Scared please help

[ScottScotts]

5-02 unprotected oral and protected vaginal sex with a female of unknown status... Earlier that morning have shaved my genital region

5-11 while showering noticed 2 small flesh colored bumps in genital area I had previously shaved.  They are both still there with no size change

5-28 got a splotchy red rash from my tailbone to my shoulders up my spine sort of in a wing type pattern and wrapped around my side at waist line.  The rash faded daily and was finally gone about a week later. 

6-07 started having a sore throat and sinus drainage that caused a persistent cough.  Became very fatigued and felt just generally rundown.

6-11 went to doctor he checked for strep and mono both which were negative

6-17 felt like I had a pulled muscle in front of my neck. 

6-18 at the end of both my jawbones under my ears I started having shooting pains and a dull ache. Eventually there was some swelling I could feel with my hands although I never felt a node that I could positively identify as being an enlarged node but my neck was visibly swollen under my ears. There was no tenderness when feeling these areas. The dull ache and slight swelling are still there on both sides.

6-20 developed 2 quarter size bumps along the waistline almost in same spot on both sides of my hips they looked like large blackhead pimples but with out any fluid inside them they were raised and blackish

7-01 started having the same tingling dull ache in my groin area below my waistline on inside of both my hips almost. There was some noticeable inflammation but couldn't feel any definite nodes.

Some history about 7 years ago through a routine checkup I found out I had HSV-2.  I had never had an outbreak or any symptoms I have posted my story on other forums and have always been told no need to worry you had protected sex and the vaginal secretions that could have touched my shaven unprotected skin was no risk outside the host.  On the CDC website it says this is a risk. What is my risk of HIV?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The encounter you describe is virtually no risk for acquiring any STD, including HIV.  Your partner may have been of unknown status but as an ex-girlfriend, was not unknown to you and I presume there is nothing particularly worrisome about her such as being an IV drug user.  Even if there was something risky about her that you know, the chance that she was infected is low, the chance of infection if your sex was unprotected is low likewise low (less than 1 infection per 1000 sex acts) and in your case, since a condom was used your risk is essentially zero.  Statements by the CDC that there may be some risk from condom protected intercourse are overly conservative and reflect their need to never be wrong as a governmental agency who has to provide non-individualized information via the internet.   Further, the symptoms you describe over the past two month may not be related to one another in any way and none of them are suggestive in any way of HIV or other STDs.  

If you cannot shake your fear of HIV, you can get tested- it has now been 9 weeks since your exposure and, therefore an HIV antibody test will be completely reliable and accurate.  I am confident that you did not get HIV form the exposure you mention.

As for the list of symptoms you mention, I cannot pull them together into any single specific medical problem.  I suspect they may be unrelated and are at least in some instances may be things that you have noticed because of your concern and heightened awareness.  If they are troublesome or problematic for you, you should have them evaluated by a medical professional who can do a complete history and physical examination..  

I hope my comment is helpful.  As I said, there is no reason to be worried about HIV.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I'm pleased i could help. EWH

[ScottScotts]

Thank you Doctor.