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Still worried about HIV after 7 weeks
Hello doctor, first I want to say thank you and that I appreciate your time to read and answer this.
I'm an American living in South Korea. I was in Vietnam in September and had sex with a prostitute while drunk. I used a condom at first, however it fell off and I later replaced it with a new one and finished, but I'm not exactly sure how long I was having sex without it. This was on September 20th. I don't know whether the girl was HIV positive.
A day later I had fever blisters on my upper lips, they lasted for about 2 weeks and based off of reading I'm assuming it was oral herpes (I had never had them before). Two weeks later I had a fever, and a sore throat. Also since the fever I had a slight itching and sometimes burning feeling in the tip of my penis but I remember it being much worse weeks ago, but never anything severe to the point of being unbearable, the feeling would come and go sporadically. The feeling mainly came when sitting down or riding the bus.
Also two days ago I had a tiny bump where my scrotum meets my leg literally smaller than a grain of rice which caused some discomfort when I walked, but it's definitely going away and I haven't felt any discomfort from it anymore. But I've had none of the other symptoms related to HIV.
I had a blood drawn and a urine test done at a local hospital about 7 and a half weeks later for HIV and syphilis (November 13, 53 days later) and November 16th the doctor told me the test came out negative. He said they detected no inflammation as well. I'm not sure what kind of test it was, I just know it wasn't the rapid test where they prick your finger because I've had those before.
What are my chances of HIV? I've been freaking out since I know some say you have to wait until 12 weeks, and I've been emotionally unstable particularly today, because today my girlfriend told me she feels dizzy, tired, and felt like throwing up. I've decided to test for HIV+other STD's this week. Thank you doctor.
I'm an American living in South Korea. I was in Vietnam in September and had sex with a prostitute while drunk. I used a condom at first, however it fell off and I later replaced it with a new one and finished, but I'm not exactly sure how long I was having sex without it. This was on September 20th. I don't know whether the girl was HIV positive.
A day later I had fever blisters on my upper lips, they lasted for about 2 weeks and based off of reading I'm assuming it was oral herpes (I had never had them before). Two weeks later I had a fever, and a sore throat. Also since the fever I had a slight itching and sometimes burning feeling in the tip of my penis but I remember it being much worse weeks ago, but never anything severe to the point of being unbearable, the feeling would come and go sporadically. The feeling mainly came when sitting down or riding the bus.
Also two days ago I had a tiny bump where my scrotum meets my leg literally smaller than a grain of rice which caused some discomfort when I walked, but it's definitely going away and I haven't felt any discomfort from it anymore. But I've had none of the other symptoms related to HIV.
I had a blood drawn and a urine test done at a local hospital about 7 and a half weeks later for HIV and syphilis (November 13, 53 days later) and November 16th the doctor told me the test came out negative. He said they detected no inflammation as well. I'm not sure what kind of test it was, I just know it wasn't the rapid test where they prick your finger because I've had those before.
What are my chances of HIV? I've been freaking out since I know some say you have to wait until 12 weeks, and I've been emotionally unstable particularly today, because today my girlfriend told me she feels dizzy, tired, and felt like throwing up. I've decided to test for HIV+other STD's this week. Thank you doctor.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Gland to have helped; that's why we're here. You're welcome. Take care and stay safe.
Hello Doctor,
Thank you very much for the speedy response. I must admit reading your response has made me feel completely better from the emotional wreck I've been worrying about being infected. As I'm sure you've heard countless times here, people with any sort of symptoms assume the worst and panic, and I'm no different. You're absolutely right, today my girlfriend felt completely fine and it was as if yesterday never happened--I've just been paranoid and out of touch with reality. I feel much better now, and will get some additional STD tests and from the sounds of it the HIV test should definitely come back negative. Happy holidays and thank you so much for your help doctor. I really appreciate it.
Thank you very much for the speedy response. I must admit reading your response has made me feel completely better from the emotional wreck I've been worrying about being infected. As I'm sure you've heard countless times here, people with any sort of symptoms assume the worst and panic, and I'm no different. You're absolutely right, today my girlfriend felt completely fine and it was as if yesterday never happened--I've just been paranoid and out of touch with reality. I feel much better now, and will get some additional STD tests and from the sounds of it the HIV test should definitely come back negative. Happy holidays and thank you so much for your help doctor. I really appreciate it.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
Some of the standard responses to questions on this forum are that symptoms rarely are worrisome signs of a new HIV infection, since the identical symptoms are usually caused by far more common day-to-day viral infections; and that with standard HIV tests now in nearly universal use, negative results are close to 100% reliable by 6 weeks. Further, you describe no symptoms that sound like those of a new HIV infection, and neither do those of your girlfriend.
Based on the combination of a low risk exposure (your partner probably didn't have it and you had condom protected sex except for a brief moment) plus the negative test results, you can be certain you didn't catch HIV. Because some official sources do continue to recommend testing as long as 12 weeks after exposure, feel free to do that. But you can be absolutely certain that any other tests you do will also be negative.
As for other STDs, your exposure was low risk for them as well, and none of your symptoms suggest STDs. But for reassurance, probably you should be evaluated. See a health professional for proper assessment; don't be tempted by online testing services that will offer a whole bunch of tests you don't need based on your Vietnam exposure or symptoms.
Stay cool as you wait for additional evaluation and testing. For sure you don't have HIV and it is unlikely you caught any other STD either.
Regards-- HHH, MD
Some of the standard responses to questions on this forum are that symptoms rarely are worrisome signs of a new HIV infection, since the identical symptoms are usually caused by far more common day-to-day viral infections; and that with standard HIV tests now in nearly universal use, negative results are close to 100% reliable by 6 weeks. Further, you describe no symptoms that sound like those of a new HIV infection, and neither do those of your girlfriend.
Based on the combination of a low risk exposure (your partner probably didn't have it and you had condom protected sex except for a brief moment) plus the negative test results, you can be certain you didn't catch HIV. Because some official sources do continue to recommend testing as long as 12 weeks after exposure, feel free to do that. But you can be absolutely certain that any other tests you do will also be negative.
As for other STDs, your exposure was low risk for them as well, and none of your symptoms suggest STDs. But for reassurance, probably you should be evaluated. See a health professional for proper assessment; don't be tempted by online testing services that will offer a whole bunch of tests you don't need based on your Vietnam exposure or symptoms.
Stay cool as you wait for additional evaluation and testing. For sure you don't have HIV and it is unlikely you caught any other STD either.
Regards-- HHH, MD
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