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Possible HIV infection or stress anxiety
I am suffering from several physical issues as well as mental concerns that have recently arisen in my life since I was possibly exposed to HIV. My situation arose after having unprotected intercourse with a female 31 days ago.
1 - Is it possible to show signs of infection within 36 hours of exposure?
2 - Two STD HIV tests were performed three days after exposure. All negative. Is this a positive sign?
3 - I developed pain in my testicles and penis as well as a sudden urge to urinate after possible exposure. Urologist said that I was suffering from Urethritis. Was the Urethritis caused by a disease although my tests were negative?
4 - Within the last two weeks, I have experienced a painful sore tailbone (especially when sitting) with a warm radiating feeling. Is this tailbone pain related to HIV infection?
5 - I occasionally experience mild muscle aches and twitches. Is this associated with HIV symptoms? Or is it my stress and or anxiety?
6 - Twenty-eight days after exposure, I had a rapid HIV blood test performed. All negative. The official (RN/Doctor’s Asst) said that she was taught that HIV antibodies appear within 21 days. Is this correct?
7 - Am I dealing with stress or anxiety? My life is now consumed with my conditions. I am constantly reading online of my symptoms and am fearful I have contracted HIV. My body aches and twitches at the thought of disease and I don’t know if it’s my nerves/stress/constant thought of HIV is getting to me or if I’m actually infected. Emotionally, I am exhausted, want to withdraw from society, cry at the thought of not being with my family, lost my appetite, and want to sleep.
Reading my time line, how concerned should I be? What can I do to relax a little? Can I breathe a little easier knowing that three STD HIV tests have come back negative? Why am I experiencing other physical or physiological issues? Are they related to possible HIV infection?
Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
1 - Is it possible to show signs of infection within 36 hours of exposure?
2 - Two STD HIV tests were performed three days after exposure. All negative. Is this a positive sign?
3 - I developed pain in my testicles and penis as well as a sudden urge to urinate after possible exposure. Urologist said that I was suffering from Urethritis. Was the Urethritis caused by a disease although my tests were negative?
4 - Within the last two weeks, I have experienced a painful sore tailbone (especially when sitting) with a warm radiating feeling. Is this tailbone pain related to HIV infection?
5 - I occasionally experience mild muscle aches and twitches. Is this associated with HIV symptoms? Or is it my stress and or anxiety?
6 - Twenty-eight days after exposure, I had a rapid HIV blood test performed. All negative. The official (RN/Doctor’s Asst) said that she was taught that HIV antibodies appear within 21 days. Is this correct?
7 - Am I dealing with stress or anxiety? My life is now consumed with my conditions. I am constantly reading online of my symptoms and am fearful I have contracted HIV. My body aches and twitches at the thought of disease and I don’t know if it’s my nerves/stress/constant thought of HIV is getting to me or if I’m actually infected. Emotionally, I am exhausted, want to withdraw from society, cry at the thought of not being with my family, lost my appetite, and want to sleep.
Reading my time line, how concerned should I be? What can I do to relax a little? Can I breathe a little easier knowing that three STD HIV tests have come back negative? Why am I experiencing other physical or physiological issues? Are they related to possible HIV infection?
Any help or suggestions are greatly appreciated.
Just wanted to let you know that I had another HIV Rapid test performed this morning. It has been nine weeks since possible exposure. The result was Negative.
Is it safe to say I am in the clear? I had a HIV PCR DNA test 32 days after possible exposure and it too was negative.
Please advise and thank you again.
Is it safe to say I am in the clear? I had a HIV PCR DNA test 32 days after possible exposure and it too was negative.
Please advise and thank you again.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello again,
Looking at symptoms is not the right thing to do, because they are non-specific and they can be symptoms of hundreds of other conditions, much more common than HIV. I think that all the symptoms that you are experiencing are related to stress and anxiety. Also the worst thing that you can do is to go on and on searching on the internet, as it will only increase your anxiety and will not help you at all whatosever.
Try to calm down and wait for the test result. I am very confident that it is going to be negative.
Best wishes,
Dr José
Looking at symptoms is not the right thing to do, because they are non-specific and they can be symptoms of hundreds of other conditions, much more common than HIV. I think that all the symptoms that you are experiencing are related to stress and anxiety. Also the worst thing that you can do is to go on and on searching on the internet, as it will only increase your anxiety and will not help you at all whatosever.
Try to calm down and wait for the test result. I am very confident that it is going to be negative.
Best wishes,
Dr José
As another follow up, last night I experienced my first night sweat. I woke up completely terrified.
As mentioned, I had my PCR test performed earlier in the day. The rest of my day was extremely terrifying and exhausting. I finally went jogging for the first time since exposure and have been an emotional wreck. I've been upset and crying all day. Aftervthecrun, I walked to a church to pray for my stupid actions.
After waking up for the sweat, I immediately went online and looked at HIV symptoms. This is what I do all day. Before I went to sleep I spent almost two hours onlinecreading posts.
