What Should I Test For

[danmc1]

Hi Doctor- I am a 53 year old straight male in good health until recently. Nine weeks ago, I cut my neck using a used razor in the shower at a massage parlor (only Asian women working there). Eight days after that, my sinuses were inflamed and I had myalgea in my arms and just slightly in my legs. My sinuses cleared up in a couple of weeks, and the aching in my muscles is better-but STILL there with a mild burning sensation. It is now nine weeks. I have occasional light night sweats too-but no fever at all, no sore throat or bumps. No swollen lymph nodes. I tested for HIV at 6.5 weeks (rapidtest blood) and it was neg. I also tested for all Hepatitus and Mono-also neg. What could this be please and what else might I get tested for? The weakness in my arms (bicpes & triceps) is really bothering me-though the aching has subsided.
Thank You,
Dan

[Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia, MD, MRCGP, PhD]

No it is not, especially in isolation.  It can be a symptom (as it is non-specific) of many other conditions, much more common than the ones mentioned.
best,
Dr José

[Dr. Jose Gonzalez-Garcia, MD, MRCGP, PhD]

Hello,
Thank you very much for your post and welcome to our forum.
There is certainly a risk of a viral blood borne infection from cutting oneself with a used razor, mainly Hepatitis C as it can survive much longer outside the body, but also a risk of Hep B and HIV, even though much less as they are unable to survive outside the body for very long.  Your negative test results are highly reassuring, but not conclusive at 6 and a half weeks and I would advice you to have these repeated, ideally for Hep C antibodies you would need to wait until 12 weeks, unless you get a PCR RNA test done now.  The same would apply to Hep B and HIV, if having antibody tests only.  You could either have a PCR test for these now, or a HIV Duo test and a Hep Bs Ag.  These will be much more reliable at this stage that a simple antibody test.
Anyhow, it is likely that none of your symptoms are related to this razor accident, and therefore I would advice you to get a full blood test in order to check your general health and see if they are related with any other condition.
Best wishes,
Dr José

[danmc1]

My apologies for writing again, but I am advised that my HIV Neg at 9 weeks is 99% comfimatory. If not Hepatitis, are there any other infections you'd suggest I test for-given the muscle weakness is the 9 weeks+ symptom please?
Thank You

[danmc1]

Thanks for your feedback. I did get retested for HIV yesterday-now 9 weeks oral swab rapidtest-NEG. As for the Hepatitis risk-I was tested at 5 weeks for ABC-all neg. Would you please advise if having muscle soreness/weakness (primarily in arms) for 8 weeks is a common symptom of this?

Thank You