not look when he removed the condom, so I cannot say if it was not broken. I even ask him if he removed it at the end and he told me that of course he just removed it (and it was in his hand). I must say also that before having sex, I asked him if he was STD free which he confirms to me by saying that he doesn't play with his life and he was tested a few month ago. This morning when I wake up, I felt muscle and joint pain everywhere and especially in my legs and I was cold in my bed. I decided to take my temperature which was 99.5° (Anal). I know it's not a high fever but it's fever for me since im always around 98° immediatly when I wake up. I have absolutly no other symptoms (sore throat, runny nose ...) but only fever and that's why I'm so worried .... Perhaps my fever will increase soon but I don't know what I have. Do you think it could be ARS Symptoms?
Thanks a lot
I'm extremmly worried. Exactly 9 days ago, I had recepetive anal sex with a condom and oral sex without a condom. I remember to have checked one or two times during the sex if the condom was still here and it was the case. The thing is at the end ( he did not ejaculate but I wanted to stop), he remove himself . I did not look when he removed the condom, so I cannot say if it was not broken. I even ask him if he removed it at the end and he told me that of course he just removed it (and it was in his hand). I must say also that before having sex, I asked him if he was STD free which he confirms to me by saying that he doesn't play with his life and he was tested a few month ago. This morning when I wake up, I felt muscle and joint pain everywhere and especially in my legs and I was cold in my bed. I decided to take my temperature which was 99.5° (Anal). I know it's not a high fever but it's fever for me since im always around 98° immediatly when I wake up. I have absolutly no other symptoms (sore throat, runny nose ...) but only fever and that's why I'm so worried .... Perhaps my fever will increase soon but I don't know what I have. Do you think it could be ARS Symptoms?
Thanks a lot
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
See my comment of January 29. I have nothing to add.
Doctor,
I'm sorry to relaunch this post but I'm thinking more and more about my contamination. And the only way I think his that the person removed intentionnaly the condom at the end even if I checked several times during the act. His there any way to know if this person was aware of his status when we had sex together ? As you remember, I asked him before and I have prove of it since I have text message in my cell phone. I just want to understand and I think it's important for me for the process of accept the disease.
Thanks,
I'm sorry to relaunch this post but I'm thinking more and more about my contamination. And the only way I think his that the person removed intentionnaly the condom at the end even if I checked several times during the act. His there any way to know if this person was aware of his status when we had sex together ? As you remember, I asked him before and I have prove of it since I have text message in my cell phone. I just want to understand and I think it's important for me for the process of accept the disease.
Thanks,
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hey, folks: Listen up! Only 2 minutes after the above comment, someone new to this thread added another comment, which I deleted. If DLRP and/or others want to continue this discussion, please take it over to the community forum.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
DLRP1985: There is now little doubt you are infected and that the Western blot will confirm it. Please accept my heartfelt concern and best wishes, once again. But as far as being "completely confused" (about the source of infection), it is time to move on. Most likely you will never know the exact mechanism, and it no longer matters. Your laser-beam focus must now be on getting excellent medical evaluation and management. There should also be a secondary concern to inform the partner you likely caught it from, including cooperation with the health department to assure that happens.
Everyone, especially Delgado and aries2008: That one person has been infected by an uncertain and perhaps rare mechanism is irrelevant to your health and risks. This doesn't change this forum's advice, or your own risks, any more than it changes your risk of being struck by lightning just because it happened to someone else.
That's going to have to end this thread. Best wishes once again to DLRP1985. As difficult as this is for you, with proper care you can expect to live a long and productive life.
Everyone, especially Delgado and aries2008: That one person has been infected by an uncertain and perhaps rare mechanism is irrelevant to your health and risks. This doesn't change this forum's advice, or your own risks, any more than it changes your risk of being struck by lightning just because it happened to someone else.
That's going to have to end this thread. Best wishes once again to DLRP1985. As difficult as this is for you, with proper care you can expect to live a long and productive life.
This kinda freaks me out. It seems less risky than my exposure (brief unprotected insertive anal due to condom failure). Now I am just really worried about my situation. In both cases partners said they were tested and neg.
There must be something you didn't know, like the condom broke while he was inside, or during oral sex you had some kind of cut or something. Either that or another exposure you didnt mention?
There must be something you didn't know, like the condom broke while he was inside, or during oral sex you had some kind of cut or something. Either that or another exposure you didnt mention?
The two elisa Blood test came back positive ... I have nothing to add here. Just completly confused. I see an Hiv specialist tomorrow.
Thanks for your help.
Thanks for your help.
