HIV Exposure and the Puzzle

[m_g]

Hello!

At the ouset, many thanks for answering questions from worries souls through Allexperts website.

I had a recent exposure (2nd Feb) to HIV (sex for money) wherein the condom broke (though discovered within a minute) and exposed the entire head.

I consulted a doc on 4th and he suggested that i start a PEP course. He prescribed Duovir (zidovudine + lamivudine)for 28 days.

I have been taking it twice everyday religiously.

However right from the time i started this medicine i have been

-feeling very tired/weak
-tingling in limbs
-small redness on skin that disappears in 30-60 mins
-fever or temperature of within 99 F

Apart from this I had a small rash on my neck that lasted 2-3 days within the first 10 days of the exposure.

Apart from this on 20th (appx 2.5 weeks from exposure) i developed the following condition:
- Low fever of 99 to 99.5 F which once went upto 100 F
- irriratin in lower throat (voice box)...felt a need top clear it quire frequently
- some pain in my chest either side with cought in my chest and a wheezing sound

I consulted the same doctor and to my horror he diagnosed Flu+viral infection. It has since been giving me sleepless nights.

I started a cource of Paracetamol 500 mg and Levocitrizine dicholoride and the fever never reoccured post the first day. however it took 2-3 days for the heavyness of the chest to go and the throat (voice box) took 5-6 days. There was no pain in the throat though.

So what is my challenge?

My challenge is that i am feeling very tired+week. Work up a fever of 99 F every evening for 2-3 hours. I tried keeping hourly temperature and have found that at 50% of times it is 98.4% or lesser; anothet 40% times upto 98.7 F and 10% times upto 99.1 F.

I got a P24 anigen test done and the report came in today. It is negative.

But given the symptoms and the fever/tiredness i am worried.

Q) My doc says all is ok ... get an Elisa done at 3/6 months. he puts my chances 1 in a million. he attributes my symptoms (fever/rash/tiredness) to PEP.

Q) Is there any test i can take to confidence of a initial p24 antigen negative result.

Q)Also, what is the pattern of fever in case of hiv infection

Q) Did my symptoms match that of an HIV infection

I undertsnd that question is long..however your reply will help me reduce my anxiety.

Thanks and sincere regards,

[m_g]

Thank you for your reply. Just a few curious questions: 1) what do you make of my symptoms? 2) is there any value in my testing negative for p24 antigen 3) do pep medicines cause side-effects like consistent or intermittent fever. Thanks again.

[Teak]

You need to test 3 month after your last dose of PEP. That test will be conclusive.