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Concerned About Fever
Hello Doc,
I'm a gay guy committed to safe sex. I'm writing you because of the timing in which I came down with a fever yesterday (peaked at 101), which was 20 days after protected sex with a guy I see every now and then. I follow the policy of what you call "Do Ask, Do Tell", backed up with the protection of properly used latex condoms for anal intercourse. My partner is also adamant about safe sex and often talks about "preserving his negative status". When we had sex, I was the receptive partner; we used latex condoms, water-based lube; he didn't ejaculate during intercourse. The condom neither slid off nor broke; I later checked it in the bathroom by filling it up with water; no leaks.
Three days after we had sex I came down with a cold at about the same time I had to fly to Boston (from Los Angeles). I was over the cold within about a week, except for residual coughing; however, yesterday, as I state in the paragraph above, I came down with a fever that climbed to 101 (it has backed down now to 99.5) I also have coughing that causes pain in the center of my chest and an increased heart rate. My doctor believes that it is acute bronchitis (she can't see me until Monday and advised me to go to Urgent Care if my fever climbs above 101).
I'm very concerned about the timing of these symptoms, especially the fever. I believe I did everything right with regards to safe sex, but can't fathom what went wrong if this fever is caused by HIV. I've heard of people who have been infected with HIV despite using condoms; that's what worries me. What do you think? Thanks.
I'm a gay guy committed to safe sex. I'm writing you because of the timing in which I came down with a fever yesterday (peaked at 101), which was 20 days after protected sex with a guy I see every now and then. I follow the policy of what you call "Do Ask, Do Tell", backed up with the protection of properly used latex condoms for anal intercourse. My partner is also adamant about safe sex and often talks about "preserving his negative status". When we had sex, I was the receptive partner; we used latex condoms, water-based lube; he didn't ejaculate during intercourse. The condom neither slid off nor broke; I later checked it in the bathroom by filling it up with water; no leaks.
Three days after we had sex I came down with a cold at about the same time I had to fly to Boston (from Los Angeles). I was over the cold within about a week, except for residual coughing; however, yesterday, as I state in the paragraph above, I came down with a fever that climbed to 101 (it has backed down now to 99.5) I also have coughing that causes pain in the center of my chest and an increased heart rate. My doctor believes that it is acute bronchitis (she can't see me until Monday and advised me to go to Urgent Care if my fever climbs above 101).
I'm very concerned about the timing of these symptoms, especially the fever. I believe I did everything right with regards to safe sex, but can't fathom what went wrong if this fever is caused by HIV. I've heard of people who have been infected with HIV despite using condoms; that's what worries me. What do you think? Thanks.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the Forum. Congratulations on your strong commitment to safe sex- it will keep you healthy. Your did precisely everything correct for the sexual encounter that you describe, asking about your partner's status and then still using a condom and lubrication for sex. This combination of events places you at virtually no risk whatsoever for HIV or for other STDs.
So, what about the fever? Context is critical to consider here. An isolated fever, possibly with a cough and chest discomfort has many potential causes, HIV being amongst the least likely. While the timing of your fever is consistent with recently acquire HIV, that is the only thing that is- no other suggestive symptoms (muscle and joint aches, diarrhea, rash, etc) and the symptoms that you do have are not those of early HIV. Even if you did have symptoms such as I have described, when studied less than 1% of such symptoms are due to recently acquired HIV and, as I said earlier, in the context of the exposure you describe, concern for HIV can be set aside. Your fever is due to something other than HIV and the timing is coincidence, nothing more.
I urge you not to worry. There is no need for concern, nor any medical need for testing. I hope my comments, like those on the HIV prevention community site that you have already had, are reassuring. EWH
So, what about the fever? Context is critical to consider here. An isolated fever, possibly with a cough and chest discomfort has many potential causes, HIV being amongst the least likely. While the timing of your fever is consistent with recently acquire HIV, that is the only thing that is- no other suggestive symptoms (muscle and joint aches, diarrhea, rash, etc) and the symptoms that you do have are not those of early HIV. Even if you did have symptoms such as I have described, when studied less than 1% of such symptoms are due to recently acquired HIV and, as I said earlier, in the context of the exposure you describe, concern for HIV can be set aside. Your fever is due to something other than HIV and the timing is coincidence, nothing more.
I urge you not to worry. There is no need for concern, nor any medical need for testing. I hope my comments, like those on the HIV prevention community site that you have already had, are reassuring. EWH
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
No change in my opinion or avice. Take care. EWH
Sorry to bother you with another question; I just got to clear my head. My partner had inserted his finger into my anus before we had intercourse. Does your answer remain the same in the event he had genital secretions on his finger? Thanks.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Glad I could help. EWH
Thanks, Dr Hook; I truly appreciate it. Take care.
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