HIV worried-well?

[worriedguy470]

I had one sexual encounter over a year ago that consisted of me receiving oral with ejaculation. I asked the guy if he had been tested and he told me that he had the month before and that he was negative. I'm a bit of a hypochondriac and wound up getting tested 2-3 weeks after the incident and was given a clean bill of health w/the exception of HSV-1 which is more than likely due to having had chicken pox as a child. Shortly after getting my results I came down with what I thought was a really bad cold with fever, chills, coughing, stuffy nose and body aches. This past year it seems that my health has really gone downhill (or i'm fixating on everything). I have had constant loose stools and what I think are genital warts (although both my doc. & dermatologist do not). I'm afraid that these two ongoing things are a sign of HIV infection. I also had a itchy rash on my thigh that came out of nowhere which I was told was contact dermatitis. Finally, the palms of my hands keep peeling over and over...I don't know if this is due to sweating or HIV. I hope that my mind is just getting the best of me but I had to ask...could this all be HIV-related or is it just the result of a years worth of obsessing and worrying.

[RubyWitch]

First off, you had NO RISK. You have to accept that fact before you can move on. (And your bleeding gums or your filling falling out or a sore from biting your cheek or spitting out a little blood after brushing your teeth are incidental.......they do NOT put you at risk!)

You say you were tested 2-3 WEEKS post exposure. While these tests may have shown some STD problems, ONLY at the 3 MONTH POST EXPOSURE point can you get a conclusive HIV resiult.

Your other issues sound like anxiety, some mild dermatolgical issues and cold or flu symptoms........all of which are turning into HIV symptoms in your mind.

If you haven't alrady been to our HIV Forum, I strongly suggest a visit there for the expert advice you need and WILL receive. If you HAVE already been there and have been told "NO RISK," and are now here on the Anxiety Forum, that tells me you have more to deal with than your fear of having contracted HIV. You state you have hypochondria and my guess is THAT is your problem.

Talk with your doctor or an HIV Hotline to determine if you need any follow up testing. IF that test is recommended, comes back negative (which it will) then what you need now is some professional therapy to help you deal with your hypochondria.

I am far from being an "expert" on HIV, and it sounds like an expert is who you need to talk to about this. The anxiety I can totally relate to, but until you get it through your head that you were never at risk, then we can talk until we're blue in the face and won't get anywhere.

See your doctor and seek some therapy. You can then move on.
I wish you the best and hope you keep us posted.
Peace
Greelydia