Aa
Disturbing HIV symptoms and test results
Hi,
11 months ago I received a handjob from a guy that was very likely HIV+. Some anal fluids were present on his hand during the handjob. Ever since I experienced disturbing and persistent symptoms pointing to HIV: sore throat that went on for months, itchy skin that is not going away and chronic diarrhea. I have also tested positive for E. Coli in my stool. Apparently a strain that is commonly found in immunocompromised patients. I also have persistent neck pain on 1 side and chronic chills. So far my 4th gen and RNA HIV tests have been consistently negative after testing multiple times and well beyond the window period. However, my lymphocyte counts have been dropping don’t look good: CD4 580, CD8 571, CD4/CD8 1.01. CD57 count is also high.
Has anyone been in a similar boat? Could someone give me some advice? I really feel desperate.
Is an HIV DNA test worth it?
Thanks,
John
11 months ago I received a handjob from a guy that was very likely HIV+. Some anal fluids were present on his hand during the handjob. Ever since I experienced disturbing and persistent symptoms pointing to HIV: sore throat that went on for months, itchy skin that is not going away and chronic diarrhea. I have also tested positive for E. Coli in my stool. Apparently a strain that is commonly found in immunocompromised patients. I also have persistent neck pain on 1 side and chronic chills. So far my 4th gen and RNA HIV tests have been consistently negative after testing multiple times and well beyond the window period. However, my lymphocyte counts have been dropping don’t look good: CD4 580, CD8 571, CD4/CD8 1.01. CD57 count is also high.
Has anyone been in a similar boat? Could someone give me some advice? I really feel desperate.
Is an HIV DNA test worth it?
Thanks,
John
COMMUNITY LEADER
The only risks for HIV in adults are:
1) Having unprotected anal or vaginal sex, or
2) sharing intravenous needles with IV drug users.
There isn't any other situation that you can think of that would put you at risk for HIV. You cannot get HIV (or any STD) from someone's hands, or ANY objects or surfaces - EVEN IF the objects or hands have blood on them.
There is no "what if" that you can add to this event that would make it a risk for HIV - you had zero risk, you didn't need a test, and you definitely don't need any more tests. It is unsurprising that your tests have been negative since you had no exposure to HIV. Work with your doctors to find the non-HIV cause of your medical issues.
1) Having unprotected anal or vaginal sex, or
2) sharing intravenous needles with IV drug users.
There isn't any other situation that you can think of that would put you at risk for HIV. You cannot get HIV (or any STD) from someone's hands, or ANY objects or surfaces - EVEN IF the objects or hands have blood on them.
There is no "what if" that you can add to this event that would make it a risk for HIV - you had zero risk, you didn't need a test, and you definitely don't need any more tests. It is unsurprising that your tests have been negative since you had no exposure to HIV. Work with your doctors to find the non-HIV cause of your medical issues.
4 Comments
Thanks for response, that helps. I did, however, get HSV-2 from this particular event. So some transmission definitely occurred.
From THIS event? HSV isn't generally transmitted by hands or fluids, so you might have some questions for our herpes forums: https://www.medhelp.org/forums/Herpes/show/195, particularly if herpes wasn't diagnosed by swabbing sores on your penis.
In any case, HSV isn't strictly an STD. There is no possibility that you got HIV or any STDs from this event.
In any case, HSV isn't strictly an STD. There is no possibility that you got HIV or any STDs from this event.
I read elsewhere that HSV can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. I had 2 outbreaks over the past 11 months with clear sores and I am seropositive for HSV-2.
You should have an outbreak swabbed to be certain, but in any case, this forum only focuses on HIV, and you had no risk for HIV, no matter what.
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
