Aa
HIV-type symptoms mirrored by wife...
I had unprotected sex with a sexually active woman while on a business trip 3.5 weeks ago. Since then I have had several ARS type symptoms such as sore throat, lymph swelling, headache behind the eyes, nausea, diarrhea, rashes on face, neck, and upper back and chest. The worst symptom was thrush... I got an anonymous email from the girl telling me to "get checked for STDs" I went in and was given Zithromax and Flagella as precautions--leading to a nice case of THRUSH in my mouth. The Dr told me that thrush after broad spectrum antibiotics isn't uncommon, but it's RARE. He said that thrush in adults is usually caused by HIV, not the anitbiotics. I just bought a rapid kit, but it's still posibly too early to get a positive result...if I/we am/are.
Week 1-- swollen glands on left side of neck for 24 hours, sore throat for 48 hours, diarrhea for 48 hours
Week 2-- thrush after antibiotics, muscle aches in neck and foot/leg cramps, slight fatigue
Week 3-- rash on sides of neck, upper chest and back and on sides of face--pimple like bumps and a few flat ones
Week 3-- fatigue 3 days straight. 1 hour after sleeping 8-9 hours feel as if I stayed up all night with no energy all day. Rash happened during this fatigue, but not sure if I had a fever. rash on neck started to clear after 48hrs, but then rash got worse on face and spread further. rash has been present 3 days now but seems to change areas and severity.
My wife has had all the symptoms above almost exactly 3-5 days after I had them and with similar severity except the thrush and her rash is on her forearms. We had sex 3 days after my encounter. I have not told her about the encounter and she thinks the antibiotics were for a UTI.
Is is possible that we are HIV infected?
How long does the ARS rash usually last?
Week 1-- swollen glands on left side of neck for 24 hours, sore throat for 48 hours, diarrhea for 48 hours
Week 2-- thrush after antibiotics, muscle aches in neck and foot/leg cramps, slight fatigue
Week 3-- rash on sides of neck, upper chest and back and on sides of face--pimple like bumps and a few flat ones
Week 3-- fatigue 3 days straight. 1 hour after sleeping 8-9 hours feel as if I stayed up all night with no energy all day. Rash happened during this fatigue, but not sure if I had a fever. rash on neck started to clear after 48hrs, but then rash got worse on face and spread further. rash has been present 3 days now but seems to change areas and severity.
My wife has had all the symptoms above almost exactly 3-5 days after I had them and with similar severity except the thrush and her rash is on her forearms. We had sex 3 days after my encounter. I have not told her about the encounter and she thinks the antibiotics were for a UTI.
Is is possible that we are HIV infected?
How long does the ARS rash usually last?
Yes...something surely doesn't add up at all. IF he tested positive for all of those viruses (which is RARE)....it wouldn't be from ONE unprotected sexual encounter.
Either a BIG part of the story is missing...or again, he is dealing with doctors that aren't experts in Infectious Diseases. The docs he was dealing with had tunnel vision and were only focused on HIV...and he had a neg test result to what? 10 weeks? Something isn't jiving here.
I would like to know at what point the HIV test showed a POS result (how long past the "exposure"), and what test confirmed it?
And, what is his viral load?
Either a BIG part of the story is missing...or again, he is dealing with doctors that aren't experts in Infectious Diseases. The docs he was dealing with had tunnel vision and were only focused on HIV...and he had a neg test result to what? 10 weeks? Something isn't jiving here.
I would like to know at what point the HIV test showed a POS result (how long past the "exposure"), and what test confirmed it?
And, what is his viral load?
really?
to add to teak's comment...are you a chronic iv drug abuser AND had sex with a woman from southwestern africa?????
hhhuuummmmmm...strange...yep...strange.
to add to teak's comment...are you a chronic iv drug abuser AND had sex with a woman from southwestern africa?????
hhhuuummmmmm...strange...yep...strange.
I have HIV 2 and Hepatitis B, C, and D. My liver has been swollen for 5 weeks straight to to point of extreme pain and severe fatigue, and I have had body rashes that are crazy and annoying.
The wife and kid are OK. The wife got Hep B but recovered. I went chronic with the Hep B due to the HIV 2 and I am coinfected with C and D. You can only get D if you have B.
Life *****...
The wife and kid are OK. The wife got Hep B but recovered. I went chronic with the Hep B due to the HIV 2 and I am coinfected with C and D. You can only get D if you have B.
Life *****...
I went back today and the results were inconclusive.
