Possible exposure unprotected, flu-like symptoms

[darkgift]

I was recently in a relationship with a girl who ended up having herpes. It has been a couple of weeks and I still do not have any blisters or anything and my doctor said I have more than likely not been infected. We had unprotected sex regularly. She tested negative for HIV early in the relationship (I had her get tested because she was having night sweats and fatigue with no apparent reason). I did not get a test. We continued having unprotected sex. She had cheated on many of her ex boyfriends so it is possible that between then and now she cheated on me. I got an illness that started off as dizziness and feeling like I was about to faint. I developed a sore throat and swelling of the lymph nodes in my throat. My lymph nodes were very painful. I had no swelling of lymph nodes anywhere else on my body except maybe slightly on the back of my neck (this one did not hurt). I took azithromycin just in case it was bacterial. The first day I had a fever and severely sensitive skin along with a sore throat (with small white spots), dizziness, headache, stiff neck, confusion/not able to concentrate, and body aches. I slept for long periods of time. I got night sweats a few times that didn't soak my bed but I had to change my clothing. I didn't want to eat at all though I tried having oranges and soup. There was no diarrhea or vomiting. I had a dry cough that has persisted for 2 and a half weeks although my lungs appear to be clear by the doctors standards. I got about 3-6 raised flat spots on my chest that were not painful or itchy and they went away in a day or two. I also lost about 10 pounds (I believe from not eating).I now have a chronic cough, low grade fevers at night, malaise, fatigue, some nights I have night sweats (though often not severe unless I take an NSAID), yellow/brownish mucous, and extremely painful burning ligaments. Also my sore throat has returned (with no small white spots this time). My ligaments started to be painful around the time my illness seemed to be getting better. My cough is worse now than in the beginning but still dry and unproductive. It's been about 2 and a half weeks since the onset of this illness and a few days in between I felt almost back to normal. I plan to get tested, I'm just wondering if these symptoms sound like ARS. Specifically the intermittent low grade fevers I get at night that resolve by morning. I had severe abdominal pain for a couple of days as well, with constipation. I believe that to be due to not eating and severe anxiety (I also suffer from depression). Is severe ligament pain associated with ARS? Also I got a strep test which was neg. I haven't had any tick bites or anything like that.

[2terrified]

Yes.  I agree going back and forth about it isn't helping.  You really should find another doctor to screen you.

[Unknown1825]

Your doctor recommended you don't do an HIV test because of the costs? What world is he living in?

HIV tests are in many cases free, and if not, they are also quite affordable, and many people are ALWAYS doing it. You need to get tested for HIV before being tested for lymes or whatever it is.

I suggest, like the other members here have, get an HIV test done. This is just a standard thing to do after any unprotected sexual encounter, try to put aside the symptoms from your mind, do not self-diagnose yourself.

I know it's difficult in the thick of it, but realistically, HIV symptoms are also general flu like symptoms, you aren't going to know it yourself.

[darkgift]

They no longer test for H1N1 and why would the symptoms last for 2 and a half weeks from h1n1? Here's the list of symptoms:

sore throat and  sore swollen lymph nodes in neck (both lasted 4 days with small white spots on tonsils (nurse practitioner said it wasn't thrush)
dizziness (began with this and lasted 4 days)
fever (lasted 1 day moderate 101-102 and came back with a low grade few nights 99-100)
aching body (only with fever and lasted 1 and 1/2 days)
sensitive skin (lasted for 2 days and then 2 days more on the very top of my head)
headache (lasted 1 day on and off)
Stiff neck (lasted 2 weeks)
night sweats (randomly spaced and varying in intensity for about 2 and a half weeks)
weird dots on skin that fade with pressure (a few days in the beginning and returning after 2 weeks)
Burning ligament pain in knees, hips, ankles ( starting 1 week after onset of illness and is still on going,  it's symmetrical, moving from tendon to tendon, non swelling, not inside the joint)
inability to concentrate or think at times, poor memory (onset of illness, on and off since)
weight loss (10 pounds)
severe abdominal pain and constipation (2 days)
on going dry cough
yellow/brown mucus in sinuses
complete loss of appetite (4 days-1 week)
tested neg. for strep

It was viral as determined by the nurse practitioner
I am currently seeing my doctor who is testing me for lymes and doing a full
metabolic panel (he recommended not doing the HIV test because of costs, he told me to use a clinic)

[2terrified]

I only saw sore throat in there.  And there is so much that I can't find it without reading it from beginning to end.  I am pressed for time here.

So, were you diagnosed with a throat infection?  Were you even tested for H1N1? Either way, I go back to my original thought about your situation.  Request a full std screening so you can find out your status and stop worrying about it.

[darkgift]

Also I must mention that a doctor I saw said it didn't look like the flu for some reason. I think it was because of the throat infection.

[darkgift]

It could be a flu, but why would it last over two weeks and cause ligament pain and intermittent fevers?

[2terrified]

Do you think that maybe you just got the flu?  And because your ex-girlfriend was diagnosed with herpes, you have now worried yourself to pieces thinking she gave you herpes and maybe more?

The best thing for you to do is to see a doctor.  While you are there, see if they will give you a full std screening to include HIV, Hepatitis, and HSV.  This way you will know your status and won't think every ailment is connected to std.

[darkgift]

I'm also not having an extreme sore throat anymore, just the post nasal kind. My lymph node swelling in my neck is completely gone. They seem to be smaller than they were before the illness. They never turned red. I'm still a lot weaker than I was originally.