My elisa blood test was drawn yesterday. I will have the results in 2 hours. I have an appointment to my general pratictionner. I'm really freaking out right now but I guess that will give me a conclusive result. I will tell my results as soon as I have them.....
But Doc how can this be possible?He had protected Anal and unprotected Oral.He has not detailed the oral exposure though.But it seems that he had only oral exposure as the unprotected one.Does it mean that he might have got it from Oral Sex?I do pray to the God that the EIA test comes negative for him...otherwise I personally would have a lot question..
i am praying for you
best wishes
best wishes
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
As you apparently know, in general HIV diagnosis and care are sophisticated and expert in France. But before you spend the time and money to return home, you might consider waiting for confirmation; there is a good chance you don't have HIV.
Thanks doctor,
I'm going back to France (where I come from) tomorrow to be close to my familly. I told them everything and they are very kind and try to help me. I need to be in a good environnement to handle that. They will call my primary phisician so it can refer me to an HIV specialist. On the meantime, I will do a standart blood EIA test and I should have the results in 24 hours (The protocol in france for EIA test is to do two separate blood test on the same sample using two different brand : one 4th generation and one 3rd generation, rapid testing is not allowed yet in France). I will let you know of my results as soon as I get them.
THanks a lot for your help and advices, I really appreciate to be able to talk with someone in such a difficult period.
I'm going back to France (where I come from) tomorrow to be close to my familly. I told them everything and they are very kind and try to help me. I need to be in a good environnement to handle that. They will call my primary phisician so it can refer me to an HIV specialist. On the meantime, I will do a standart blood EIA test and I should have the results in 24 hours (The protocol in france for EIA test is to do two separate blood test on the same sample using two different brand : one 4th generation and one 3rd generation, rapid testing is not allowed yet in France). I will let you know of my results as soon as I get them.
THanks a lot for your help and advices, I really appreciate to be able to talk with someone in such a difficult period.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The faintness of the line supports the idea of a false positive result. I hope that's the case. But there's not much point in continuing a dialog here until you have a definitive test, whether a different kind of ELISA test or the Western blot. Come back when one of these is available.
Doctor, I went back to get tested today. Unfortunatly, only the oral oraquick was available. The result came back positive but this time I had a chance to see the line. The test line was really faint whereas at a distance the control line was really clear and red and we cannot see the T line. Of course the line was clearly here but the conselot told me that he rarely saw such faint line. He also told me that in 5 years he only had 1 false positive. I'm not trying to convice myself that it's a false positive. But according to everything you said before, that it was a really low risk situation and that test was not warranted, i'm completly confused. The consellor also told me it's really strange but thatmy symptoms were concordant with ARS. I think I will have to try to find where to do a regular EIA test. I'm just completly confused.
Hey, good luck, man. I'm praying for ya...
Thanks Doctor,
I just felt completly lost this morning. I just don't understand how I could have catch it . I guess this is not important now ... I was always safe all my life. I called my partner yesterday. He told me that everything was fine, that it was protected (excpet oral). I think he will be going to get tested soon but he seems confident. HE must doesn't know he is infected ... I read a lot of report on the internet about false positive result of oraquick done with oral fluid (which was the case here). Could the flu or other viruses thqt mqde me sick (if it was not ARS) could cause a false positive ? I know the chance are very slim. I would to get antoher test today, not sure where to go but I will follow your advice.
Thanks,
I just felt completly lost this morning. I just don't understand how I could have catch it . I guess this is not important now ... I was always safe all my life. I called my partner yesterday. He told me that everything was fine, that it was protected (excpet oral). I think he will be going to get tested soon but he seems confident. HE must doesn't know he is infected ... I read a lot of report on the internet about false positive result of oraquick done with oral fluid (which was the case here). Could the flu or other viruses thqt mqde me sick (if it was not ARS) could cause a false positive ? I know the chance are very slim. I would to get antoher test today, not sure where to go but I will follow your advice.
Thanks,
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I'm very sorry to hear this. As nursegirl already said, the rapid tests like Oraquick can be falsely positive. Putting together all the information, it sounds likely you are infected, but it isn't yet definite. It is possible to unofficially confirm positive rapid test result by just having another ELISA test, using a different test than Oraquick. This could settle the issue without waiting a week for the Western blot result. For example, if a standard lab-based test or another rapid test (e.g., Unigold brand, and others), it would make it almost certain you are infected. It's not quite as definite as a WB, but you would know with near certainty without having to wait a whole week.
Most likely your partner wasn't lying but had a very recent HIV infection itself, which is the time of maximum infectivity for partners. I won't try to surmise the exact mechanism by which you were infected (if you were), i.e. anal despite condom, oral, or some other secretion exposure.