Was I sweating because I have HIV? Could it beci have a heavy blanket and mind is going outbid control thinking about my HIV symptoms.It has been 32 days after exposure. Now all I think about is the weak fatiguecfeeling I occasionally get and nowcwill obsess over the night sweat. Still do not believe I have had a fever, nor a rash or swollen lymph nodes.
Please help me doctor. I do not believe I will make it past this weekend. Have many crazy thoughts running in my head and start to shake. I think I should end my drama. Help!
As mentioned, I had my PCR test performed earlier in the day. The rest of my day was extremely terrifying and exhausting. I finally went jogging for the first time since exposure and have been an emotional wreck. I've been upset and crying all day. Aftervthecrun, I walked to a church to pray for my stupid actions.
After waking up for the sweat, I immediately went online and looked at HIV symptoms. This is what I do all day. Before I went to sleep I spent almost two hours onlinecreading posts.
Was I sweating because I have HIV? Could it beci have a heavy blanket and mind is going outbid control thinking about my HIV symptoms.It has been 32 days after exposure. Now all I think about is the weak fatiguecfeeling I occasionally get and nowcwill obsess over the night sweat. Still do not believe I have had a fever, nor a rash or swollen lymph nodes.
Please help me doctor. I do not believe I will make it past this weekend. Have many crazy thoughts running in my head and start to shake. I think I should end my drama. Help!
Dr. Jose,
Thank you for your responses doctor. Although a little assured by your comments, I'm very scared. Going today to get a HIV-1 DNA RT- PCR With HIV Antibodies test.
Just a follow up question if I may. Now it could be stress, anxiety, and nerves taking hold of me, but there are times when my body "hits the wall" and I become very tired and weak. What could this be? I started feeling this way when my tailbone started giving me pain. But today, the tailbone pain has subsided but I became very weak, tired, and drained for about an hour. What is it that Im feeling? Now I'm searching online and my muscles are twitching with spasms and I cannot concentrate on doing my work. I feel a little better but feel as if there is a sensation traveling pulsating around my body? Is this possible or is it my brain? Could this be the HIV infecting my body or something else (either real or imagination)?
Thank you.
Thank you for your responses doctor. Although a little assured by your comments, I'm very scared. Going today to get a HIV-1 DNA RT- PCR With HIV Antibodies test.
Just a follow up question if I may. Now it could be stress, anxiety, and nerves taking hold of me, but there are times when my body "hits the wall" and I become very tired and weak. What could this be? I started feeling this way when my tailbone started giving me pain. But today, the tailbone pain has subsided but I became very weak, tired, and drained for about an hour. What is it that Im feeling? Now I'm searching online and my muscles are twitching with spasms and I cannot concentrate on doing my work. I feel a little better but feel as if there is a sensation traveling pulsating around my body? Is this possible or is it my brain? Could this be the HIV infecting my body or something else (either real or imagination)?
Thank you.
Dr. Gonzalez can you please answer my question because nobody is answering me and i posted it before everybody today. please I'm panacing.
my forum is :
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV---International/Please-Im-freaking-out/show/1344750?personal_page_id=1784134#post_6143814
my forum is :
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV---International/Please-Im-freaking-out/show/1344750?personal_page_id=1784134#post_6143814
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello,
Thank you so much for your post and welcome to our forum.
I am going to try to answer each of your questions in capitals here below:
1 - Is it possible to show signs of infection within 36 hours of exposure?
NO, IT IS FAR TOO EARLY. MOST PEOPLE WOULD EXPERIENCE SOME SYMPTOMS AT LEAST AFTER TWO WEEKS OF THE INFECTION.
2 - Two STD HIV tests were performed three days after exposure. All negative. Is this a positive sign?
THEY ARE IRRELEVANT AS IT IS FAR TOO EARLY FOR ANY HIV TEST TO BE RELIABLE. IT IS ALSO TOO EARLY TO HAVE CONCLUSIVE RESULTS FOR OTHER STDs
3 - I developed pain in my testicles and penis as well as a sudden urge to urinate after possible exposure. Urologist said that I was suffering from Urethritis. Was the Urethritis caused by a disease although my tests were negative?
IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN NSU OR NON-SPECIFIC URETHRITIS WHICH IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE AND IT WAS NOT PROBABLY PICKED UP IN THE TESTS PERFORMED
4 - Within the last two weeks, I have experienced a painful sore tailbone (especially when sitting) with a warm radiating feeling. Is this tailbone pain related to HIV infection?
NOT AT ALL. I THINK IT IS TOTALLY UNRELATED.
5 - I occasionally experience mild muscle aches and twitches. Is this associated with HIV symptoms? Or is it my stress and or anxiety?
IT IS NOT TYPICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH HIV AND I FEEL IT IS MOST LIKELY SOMETHING TO DO WITH YOUR WORRY AND ANXIETY.
6 - Twenty-eight days after exposure, I had a rapid HIV blood test performed. All negative. The official (RN/Doctor’s Asst) said that she was taught that HIV antibodies appear within 21 days. Is this correct?
