Risk?

[worriedboy205]

Dear Doctors,

I haven't had a sexual encounter for the last two years until Sunday 9th February. (I'm terrified of HIV and each time I have sex I end up with some sort of symptoms).

In Dubai I met a guy with the intention of going soft. However things turned out differently.

I performed on him unprotected oral sex (I had brushed my teeth before this but there was no blood as far as I know) and was the receptive partner of protected anal sex where the condom stayed intact and he did not ejaculate during the intercourse. (He masturbated afterwards). He did finger me and did perfom anilingus.

Once done, I  checked the condom, it was empty (no ejaculation) and filled it with water to double check, it was definitely intact.

The guy said he was negative (he lives in Dubai).

I have been having a persistent runny nose and cough for weeks now, but the cough became more intense this week.

On Friday 21st (day 13 from the exposure) I went to the doctor to get medication for my cough and he said that I had no fever. However I don't know whether it was just a coincidence but the same evening I developed a fever at 37.5 (measuring under the arm) and the next day  (day 14) it fluctuated.

(Day15) my temperature ranged from 36.8 to 38.2 depending on the time since taking over the counter medicine.

(Day 16) I went back to my doctor who checked my cough and gave me antibiotics. The fever totally disappeared

I have had no fever since day 15 but since then continuous light-headedness, fatigue, fuzziness in the muscles of my back and until yesterday lost my ability to taste and still can hardly smell anything. I have no other symptoms (other than a dry throat which has been an issue since I've begun coughing).

I'm freaking out because the fever although mild came exactly 12 days after the exposure and dissipated on day 15..

Based on my description how serious was the risk I took. Do these symptoms look like ARS to you?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Each of these results is nonspecific with many possible casues.  They do not change my opinion or advice.  EWH

[worriedboy205]

Dear Dr. Hook,

Thank you for your kind reply. Would it be possible to bring to your kind attention the following;

1. At some points in day 15 my temperature did reach 38.2C (but did dissipate later on).

2. I took an allergy blood test on day 13 and the doctor called me yesterday saying that my IgE came back higher than normal. I tested positive for two allergens, house dust and cedar pollen. (He thinks that my reaction to both Is still weak and therefore there must be some other allergy)

3. Between Thursday 20th Feb and Friday 28th Feb I lost over 3 kilos. Admittedly I haven't been eating much due to losing my sense of taste and general lack of appetite.

(I only realized the issue of my weight after writing to you yesterday while I forgot to add the blood allergen tests)

Do you still think I shouldn't be concerned for HIV?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum. From the sound of things you are over reacting a bit. our anal exposure was condom protected and therefore did not put you at risk for HIV and the risk for HIV from your oral exposure, if your partner was infected and it is unlikely that he was, is tiny- less than a 1 in 10,000 chance of being infected. Further the isolated temperatures you mention, in the absence of other symptoms raise no concern for HIV either.  Most doctors would not consider a temperature of 37.5 to be worrisome at all.

My sense is that your risk for HIV is virtually non-existent related to the exposure that you describe.  I would not worry.  EWH