Assuming you are infected, it is critical that you immediately get care from a provider who who is an expert in HIV/AIDS, such as an infectious diseases specialist or other highly experienced professional or clinic. If your current provider or clinic doesn't meet that standard, please ask for a referral.
If not yet done, if and when your infection is confirmed immediately inform your partner from last month what is going on so he can be tested and protect his own health and that of other partners. (Or you could call him now, without awaiting your confirmatory test result.) If you don't know exactly who he is or how to find him, please call your local health department, if they don't call you first, and cooperate with them in locating and informing him. Second, most likely you have not been sexually active with anyone else since your December exposure. If you have, however, immediately inform that (or those) partner(s).
As you know, and as emphasized by nursegirl, having HIV isn't as dire as it once was, with modern drug therapy under the care of an expert. Above all, don't panic. If your positive result is confirmed, your life will change in dramatic ways, but with proper management it can still be a long, productive, enjoyable, and even thrilling life.
If your infection is confirmed, you're going to have a hundred more questions. Although I can be available to answer one or two brief ones, this forum doesn't get into advice for HIV infected persons. The HIV/AIDS expert you connect with is going to be the primary source for medical advice, and s/he or that clinic will be able to put you in touch with social and support services you might need. Your local health department may also be able to facilitate referrals to both expert providers and support services.
Good luck. I wish you well.
Most likely your partner wasn't lying but had a very recent HIV infection itself, which is the time of maximum infectivity for partners. I won't try to surmise the exact mechanism by which you were infected (if you were), i.e. anal despite condom, oral, or some other secretion exposure.
Assuming you are infected, it is critical that you immediately get care from a provider who who is an expert in HIV/AIDS, such as an infectious diseases specialist or other highly experienced professional or clinic. If your current provider or clinic doesn't meet that standard, please ask for a referral.
If not yet done, if and when your infection is confirmed immediately inform your partner from last month what is going on so he can be tested and protect his own health and that of other partners. (Or you could call him now, without awaiting your confirmatory test result.) If you don't know exactly who he is or how to find him, please call your local health department, if they don't call you first, and cooperate with them in locating and informing him. Second, most likely you have not been sexually active with anyone else since your December exposure. If you have, however, immediately inform that (or those) partner(s).
As you know, and as emphasized by nursegirl, having HIV isn't as dire as it once was, with modern drug therapy under the care of an expert. Above all, don't panic. If your positive result is confirmed, your life will change in dramatic ways, but with proper management it can still be a long, productive, enjoyable, and even thrilling life.
If your infection is confirmed, you're going to have a hundred more questions. Although I can be available to answer one or two brief ones, this forum doesn't get into advice for HIV infected persons. The HIV/AIDS expert you connect with is going to be the primary source for medical advice, and s/he or that clinic will be able to put you in touch with social and support services you might need. Your local health department may also be able to facilitate referrals to both expert providers and support services.
Good luck. I wish you well.
Sorry to interrupt your thread, and I'm sure the doctor will respond to your latest update.
Just a word of advice.....it isn't impossible to have a false pos result with the ora-quick. As a matter of fact, I believe that the figure is somewhere around 10% of pos results are indeed false positives? (The good doc can elaborate on that figure, it's just off the top of my head). Now, I am not trying to give you false hopes...just to mention this to you so that you realize that this may not be the final end-result.
I'm assuming that the same they took was for a western blot? That will either verify the pos result or negate it. Also, it truly sounds like your exposure was pretty safe, which is why if I were you...I wouldn't get too upset just yet.
Lastly, if it ends up being positive and it is verified as such...it is certainly not the end of life as you know it. Just hang in there a bit until you get confirmation either way. Dr. Handsfield will be able to give you valuable input on this as well.
Take Care.
(Pardon me, Dr. H)
Just a word of advice.....it isn't impossible to have a false pos result with the ora-quick. As a matter of fact, I believe that the figure is somewhere around 10% of pos results are indeed false positives? (The good doc can elaborate on that figure, it's just off the top of my head). Now, I am not trying to give you false hopes...just to mention this to you so that you realize that this may not be the final end-result.
I'm assuming that the same they took was for a western blot? That will either verify the pos result or negate it. Also, it truly sounds like your exposure was pretty safe, which is why if I were you...I wouldn't get too upset just yet.
Lastly, if it ends up being positive and it is verified as such...it is certainly not the end of life as you know it. Just hang in there a bit until you get confirmation either way. Dr. Handsfield will be able to give you valuable input on this as well.
Take Care.
