Flu like symptoms the day after a prostitute

[Holden43]

Hi,
Three nights ago I was very drunk and was with a prostitute. We used a condom. The next day I was sick and thought I was just hung over. I am still sick with flu like symptoms. I had a seasonal flu shot back in October. I lived in area with many H1N1 cases. Earlier this year I was sick with Influenza-Like-Illness and was told it was most likely H1N1.  It seems likely that I acquired something from the prostitute. What do you suspect I’m sick with?
Thank you,
Doug

[Holden43]

My question is regarding STD’s in general not specifically HIV. No matter, I don’t have any additional questions. It does seem more like a common cold. Thank you for your quick response.
Doug

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to our Forum.  You have posted on the wrong site.   Questions about HIV belong on the HIV prevention site.  I will do my best to answer your questions with this reply but, if you have additional questions or follow-up they must be on the HIV Prevention site.  Sorry

The symptoms you describe are far more likely be due to influenza or some other non-STD viral infection than HIV or, for that matter, any STD.  In fact, it is unlikely that your symptoms are due to anything you acquired from your commercial sex worker partner.  For starters most CSWs do not have HIV or other STDs. While their rates are indeed higher than the general population as a result of their multiple sexual exposures, the majority do not have infection.  Even more importantly however is that your symptoms began the day after your exposure.  No STD, including HIV, become symptomatic the day after exposure.  It typical takes about 3 days for symptoms of even the earliest STDs to appear and for HIV symptoms usually don't appear until several weeks after exposure.  Finally, your exposure was condom protected.  This too makes your risk of getting HIV or any other STD minimal.

Bottom line.  For all of the reasons mentioned above, your symptoms are not due to HIV and there is no reason for you to be concerned about the exposure you describe.  In fact, there is little reason for you to seek STD testing related to this exposure.  

Hope this is helpful.  EWH