HIV/AIDS

[Guest]

Hello Doc, I had unprotected vaginal sex with an "entertainer" in South Korea(I am in the military). 2 weeks after the exposure I had a fever and diareha for one day accompanied by a sore throat and stuffed nose, Also upon examining my mouth with a flashlight I noticed some yellowish looking spots(kinda resembeling pimples on my inner cheeks) which freaked me out. I tested negative elisa at 2 months. 3 questions, do these symptoms indicate ars? how convincing is a 2 month negative elisa(my doc told me that since my test was quite a while after my so called symptoms that my test would have been positive at that point)and does my mouth problem sound like thrush? 4 months later and mouth still has those spots that do not bother me at all. Please answer i am in dire need of some feedback.

[Guest]

You're right in being concerned that you can get HIV from having sex with a commercial sex worker. The symptoms at 2 weeks are consistent with ARS, but not typical. We usually see more rash, swollen glands, etc. The bumps on the inside of your mouth don't sound like thrush or hairy leukoplakia. A negative test at 2 months is very reassuring. I'd recheck at 4 months (ie, two more months) If that's negative, move on.... and use condoms with ALL sexual encounters unless you're sure of the status. There's a raging heterosexual epidemic in asia, africa, eastern europe and some cities of the US.
GR
[quote] Hello Doc, I had unprotected vaginal sex with an "entertainer" in South Korea(I am in the military). 2 weeks after the exposure I had a fever and diareha for one day accompanied by a sore throat and stuffed nose, Also upon examining my mouth with a flashlight I noticed some yellowish looking spots(kinda resembeling pimples on my inner cheeks) which freaked me out... [/quote]

[Guest]

You're right in being concerned that you can get HIV from having sex with a commercial sex worker. The symptoms at 2 weeks are consistent with ARS, but not typical. We usually see more rash, swollen glands, etc. The bumps on the inside of your mouth don't sound like thrush or hairy leukoplakia. A negative test at 2 months is very reassuring. I'd recheck at 4 months (ie, two more months) If that's negative, move on.... and use condoms with ALL sexual encounters unless you're sure of the status. There's a raging heterosexual epidemic in asia, africa, eastern europe and some cities of the US.
GR
[quote] Hello Doc, I had unprotected vaginal sex with an "entertainer" in South Korea(I am in the military). 2 weeks after the exposure I had a fever and diareha for one day accompanied by a sore throat and stuffed nose, Also upon examining my mouth with a flashlight I noticed some yellowish looking spots(kinda resembeling pimples on my inner cheeks) which freaked me out... [/quote]

[Guest]

You're right in being concerned that you can get HIV from having sex with a commercial sex worker. The symptoms at 2 weeks are consistent with ARS, but not typical. We usually see more rash, swollen glands, etc. The bumps on the inside of your mouth don't sound like thrush or hairy leukoplakia. A negative test at 2 months is very reassuring. I'd recheck at 4 months (ie, two more months) If that's negative, move on.... and use condoms with ALL sexual encounters unless you're sure of the status. There's a raging heterosexual epidemic in asia, africa, eastern europe and some cities of the US.
GR
[quote] Hello Doc, I had unprotected vaginal sex with an "entertainer" in South Korea(I am in the military). 2 weeks after the exposure I had a fever and diareha for one day accompanied by a sore throat and stuffed nose, Also upon examining my mouth with a flashlight I noticed some yellowish looking spots(kinda resembeling pimples on my inner cheeks) which freaked me out... [/quote]

[Guest]

Doc,

I know it was a huge mistake on my part, I am concerned about the spots in my mouth because they blled when I rub them off but they do not look like any pictures of thrush I have seen on the net. I also seem to be bruising easier than usual, is that a sign of early hiv infection? Thanx for your reply.
[quote] You're right in being concerned that you can get HIV from having sex with a commercial sex worker. The symptoms at 2 weeks are consistent with ARS, but not typical... [/quote]

[Guest]

The lining of your mouth is very thin. If you rub off anything on your cheeks you will bleed. This is not suggestive of hiv, in the presence of a negative test. GR
[quote] Doc,

I know it was a huge mistake on my part, I am concerned about the spots in my mouth because they blled when I rub them off but they do not look like any pictures of thrush I have seen on the net. I also seem to be bruising easier than usual, is that a sign of early hiv infection... [/quote]

[Guest]

I noticed that I am getting more colds since my exposure and my cuts seem to take longer to heal is this a symptom of early hiv infection. Is Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura an early symptom of hiv, cuz I do seem to be bruising easy as well, sorry for being such a pain in your neck but I am convinced I am positive and am stressing out!!!!
[quote] The lining of your mouth is very thin. If you rub off anything on your cheeks you will bleed... [/quote]

[Guest]

I get that you're convinced that you're positive and stressed out. ITP doesn't present with bruising usually. It presents with a rash called purpura. The way to rule out ITP is to get a CBC and check the platelet count. The way for you to conclusively prove to yourself that you don't have hiv is to get a viral load. If it's negative you don't have hiv. You can't and SHOULDN'T try to diagnose yourself by interpreting things you feel and see, and trying to fit them into the signs of HIV. That is frightening and crazy making. And there's already enough crazy people in the world without you turning yourself into another one! GR
[quote] I noticed that I am getting more colds since my exposure and my cuts seem to take longer to heal is this a symptom of early hiv infection. Is Idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura an early symptom of hiv, cuz I do seem to be bruising easy as well, sorry for being such a pain in your neck but I am convinced I am positive and am stressing out... [/quote]

[Guest]

Doc,
If I could get a viral load I would but since I am in the US Military in South Korea they will not give me one and I am not allowed to go to the korean hospitals so I am screwed. They will not give me another Elisa either until October which is 5 months post exposure, so now I have to sit here and worry about every little medical problem I have and relate it to HIV. Are slow healing cuts a symptom? Any suggestions on what I should do?
[quote] I get that you're convinced that you're positive and stressed out. ITP doesn't present with bruising usually... [/quote]

[Guest]

The docs in the military are right in this case. They don't work on anxiety, but on science. The negative test at 2 months after one episode of unprotected intercourse is very reassuring. The chance of getting hiv from such an episode with a known positvie woman is about 1-3/1000. The chance that your test is a false negative is less than 1/100. Therefore, that chance that you're infected is less than 1/100,000. GR
[quote] Doc,
If I could get a viral load I would but since I am in the US Military in South Korea they will not give me one and I am not allowed to go to the korean hospitals so I am screwed. They will not give me another Elisa either until October which is 5 months post exposure, so now I have to sit here and worry about every little medical problem I have and relate it to HIV... [/quote]