Aa
Scared of HIV-related symptoms after intercourse with sex worker ?
Dear Doctor,
Thanks for the amazing community.
I ll try to be brief, so here is the story. I had an interaction with a Brazilian sex worker (escort) in London. The interaction consisted of deep kissing, fingering, and protected vaginal sex. The part that worried me the most was the un-protected oral sex which she performed on me. The following days were very stressful.
Two to three weeks after intercourse I experienced a sore throat/blocked nose/cough, mostly typical of a cold. At 4-5 weeks I had a cold sore on my lip ( i get those 2-3 times a year).
The most worrying symptom came at 70 days after intercourse. I developed herpes zoster which I know is the re-activation of childhood VZV, but also know that this happens in young adults (i m 34 years old) with reduced immune function. I think that at the same time I developed a small gum ulcer. I am not sure whether I scratched my gums while brushing, or it just occurred spontaneously, but let's assume the worst case of spontaneous development.
What I didn't mention is that at 26 days post-intercourse I took the DUO test in London, which turned out negative.
I am now at 80 days after the intercourse, going through the shingles currently, and I m getting too stressed that my VZV symptom is too uncommon for young adults like myself.
Do you believe in any chances that DUO test did not pick up an HIV infection and that those symptoms could point to an infection? I plan to take the antibody test at 90 days, but think the stress I m going through is quite intense!
Many thanks in advance!!
--
Christian
Thanks for the amazing community.
I ll try to be brief, so here is the story. I had an interaction with a Brazilian sex worker (escort) in London. The interaction consisted of deep kissing, fingering, and protected vaginal sex. The part that worried me the most was the un-protected oral sex which she performed on me. The following days were very stressful.
Two to three weeks after intercourse I experienced a sore throat/blocked nose/cough, mostly typical of a cold. At 4-5 weeks I had a cold sore on my lip ( i get those 2-3 times a year).
The most worrying symptom came at 70 days after intercourse. I developed herpes zoster which I know is the re-activation of childhood VZV, but also know that this happens in young adults (i m 34 years old) with reduced immune function. I think that at the same time I developed a small gum ulcer. I am not sure whether I scratched my gums while brushing, or it just occurred spontaneously, but let's assume the worst case of spontaneous development.
What I didn't mention is that at 26 days post-intercourse I took the DUO test in London, which turned out negative.
I am now at 80 days after the intercourse, going through the shingles currently, and I m getting too stressed that my VZV symptom is too uncommon for young adults like myself.
Do you believe in any chances that DUO test did not pick up an HIV infection and that those symptoms could point to an infection? I plan to take the antibody test at 90 days, but think the stress I m going through is quite intense!
Many thanks in advance!!
--
Christian
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
