HIV Symptoms

[panicked_worried]

Dear Sir,

I am a 28 year old straight male that went to the Dominican Republic in November of 2008. During my time there I didnt have sex (oral or vaginal). I kissed one girl and our tongues barely touched. Later on I found out she was a professional and her pimp started telling me to have sex with her which I refused adamantly. He kept harassing me until one of my friends stepped in. I am not sure if he pricked me with a needle or not because I was pretty drunk but I have heard of people doing that.

Two days following that incident I woke up with a slight fever and a headache and a feeling as if I was coming down with the flu. That went away within a day or two. In December '08 I started getting pimples on my scalp and face.
In Febuary I got a bought of laryngitis which went away within a week. During this time I have been having a lot of acidity in my stomach which I think is contributing to a sore throat that I have. There is a small amount of phelagm present in my throat at all times (which is clear). I cough occasionally and this has been going on for the last 3 months. I had rashes which come and go (if I step into a hot shower they typically go away). Now the pimples are on my face as well. My lymph nodes are swollen on my throat (i have always had a problem with my tonsils so not sure if they are related)

My doctor says these are all symptoms of a spring allergy. He has done blood work for a lot of things and found that I have a deficiency of vitamin B12 and D. Could all these be symptoms of HIV? I have red on many forums that the chance of getting HIV through unprotected sexual contact is low. I havent had any unprotected sex ever and dont sleep with professionals. Is it my anxiety amplyfying my syptoms. I am all consumed 24 hours a day with HIV for the last 2 months. I cant sleep, think, relax! I am extremely scared. Any comments would be appreciated.

Thanks,

[panicked_worried]

Thanks for the help doc. I need to get over my anxiety more than anything else.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

STOP!!!!!!   You do not know that you were stuck with a needle.  Furthermore, is you had, you would not have developed symptoms (fever) within 24 hours of the event.  Just get tested and put this behind you.  Let's not deteriorate into "what if...." and "could this be...." questions.   It does you no good.  EWH

[panicked_worried]

And one follow up question, what are the chances of getting hiv through a  needle/pin *****?

[panicked_worried]

Thanks very much for your advice doctor. I have visited three physicians and contacted 2 AIDS hotlines only to hear a similar response. They actually have suggested I go to an anxiety clinic to cope with my stress as they think I am being too critical of every small symptom.  

Just one last point, the fever/weakness that I got a day I think I was pricked, would it go away within a day or two or would it last longer if it were from exposure to HIV? Also, during the last three months I have come down with laryngitis but have not been running any fever. Is fever a requisite in the seroconversion reaction?

THanks very much for your help.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

There is nothing in what you report that suggests to me that you are at any risk at all for HIV from your experience in the DR.  The symptoms you describe are totally non-specific, have alternate explanations, and could well be due to any number of causes which are then amplified over your anxiety.  There is an easy answer to this- get tested.  The test results will be absolutely reliable at this time.  there is no downside to getting tested.  Furthermore, I am confident that your test will be negative, allowing you to go on and out this whole unfortunate set of events behind you.

Hope this helps.  EWH