HIV/AIDS

[jeffgrace]

Hi,

I am a 25 year old gay male. About 6 weeks ago, I had a cold that started with a sore throat that wouldn't shake. It gradually developed into Laryngitis, which the doctor gave me antibiotics ( Hydro-oxinine, & Cypro ) for. That cleared up my throat pain, and my voice came back. After about a week after finishing the course of antibiotics, my sore throat has come back and has been giving me grief for coming up to 3 weeks now. I developed a white patchy coating on my tongue and my left tonsil is VERY swollen and sore. I returned to my doctors and this time he prescribed me penicillin on a course for 7 days. I'm 3 days into my course now, and the white patchy tongue has gone, but the left tonsil is still as swollen as it was before. Other than my tonsil, I'm totally fine, I'm not tired, no stomach pain, no rash or toilet problems... But this sore throat is driving me insane!

I've been in a commited relationship for over a year now, and my partner is the only person that I've had unprotected sex with in over 3 years ( I knew the status of my boyfriend before that ). I work away overseas in North America alot and he's in England, and we last had sex about 4 weeks ago, just before the chronic sore throat started and was just getting over the initial cold... does this sound sus? I'm really petrified about going for a test and everything I've been reading about chronic sore throats seems to point to HIV .. Any help out there?

[Hip]

Hi jeffgrace

I have a very similar chronic sore throat, which does not go away. My throat infection also caused a white tongue coating (called geographic tongue) that does not go away either.

This infection then spread to my lungs, stomach, and bowels. It caused pins and needles in my legs and all over my body. Then it created mood changes, such as depression, anhedonia (loss of desires), memory problems, athymhormia (loss of motivation), constant fatigue, rapid onset of periodontal disease (receding gums), and weak legs.

I suspect that is may be a new respiratory virus, which has very unpleasant symptoms.

For more details, see my blog:

http://chronicsorethroat.wordpress.com/

I hope this helps.

[kimme]

Hi jeffgrace,

After reading your story, I would to suggest to you to go and get tested. It is nothing to be afraid of, at least you will know your status. I have been taking tests for the past eight years or so dutifully. I do not like how you have let fear take over your good sense of judgment toward your health. You rather take the pain and all kinds of medications over knowing the truth about yourself. If the test is negative then you can seek other medical help for this sore throat. So think about it and let me know what you've decided. You can talk to me no matter what the outcome.