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Avatar universal

Need Advice

Doc,

I made a few stupid choices over the last 3 months.  I have 5 visits with very high risk individuals (however, i don't know if they were HIV+).  Thankfully, I used protection in each visit.  With that said, two days after the last visit I developed swollen lymph nodes in the groin region.  Additionally, I had a fever and a sore throat.  At this point my anxiety was out of control.  My roommates had strep throat; So, I thought I either contracted HIV or had strep.  I went to the doctor and they put me on a cycle of antibiotics as well as anti-depressants.  I told them about my situation and was promptly tested for STDs.  These tests occurred two weeks after the last visit.  This test included a antibody test.  I also had a DNA PCR at 10 days and 20 days both negative, followed by a rapid test antibody test at 38 days.  Even though these tests were negative, I still feel anxious and fear HIV.  My lymph nodes in my groin region are still swollen.  Can you please help me out?  Do i need to get another antibody test in the near future? What are my chances that during these events that I contracted HIV?
3 Responses
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300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I would not be concerned.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My only additional concern is that I had 5 encounter over the previous 3 months; so the symptoms could have fallen in the 2-4 weeks time frame.  Should I be concerned or is this all anxiety at this point?
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to our Forum.  I will give you some details below but the bottom line is that there is no reason for you to worry and you do not need further testing.  here are some details supporting my assessment:

1.  Most "very high risk" individuals turn out not to be.  The only persons I would characterize as being very high risk are persons with known HIV.  for the remainder, HIV infection is quite uncommon.
2.  You state you were protected.  Condom protected sex is safe sex and there is no risk for HIV following condom protected sex in which the condom does not break.
3.  Symptoms tend to be meaningless and yours began too soon to be HIV-related.  The symptoms of early HIV occur at 2-4 weeks after exposure and rarely last longer than a week or ten days.
4.  You have been tested and the combination of tests you have virtually rule out HIV.

Thus, the combination of the low risk nature of your protected exposure and your test results serve to indicate that you do not have HIV.  You need not worry further and do not need further testing.  EWH
Helpful - 0

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