scared straight

[paranoid40]

Hello Doctor,  I really could use your expertise.   I had unprotected sex exactly 5 weeks and 2 days ago.  i have gotten tested for hiv once a week for the past three weeks with negative results.  I contracted herpes from that encounter and I realize that some of the symptoms are similar.  I had the basic symptoms for herpes besides the fever.  everything went away after two weeks. (which were: outbreak on the genitals, tender lymp nodes by the genitals, fatigue and head ache) I also hurt the back of my head in a fight two days after the possible exposure date which led to a very very light head ache at the back of my head (No swelling) which wont go away after five weeks.  my doctor states that it is possibly a concussion and can take up to 3 months to go away (after I got a catscan no damage was found).  Im nervous about my situation because I read that one of the symptoms of acute hiv is head ache.  So all these combined symptoms have got me seconds guessing everything.  next week will be my 6th week and I plan on getting tested again.  I never had a rash but I did do alot of scratching under my armpits during my initial herpes outbreak before I knew what it was.  I read online that you can contaminate other areas of your body if you do this so i belive I caused my lymp nodes to become hot under my armpits but did not swell also the palms of my hands itched during that time.  (which is also a symptom when herpes is spread to other areas of the body)  I also felt one lymp node swell under my right jaw line to about the size of a pea for about 4hours one evening after drinking hot tea.  My questions are: 1)what is the likely hood that i am infected with hiv?  2) Can my inital herpes outbreak over shadow a Hiv infection where I wouldnt even notice the hiv symptoms or would having both would cause catastrophic symptoms which cant be over looked?  3)  Could an acute hiv headache last for 5+ weeks?

  Im sorry to bother you with these questions but I am so anxious for my six week mark (5days and counting) that I dont no what to think.   Please be frank with me please.  I deserve it for putting myself in this stupid situation.       Thank you in advance and God bless you.

[oldskool80]

get tested at 6wks for good indicator
& then 12/13 wks for conclusive HIV test...
trust Lizzie & Nick...

[LIZZIE LOU]

if you had unprotected vaginal/anal intercourse you put yourself at risk.  a risk is a risk and only testing will tell you if you contracted hiv.

not everyone who is infected with hiv will exhibit ars symptoms...and those same symptoms can be attributed to many other illnesses.

ars symptoms come at 2-4 weeks after infection and last for 1-2 weeks.

[paranoid40]

1)what is the likely hood that i am infected with hiv?  2) Can my inital herpes outbreak over shadow a Hiv infection where I wouldnt even notice the hiv symptoms or would having both would cause catastrophic symptoms which cant be over looked?  3)  Could an acute hiv headache last for 5+ weeks?

[nick7403]

im not a doctor just giving an opinion test at 6 or 8 weeks is good indication of your status i think you already know your status negative as you have been tested the symptoms could be the herpes combined with anxiety.