I tested pos for HepB but they believed that is because I had a partial immunization years ago. (I only got the first shot) They checked the surface antibodies and antigens to see if the antibodies I have are from current/past infection or immunization, but the results were inconclusive because of the antibody level present. They are afraid of HepB antivirals because of it's effects on my HIV testing and liver function.
I still have weeks until my 12 week HIV test...
My WBC count was higher (3000) but my liver enzymes JUMPED up since the week before. The doctor said she had discussed my case with 2 infectious disease specialists and they couldn't make a ruling based on my results.
She is torn on whether to send me to a GI doctor or Infectious Disease specialist because the GI will neglect future HIV tests and the ID will neglect the liver issue. She is letting the WC insurance decide where I go next unless the results of todays tests show my liver enzymes to be worse than today.
They drew more blood today and now I have to go in for a Vitamin B12 shot daily at the doctors request to help with the fatigue. I got the first one today. yippee...
I tested pos for HepB but they believed that is because I had a partial immunization years ago. (I only got the first shot) They checked the surface antibodies and antigens to see if the antibodies I have are from current/past infection or immunization, but the results were inconclusive because of the antibody level present. They are afraid of HepB antivirals because of it's effects on my HIV testing and liver function.
I still have weeks until my 12 week HIV test...
My WBC count was higher (3000) but my liver enzymes JUMPED up since the week before. The doctor said she had discussed my case with 2 infectious disease specialists and they couldn't make a ruling based on my results.
She is torn on whether to send me to a GI doctor or Infectious Disease specialist because the GI will neglect future HIV tests and the ID will neglect the liver issue. She is letting the WC insurance decide where I go next unless the results of todays tests show my liver enzymes to be worse than today.
They drew more blood today and now I have to go in for a Vitamin B12 shot daily at the doctors request to help with the fatigue. I got the first one today. yippee...
"I don't understand why you don't just go to a more knowledgable Doctor, maybe someone who is actually specialist in infectious diseases, such as, oh I don't know, an Infectious Disease doctor? "
--because that's all the workman's comp is paying for right now.
"Why is a biohazard exposure handling this? How on earth did you get to see him / her? If it's through work, what's to stop you going to your GP and getting a decent referral?"
--because I had a biological exposure 3 weeks before the unprotected sex incident at a medical lab. My GP is an internal medicine doctor. I was told by my manager not to get him involved unless I had to so that workman's comp would foot the bill and not think I was being treated already for something already because my GP was involved also.
--because that's all the workman's comp is paying for right now.
"Why is a biohazard exposure handling this? How on earth did you get to see him / her? If it's through work, what's to stop you going to your GP and getting a decent referral?"
--because I had a biological exposure 3 weeks before the unprotected sex incident at a medical lab. My GP is an internal medicine doctor. I was told by my manager not to get him involved unless I had to so that workman's comp would foot the bill and not think I was being treated already for something already because my GP was involved also.
I don't understand why you don't just go to a more knowledgable Doctor, maybe someone who is actually specialist in infectious diseases, such as, oh I don't know, an Infectious Disease doctor?
Why is a biohazard exposure handling this? How on earth did you get to see him / her? If it's through work, what's to stop you going to your GP and getting a decent referral?
Alternatively ask one of the Doctors on this site for some advice / clarification.
There are many things that can cause low white blood counts - from infectious processes to autoimmune disorders and beyond.
Are you sure that it is them who are so certain that you have caught it, or is it you? I understand your anxiety and predicament. The fact that your wife had exactly the same symtpoms would probably be more of a good sign in my opinion.
Has she been to the Doctor / tested?
Finally - maybe they are wearing masks because they think it is something else?
Why is a biohazard exposure handling this? How on earth did you get to see him / her? If it's through work, what's to stop you going to your GP and getting a decent referral?
Alternatively ask one of the Doctors on this site for some advice / clarification.
There are many things that can cause low white blood counts - from infectious processes to autoimmune disorders and beyond.
Are you sure that it is them who are so certain that you have caught it, or is it you? I understand your anxiety and predicament. The fact that your wife had exactly the same symtpoms would probably be more of a good sign in my opinion.
Has she been to the Doctor / tested?
Finally - maybe they are wearing masks because they think it is something else?
**They seem so determined that I am infected--to the point that the lab tech wears respiratory protection when drawing my blood**
Which even further cements my belief that you need to seek a second opinion as you are getting bad info. HIV is NEVER spread via droplets where resp protection would EVER be needed. These people are poorly educated, ignorant, or both.
Wait for your 12 week test.....that will be conclusive. Again..."delayed seroconversion" is a myth.
