Your opinion

[tellmee]

17 years ago I had unprotected vaginal sex with a girl who may have been exposed to hiv. I had a terrible sore throat with swollen glands and night sweats shortly after that. Doc said it was probably strep but it only got better with prednisone. 5 years later I was engaged to a different girl and she got a body rash and joint pains. She went to an ID doctor who told her she should be tested for hiv after her Lyme tests came back neg. We had both just done Home Access so we thought we were fine. To make a long story short we were married and now have two children 7 and 10. In the ensuing years I have had other tests; 2 more Home Access, 3 different life insurance policies, and Elisa at Drs office.
   I went to ID doc myself in 2001 because of some weird symptoms( wife had cervical dysplasia-HPV, and we both got molluscum at different times in our groin area, and my tongue has white lines down both sides) He said I was fine and that the lines on tongue were nothing to worry about. He did a hiv-1 test(negative) and said to forget about hiv. I felt stupid but I was very happy. I decided that since I was negative that I should do something good and donate blood. ID doc said it was fine. I have donated 11 times till this past Feb. ( I felt great! )            
   Now in July I got diarreah on and off for two months, went to see gastro guy who did tests ( all ok ) including Labcorp hiv 1/o/2 test (nonreactive) which I asked for. Now my hands keep going numb at night.( past 3 months) I have also developed some sort of jock itch for the past month.
   Any Doc I have asked thinks I am nuts. I have had 20 tests in the last 17 years including life ins, and blood donations with NAT not to mention that both kids were tested when they were born along with my wife ( pregnancies and life ins )
   Am I reading too much into this. Could I have an undetectable strain or type after all those tests or would one of them have shown something. WBC's always 4.3-5.1 range

[tellmee]

THANK YOU DOCTOR. I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

THIS IS NOT HIV.  YOU HAVE BEEN TESTED AGAIN AND AGAIN.  FOR YOU TO CONTINUE TO BE WORRYING ABOUT HIV IS ONLY DELAYING YOUR CARE FOR OTHER, POTENTIALY MORE IMPORTANT ISSUES, INCLUDING YOUR OWN MENTAL HEALTH.!!!

Please seek help on this.  I say this for your own benefit, nothing more.

As my efforts to help only appear to fuel your anxiety, I will not provide further answers.  This thread is over.  EWH

[tellmee]

I was told that a yeast infection in a mans groin and scrotum is not normal. That along with my numb arms every night, on and off diarreah, and white jagged lines down both sides of my tongue have me worried despite my negative tests for 17 years. Are you telling me that those symptoms are not of any concern for hiv. If you are telling me there is no way I could have it then I will call the therapist this afternoon and set up my appointment. I will bring this print out as you stated.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

It really perplexes me that your would ask a question like this.  The idea that after 17 years jock itch could be a manifestation of HIV infection is simply incomprehensible to me other than to be a strong indication that you need to speak with a mental health professional about these unwarranted concerns.  Please do so, for your sake.  I suggest you take a print out of this interaction with you to help illustrate why I state that I think you need to seek help.  EWH

[tellmee]

Sorry DR but I have just found out that the jock itch was a yeast infection in my thigh folds. Does this along with my other symptoms & wifes warrant further testing.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

If after all this time an after that many tests you are still concerned, it might be a good idea to discuss this with a mental health professional.  You really shoul not be worrying about this any longer.  EWH

[tellmee]

Dr I am not doing a what if, I am just wondering if you agree with my last comment that I should probably see a psychologist..... Thank you so much

[tellmee]

Doctor thank you so much for your answer. I got a big laugh about the tidal wave. I guess if the thought were to persist I should see a psychologist. Your advice helps many people.
Thank you and I will move on.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You are reading too much into this and need to move on.  Between your multiple tests and blood donations over the past 20 years, the possibility that you have HIV which is undetected is absolutely incorrect.  You have been tested by multiple modalities and found to be negative. Your time would be far better spent worrying about how to avoid being hit by lightening or a tidal wave than to worry about HIV.  

Please stop worrying about HIV. You have not acquired it through the contacts and experiences you describe.  EWH