A little help,please?

[scaredofneedles89]

My risk was back in September.It was unprotected oral from a female after she had given oral to another guy.She was complaining about sinus problems,but I thought nothing of it.Then about 4 weeks later I started having bad nausea and a loss of appetite.I got worried and got tested 1 month after using Orasure oral swab,it was Negative.

Then I had to go to the hospital for test because of my stomach problems.I was worried that the needle they used to take my blood may have been used because I didn't see her open it.Exactly 1 week later I started itching all over twice in one day.

Over the next 2 months I had literally ALL of the symptoms,even swollen eyelids that still presist.I also had H.pylori infection in my stomach

I got tested Dec.1 (12 weeks and 2 days after the unprotected oral sex),the results were negative.I was really excited and moved on for 3 weeks.Then last Monday my stomach started giving me problems again,I developed some thick mucus in my throat, and I lost my appetite then I started back worrying.Things got really bad when I discovered that the test I took (Orasure Oral Fluid HIV Antibody) only detects HIV-1.I called around and apparently,there is nowhere in my area that test for HIV-2.The health department isn't even sure if they test for it! Yesterday I discovered a new swollen lymph node in my groin. I'm so depressed and just don't know what to do.My Dr prescribed Xanax.Please,I really need help.


-How much of a risk is getting oral sex after another guy maybe ejaculated in the girls mouth?

-What's the odds of getting HIV-1/2 from getting blood test done at a hospital or getting blood sugar checked at Dr office?

-What are possible ways for me to get tested for HIV-2?

-How likely is it that I am infected with HIV-2?

-Would swollen lymph nodes,loss of apatite,sinus problems,on and off headaches,thick flem in throat and a rash on my back 3-5 months after exposure be HIV symptoms?

Should I test again?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Becaue it takes extra steps to get to the diagnosis and in a few parts of the world it provides a more direct diagnosis.

Do you really think your doctor saw something of concern and chose not to tell you?  You really are being a bit paranoid, aren't you?  Simialrly, when we test for HIV we call the tests "HIV tests", not echocardiograms or Upper GIs).

You really need to get a grip on yourself and your totally unwarranted anxiety.  It is hurting you.  Take care.  EWH

[scaredofneedles89]

Why do they make HIV-2 specific test if standard test would detect it?

I went to my personal doctor yesterday.He said that all of my test(eco cardio gram,upper gi,blood work) I had done October 28th were all normal except for the H.pylori infection in my stomach and he didn't even mention the rash on my back.If it was something to worry about,do you think he would of warned me? And would any of thoses test show if I had HIV?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I have reviewed not only your question but many of the 30 exchanges you have had with others on the HIV Prevention Community.  I have several facts to share with you which, by and large, reiterate and re-enforce messages that have already been provided.  I hope you will find them helpful.

First and foremost, you do not have HIV from the oral exposure you describe.  Odds are your partner was not infected and even if she was your risk of HIV from oral sex is less than 1 in 10,000 exposures and this is if she has HIV.  The fact that someone else ejaculated in her mouth prior to your exposure does not change this at all.  In addition, you cannot get HIV from a needle used in a health care setting to draw blood.  Great steps are taken to prevent needle re-use and they work.  Finally, you have no reason to worry about HIV-2.  It is very, very rare and in tests fo rHIV-1, a positive HIV-2 test yields an "equivocal" result which would then lead to a correct diagnosis through further testing.  Having said that, I will now address your specific questions:

1.  Zero risk.
2.  Once again, zero risk from having blood drawn in a doctor's office.
3.  HIV-2 is transmitted in ways similar to HIV-1.  Sexual exposure is the most common route of transmission. If you had it, it would be detected.
4.  See above, it would have been detected by the tests you have had.
5.  The findings you describe could be due to HIV but, in your situation are not, the tests prove this.  These are non-specific findings which would be caused by any of a great number of causes including other infections or even anxiety.  In seeking the cause of your symptoms, the right approach is to work with a single doctor, not to go from doctor to doctor and to approach it logically and in a stepwise fashion.    
6.  No further testing is needed.  To do so is a waste of time and money.

Hope this helps.  EWH