still concerned

[papa557]

Dear Dr- I wrote a few months back re an exposure about a year ago to a csw (with condom on- did not break) and appreciate the assurances I was given- Teak and Lizzie said no risk also  so i didn't see the need for testing , but i have made an appointment to do it just to clear my mind. I had posted a question to you a few days ago but it got posted on the hiv forum by my mistake.So i will make this as brief as possible so as not to take up your valuable time- and this will be the last time I will write you on this. I have had a couple of ongoing symptoms that concern me, but it could be to to the stress of all this or something else. Six months after my exposure I started getting dizzness and lightheaded feelings which come and go and still persist- I also started getting burning and stinging sensations on my back area a few months ago - the sensation is not all the time but comes and goes randomly during the day and just lasts for a second or so and then goes away-anywhere between my shoulder blades or back or side area which is weird-no sores or anything i can see just some faint red dots lower back area if i look closely.. I also had three small red spots develop on my lower stomach area which may have been caused by my cats claws going through my tshirt when she was sitting on me- they have faded somewhat with cream but are taking a long time to go away. So my question is do any of these symptoms sound like hiv? I have had on other symptoms such as lymph node enlargement etc- and have not been sick at all in the last year except for a cold that lasted a couple of days- thanks again for the good work that you do>>

[papa557]

thank you for your reassurances (and chilly willy) i will now try and move on from what was the biggest mistake of my life and try to give back-merry xmas and happy new year

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I went back and reviewed our earlier exchange and there has been nothing in the interval to change my opinion. Your exposure was a no risk exposure and testing was not needed from a medical perspective.  However, it is now apparent that despite my reassurances, this remains on your mind and for that reason, I agree with your decision to get tested.  The test will be negative and then you can stop worrying about HIV.  

None of the symptoms you described here are at all typical of H IV infection at any stage of infection.  The dizziness you noted could well be a manifestation of anxiety for sure.   As for the sensations on the back, again, not HIV; possibly anxiety  .  Whatever they are, that they come and go and that they have not gotten worse very much suggests that they are not something serious.

Hope this helps.  Your test will be negative. At that time it will be time for you to move on and forget this exposure that has been on your mind.  EWH

[chilly willy]

First off you had Condom Protected Sex , Congrats on that . You have no Risk .Condoms work and statistcally speaking the odds are the CSW didn,t have Hiv . Dont worry about it. But since you are and its been a Year since this exposure  I would have an Hiv test . Obviously it will be negative if this was your only Exposure . Everyone outside a munogamous relationship should have one Yearly . If I was you I would forget about it and move on . GoodLuck