Aa
For Dr Hook or HHH
Hello Doctor,
Thanks for simplifying and clarifying information as it pertains to HIV and sexual health, after reading your answers I've found that much of the preceding information I've gathered from others has been baseless and ignorant. I have a question, on October 24th, 2009 I had a one night stand (unprotected sex) with a woman of unknown HIV status. When I confronted the young woman 2 weeks later about her HIV status she got highly offended I assume and hung up on me, then she changed her number which made me suspicious.
I got tested at Kaiser Permanente on December 24th, 2009 (8 weeks later) and the results came back negative. 5 months later I've still been highly anxious and stressed about this as my imagination tends to run wild. And recently, I've sporadically had pin prick blood spots (petechiae)/broken blood vessels under my skin, chest congestion and easy bruising. Granted, my diet has been very poor due to all the anxiety and I have a job that's very stressful.
Could this be HIV related?? I have not had any onset of symptoms that might or might not be related. Also, does Kaiser deal with testing facilities that use the Elisa test?? Sorry if this question seems redundant, I'm sure it does.
Worried!!!
Thanks for simplifying and clarifying information as it pertains to HIV and sexual health, after reading your answers I've found that much of the preceding information I've gathered from others has been baseless and ignorant. I have a question, on October 24th, 2009 I had a one night stand (unprotected sex) with a woman of unknown HIV status. When I confronted the young woman 2 weeks later about her HIV status she got highly offended I assume and hung up on me, then she changed her number which made me suspicious.
I got tested at Kaiser Permanente on December 24th, 2009 (8 weeks later) and the results came back negative. 5 months later I've still been highly anxious and stressed about this as my imagination tends to run wild. And recently, I've sporadically had pin prick blood spots (petechiae)/broken blood vessels under my skin, chest congestion and easy bruising. Granted, my diet has been very poor due to all the anxiety and I have a job that's very stressful.
Could this be HIV related?? I have not had any onset of symptoms that might or might not be related. Also, does Kaiser deal with testing facilities that use the Elisa test?? Sorry if this question seems redundant, I'm sure it does.
Worried!!!
Thanks!! Someone had told me easy bruising and broken blood vessels/pin prick blood spots signaled HIV. Obviously this was bull!!! I will go get a physical next week. The broken blood vessels occur only when I'm lifting weights or picking up heavy things, I'm 32 and never had this problem in my twenties, hence the concern. Thanks Dr!!!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the HIV forum.
Assuming you are in the US, it is very unlikely your partner had HIV (under 1 chance in 1,000). And most people don't lie about HIV status when asked directly. I can't comment on her anger at being asked about it, but such a reaction usually is at least partly related to the way the question was asked -- especially if the same call (or multiple calls?) lead someone to change her phone number. This doesn't raise my suspicion she has HIV.
In any case, her actual HIV status is irrelevant at this point, since a negative HIV test 2 months after the last exposure is very strong evidence against a new HIV infection. Even if your partner were known to have HIV, the test shows you weren't infected.
Your symptoms of possible petchieae, easy bruising and chest congestion do not suggest HIV. Even if they were, your negative blood test means HIV isn't a possible cause. However, the bruising and possible petechiae are potentially serious, regardless of your diet, and definitely need professional evaluation.
Having said all that, if you want even greater certainty you don't have HIV, have another test now. A negative result more than 3 months after the last possible exposure is 100% certainty against HIV.
All health care systems in the US and almost all countries use pretty much the same HIV tests. Being tested at Kaiser or anywhere else has no bearing on my opinion or advice.
I hope this helps. Good luck--- HHH, MD
Assuming you are in the US, it is very unlikely your partner had HIV (under 1 chance in 1,000). And most people don't lie about HIV status when asked directly. I can't comment on her anger at being asked about it, but such a reaction usually is at least partly related to the way the question was asked -- especially if the same call (or multiple calls?) lead someone to change her phone number. This doesn't raise my suspicion she has HIV.
In any case, her actual HIV status is irrelevant at this point, since a negative HIV test 2 months after the last exposure is very strong evidence against a new HIV infection. Even if your partner were known to have HIV, the test shows you weren't infected.
Your symptoms of possible petchieae, easy bruising and chest congestion do not suggest HIV. Even if they were, your negative blood test means HIV isn't a possible cause. However, the bruising and possible petechiae are potentially serious, regardless of your diet, and definitely need professional evaluation.
Having said all that, if you want even greater certainty you don't have HIV, have another test now. A negative result more than 3 months after the last possible exposure is 100% certainty against HIV.
All health care systems in the US and almost all countries use pretty much the same HIV tests. Being tested at Kaiser or anywhere else has no bearing on my opinion or advice.
I hope this helps. Good luck--- HHH, MD
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