(Pardon me, Dr. H)
Doctor,
I Just tested positive with oraquick test. I'm just completly confused and under everything..... I had fever 9 days after my exposure for 1 week ... The fever went out then 1 week after I had a rash on my feet and arms. The rash was itching a lot and I had to go to emergency since it was itching too much ... Then gave me drugs and all went out ... I had an oraquick test 25 days after exposure which was negative ... I was fairly confidinent until toniight... I get an oraquick test ( 39 days after exposure) which came back positive. They took a sample to make a confirmatary test and I will have the results in one week. But i'm now sure that all my symptoms was due to HIV.... I just don't understand. Everything was protected as far as I know even if I have doubt for the end. It seems that the condom was not here anymore at the end since I tested positive tonigght. I'm just under everything ... I don't understand ....
I Just tested positive with oraquick test. I'm just completly confused and under everything..... I had fever 9 days after my exposure for 1 week ... The fever went out then 1 week after I had a rash on my feet and arms. The rash was itching a lot and I had to go to emergency since it was itching too much ... Then gave me drugs and all went out ... I had an oraquick test 25 days after exposure which was negative ... I was fairly confidinent until toniight... I get an oraquick test ( 39 days after exposure) which came back positive. They took a sample to make a confirmatary test and I will have the results in one week. But i'm now sure that all my symptoms was due to HIV.... I just don't understand. Everything was protected as far as I know even if I have doubt for the end. It seems that the condom was not here anymore at the end since I tested positive tonigght. I'm just under everything ... I don't understand ....
Hi Doctor,
I'm feeling really bad. My fever is now continously at 101 ° F. Without any other symptoms that all symptoms associated with fever (night sweet, muscle and joint pain, headaches). I saw me healthcare provider who told me it was a flu-like virus and I just need to wait.... I just found the coincidence of my fever and my last sexual experience very strange. Can you have virus who gave you only fever of this grade ? Does the fever in ARS is usually higher than that ?
Thanks,
I'm feeling really bad. My fever is now continously at 101 ° F. Without any other symptoms that all symptoms associated with fever (night sweet, muscle and joint pain, headaches). I saw me healthcare provider who told me it was a flu-like virus and I just need to wait.... I just found the coincidence of my fever and my last sexual experience very strange. Can you have virus who gave you only fever of this grade ? Does the fever in ARS is usually higher than that ?
Thanks,
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Sounds like you are behaving as safely as can be expected, apart from restricting sex to a mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner. Keep up those practices and you can expect to remain HIV negative forever. Good work. In the meantime, something other than HIV almost certainly is the cause of your low grade fever (99.5 may be normal, but 100.4 is not). But you should see a health care provider if it persists.
Stay safe.
Stay safe.
Thanks for your answer doctor, it helped me a lot to control my anxiety. But just to say, I asked my partner his status BEFORE we had sex since this is your advice on this forum and I try to follow them as best as I can. And also I get tested every 6 month for all STD. Last time was 3 weeks ago and everything was negative.
Thanks a lot for your answer
Thanks a lot for your answer
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You describe a reasonably safe sexual exposure. It would have been ideal to ask your partner about his HIV/STD status before you had sex, rather than afterward. But it sounds like he was being honest and is unlikely to have had HIV; and you describe an entirely safe anal sex exposure, with a condom tha remained intact. (Why would your partner tell you the truth about his HIV status and then lie about how he took the condom off or whether it had broken? That really doesn't make much sense.) And since he probably doesn't have HIV, it probably would not have mattered if the condom HAD broken. On top of all that, your symptoms do not suggest HIV, despite what you think you learned in reading about it -- and as you seem to know, a temperature of 99.5 is normal from time to time in almost every one. 98.6 is the average human body temperature, not the top normal temperature.
It doesn't make much sense to get tested for HIV or other STDs after individual exposures as low risk as this one. But since you are a sexually active man who has sex with other men, you should have routine STD/HIV testing from time to time, like once a year -- or more often if there are many exposures riskier than this one. Since it is on your mind, this probably would be a good time. If you decide to do it, wait 4-6 weeks then have a standard HIV antibody test. Or visit your local STD clinic at any time, for their direct advice about testing.
In the meantime, I don't see any serious cause for worry.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
It doesn't make much sense to get tested for HIV or other STDs after individual exposures as low risk as this one. But since you are a sexually active man who has sex with other men, you should have routine STD/HIV testing from time to time, like once a year -- or more often if there are many exposures riskier than this one. Since it is on your mind, this probably would be a good time. If you decide to do it, wait 4-6 weeks then have a standard HIV antibody test. Or visit your local STD clinic at any time, for their direct advice about testing.
In the meantime, I don't see any serious cause for worry.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
must add that my fever is now 100.4 ....
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