Which even further cements my belief that you need to seek a second opinion as you are getting bad info. HIV is NEVER spread via droplets where resp protection would EVER be needed. These people are poorly educated, ignorant, or both.
Wait for your 12 week test.....that will be conclusive. Again..."delayed seroconversion" is a myth.
You don't have a weak immune system that would prevent a 3 month test from being conclusive.
Teak:
They are telling me my immune system is weak because of a low white cell count. (less than 1000)
The tests they are running right now are looking for lymph cancers that could be causing low WBC counts and a weakened immune system.
They feel that my lowered WBC can cause me to take longer to seroconvert. It's almost as if they WANT me to test positive. They seem so determined that I am infected--to the point that the lab tech wears respiratory protection when drawing my blood. They have suggected and referred me to counseling--which I passed on for now since I have other means to blow off steam.
Arif83:
As stated above, the insurance company only pays for ELISA tests this far out from exposure. The incident at the time seemed minimal so my manager and I decided to not report it due to issues we have had with the lab I was in. They are anti-service personnel and an acciden report is a LOT of paperwork--causing more stress on our company's relationship with that lab. By the time I started having symptoms, it was too late for PEP. Now we are unsure if my symptoms are from my sexual encounter or the biological exposure.
I have 4 more weeks until my 12 week ELISA. I will find out later this week about the last batch of tests that were run.
They are telling me my immune system is weak because of a low white cell count. (less than 1000)
The tests they are running right now are looking for lymph cancers that could be causing low WBC counts and a weakened immune system.
They feel that my lowered WBC can cause me to take longer to seroconvert. It's almost as if they WANT me to test positive. They seem so determined that I am infected--to the point that the lab tech wears respiratory protection when drawing my blood. They have suggected and referred me to counseling--which I passed on for now since I have other means to blow off steam.
Arif83:
As stated above, the insurance company only pays for ELISA tests this far out from exposure. The incident at the time seemed minimal so my manager and I decided to not report it due to issues we have had with the lab I was in. They are anti-service personnel and an acciden report is a LOT of paperwork--causing more stress on our company's relationship with that lab. By the time I started having symptoms, it was too late for PEP. Now we are unsure if my symptoms are from my sexual encounter or the biological exposure.
I have 4 more weeks until my 12 week ELISA. I will find out later this week about the last batch of tests that were run.
Hi,
Having sex with unknown stranger did pose a serious HIV risk , No body should be saying that stranger is hiv +ve unless proven to the contrary by medical tests so should your status as well, I suggest you should get that stranger tested for the same. A 7 week CMIA Ab/Ag combo or DUO test should put most of your doubts to rest and a 12-13 week test Elissa should finally close your dilemma about your status, I guess as of now the odds are in your favor most cases get hiv + ve by know a very small miniscule at 3 months and lets not take exceptions bcoz of immune - dysfunctions or immuno suppressent drugs it make take longer than 6months to a year, only one case where seroconversion and detection was 2 years.BUT THATS ONE CASE FOR 6 BILLION HUMANS.You should have gone for PEP immediately rather than having sex again with your wife - i think with in 3 days chances of transmitting infections to your wife is abysmally low. CHECK FOR OTHER STDS THIS TIME THE ODDS ARE IN YOUR FAVOR IT NEED NOT BE THE CASE AGAIN DONT ENGAGE IN ANY OTHER SEXUAL ACTIVITY WITH YOUR SPOUSE (AND NO BODY ELSE AS WELL) I HOPE WITH A NEGATIVE HIV TEST AT 12-13 MONTHS YOU CAN PUT THE MATTER TO REST AND MOVE ON WITH LIFE AND UNLESS YOU ARE REALLY WANTING AIDS (VERY BADLY YOU CAN STRAY AGAIN).
Having sex with unknown stranger did pose a serious HIV risk , No body should be saying that stranger is hiv +ve unless proven to the contrary by medical tests so should your status as well, I suggest you should get that stranger tested for the same. A 7 week CMIA Ab/Ag combo or DUO test should put most of your doubts to rest and a 12-13 week test Elissa should finally close your dilemma about your status, I guess as of now the odds are in your favor most cases get hiv + ve by know a very small miniscule at 3 months and lets not take exceptions bcoz of immune - dysfunctions or immuno suppressent drugs it make take longer than 6months to a year, only one case where seroconversion and detection was 2 years.BUT THATS ONE CASE FOR 6 BILLION HUMANS.You should have gone for PEP immediately rather than having sex again with your wife - i think with in 3 days chances of transmitting infections to your wife is abysmally low. CHECK FOR OTHER STDS THIS TIME THE ODDS ARE IN YOUR FAVOR IT NEED NOT BE THE CASE AGAIN DONT ENGAGE IN ANY OTHER SEXUAL ACTIVITY WITH YOUR SPOUSE (AND NO BODY ELSE AS WELL) I HOPE WITH A NEGATIVE HIV TEST AT 12-13 MONTHS YOU CAN PUT THE MATTER TO REST AND MOVE ON WITH LIFE AND UNLESS YOU ARE REALLY WANTING AIDS (VERY BADLY YOU CAN STRAY AGAIN).