THE RESULT IS HIGHLY RELIABLE AND REASSURING AS ANTIBODIES CAN BE DETECTED EARLY ON, HOWEVER IT IS NOT CONCLUSIVE; YOU WOULD HAVE NEEDED A DUO TEST WITH p24 ANTIGEN FOR IT TO BE CONCLUSIVE AT THAT TIME. A RAPID HIV ANTIBODY TEST IS CONCLUSIVE AFTER 8 WEEKS.
7 - Am I dealing with stress or anxiety? My life is now consumed with my conditions. I am constantly reading online of my symptoms and am fearful I have contracted HIV. My body aches and twitches at the thought of disease and I don’t know if it’s my nerves/stress/constant thought of HIV is getting to me or if I’m actually infected. Emotionally, I am exhausted, want to withdraw from society, cry at the thought of not being with my family, lost my appetite, and want to sleep.
I DO NOT THINK YOU HAVE BEEN INFECTED AND ALL THE SYMPTOMS ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE RELATED TO YOUR STRESS, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, ETC, AS YOU MENTION.
WHAT I WOULD ADVICE YOU TO DO NOW IS TO EITHER HAVE A DUO OR COMBO HIV TEST (WHICH INCLUDES THE p24 ANTIGEN + ANTIBODIES) OR REPEAT THE RAPID TEST IN 3-4 WEEKS. THESE WOULD BE TOTALLY CONCLUSIVE AT THOSE TIMES. I AM SURE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE NEGATIVE SO THAT YOU CAN PUT ALL OF THIS BEHIND YOU FOR ONE AND FOR ALL.
Best wishes,
Dr José
Thank you so much for your post and welcome to our forum.
I am going to try to answer each of your questions in capitals here below:
1 - Is it possible to show signs of infection within 36 hours of exposure?
NO, IT IS FAR TOO EARLY. MOST PEOPLE WOULD EXPERIENCE SOME SYMPTOMS AT LEAST AFTER TWO WEEKS OF THE INFECTION.
2 - Two STD HIV tests were performed three days after exposure. All negative. Is this a positive sign?
THEY ARE IRRELEVANT AS IT IS FAR TOO EARLY FOR ANY HIV TEST TO BE RELIABLE. IT IS ALSO TOO EARLY TO HAVE CONCLUSIVE RESULTS FOR OTHER STDs
3 - I developed pain in my testicles and penis as well as a sudden urge to urinate after possible exposure. Urologist said that I was suffering from Urethritis. Was the Urethritis caused by a disease although my tests were negative?
IT MIGHT HAVE BEEN NSU OR NON-SPECIFIC URETHRITIS WHICH IS SOMETIMES DIFFICULT TO DIAGNOSE AND IT WAS NOT PROBABLY PICKED UP IN THE TESTS PERFORMED
4 - Within the last two weeks, I have experienced a painful sore tailbone (especially when sitting) with a warm radiating feeling. Is this tailbone pain related to HIV infection?
NOT AT ALL. I THINK IT IS TOTALLY UNRELATED.
5 - I occasionally experience mild muscle aches and twitches. Is this associated with HIV symptoms? Or is it my stress and or anxiety?
IT IS NOT TYPICALLY ASSOCIATED WITH HIV AND I FEEL IT IS MOST LIKELY SOMETHING TO DO WITH YOUR WORRY AND ANXIETY.
6 - Twenty-eight days after exposure, I had a rapid HIV blood test performed. All negative. The official (RN/Doctor’s Asst) said that she was taught that HIV antibodies appear within 21 days. Is this correct?
THE RESULT IS HIGHLY RELIABLE AND REASSURING AS ANTIBODIES CAN BE DETECTED EARLY ON, HOWEVER IT IS NOT CONCLUSIVE; YOU WOULD HAVE NEEDED A DUO TEST WITH p24 ANTIGEN FOR IT TO BE CONCLUSIVE AT THAT TIME. A RAPID HIV ANTIBODY TEST IS CONCLUSIVE AFTER 8 WEEKS.
7 - Am I dealing with stress or anxiety? My life is now consumed with my conditions. I am constantly reading online of my symptoms and am fearful I have contracted HIV. My body aches and twitches at the thought of disease and I don’t know if it’s my nerves/stress/constant thought of HIV is getting to me or if I’m actually infected. Emotionally, I am exhausted, want to withdraw from society, cry at the thought of not being with my family, lost my appetite, and want to sleep.
I DO NOT THINK YOU HAVE BEEN INFECTED AND ALL THE SYMPTOMS ARE MOST LIKELY TO BE RELATED TO YOUR STRESS, ANXIETY, DEPRESSION, ETC, AS YOU MENTION.
WHAT I WOULD ADVICE YOU TO DO NOW IS TO EITHER HAVE A DUO OR COMBO HIV TEST (WHICH INCLUDES THE p24 ANTIGEN + ANTIBODIES) OR REPEAT THE RAPID TEST IN 3-4 WEEKS. THESE WOULD BE TOTALLY CONCLUSIVE AT THOSE TIMES. I AM SURE THAT THEY ARE GOING TO BE NEGATIVE SO THAT YOU CAN PUT ALL OF THIS BEHIND YOU FOR ONE AND FOR ALL.
Best wishes,
Dr José
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