The idea of "delayed seroconvserion" is an urban myth...with the only rare exception being someone with terminal, advanced cancer, someone on aggressive chemo, someone taking anti-rejection meds post an organ transplant (a situation where one basically has NO immunosuppression).
I disagree completely with what the "professionals" thus far have told you. A 6 week negative is an excellent sign!
I disagree completely with what the "professionals" thus far have told you. A 6 week negative is an excellent sign!
What reasons is it that your doctor thinks you have a weakened immune system. Have you been treated for years with an immune disorder? You been hospitalized with an immune disorder?
The 6 week ELISA was negative.
...but my white blood cell count was less than 1000. (normal range is 4000-10,5000).
My liver and spleen are enlarged and I am still having several ARS type symptoms.
They have brawn 9 tubes of blood and tested me for everything from EBV, HVV6, Hepatitis A,B,C to kidney and liver disfunction. Everything comes back normal or negative. I have not gotten any results back from the last blood draw. I get those Thursday.
Based on my white blood cell count I have a very high viral load infection and they can't figure out what it is. I am dealing with a Workman's Comp doctor and they are avoiding the expensive HIV tests right now. They are making me wait 4 more weeks for another ELISA test since that's all the insurance will pay for.
The specialist I have been dealing with is a "biohazard exposure specialist" rathern than an actual HIV specialist as I was led to believe at first. They believe that my immune system has been so badly compromised either from the HIV virus or I have an underlying issue such as Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma that my seroconversion has been delayed and that I am having extended/recurring ARS symptoms because my immune system can't fight off the opportunistic infections. They keep telling me that my 12 week test will probably be the deciding factor for treatment. (they think it will be positive)
So, to sum it up: They think I have HIV, but are too cheap to do the expensive tests and they believe I have another issue that has delayed seroconversion.
...but my white blood cell count was less than 1000. (normal range is 4000-10,5000).
My liver and spleen are enlarged and I am still having several ARS type symptoms.
They have brawn 9 tubes of blood and tested me for everything from EBV, HVV6, Hepatitis A,B,C to kidney and liver disfunction. Everything comes back normal or negative. I have not gotten any results back from the last blood draw. I get those Thursday.
Based on my white blood cell count I have a very high viral load infection and they can't figure out what it is. I am dealing with a Workman's Comp doctor and they are avoiding the expensive HIV tests right now. They are making me wait 4 more weeks for another ELISA test since that's all the insurance will pay for.
The specialist I have been dealing with is a "biohazard exposure specialist" rathern than an actual HIV specialist as I was led to believe at first. They believe that my immune system has been so badly compromised either from the HIV virus or I have an underlying issue such as Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma that my seroconversion has been delayed and that I am having extended/recurring ARS symptoms because my immune system can't fight off the opportunistic infections. They keep telling me that my 12 week test will probably be the deciding factor for treatment. (they think it will be positive)
So, to sum it up: They think I have HIV, but are too cheap to do the expensive tests and they believe I have another issue that has delayed seroconversion.
You are correct, she is of unknown status...but she did send me a blunt email telling me to get tested for ALL STDs and has yet to respond to any of my emails and the phone number she gave me was a bogus one.
She obviously had something. She felt the need to tell me to get checked.
I have tested negative for all other STDs.
I may not have HIV, but I DO HAVE SOMETHING and the smptoms are very similar to ARS and early HIV infection such as persistent thrush, skin rashes on my face/neck/upper torso that keep me indoors, fatigue, headaches behind the eyes, the symptoms come and go. I also realise that these symptoms can be from other diseases/viruses, but my doctors can't rule out HIV yet due to my weakend immune system. They feel seroconversion is being delayed and my ARS is being extended at this point.
She obviously had something. She felt the need to tell me to get checked.
I have tested negative for all other STDs.
I may not have HIV, but I DO HAVE SOMETHING and the smptoms are very similar to ARS and early HIV infection such as persistent thrush, skin rashes on my face/neck/upper torso that keep me indoors, fatigue, headaches behind the eyes, the symptoms come and go. I also realise that these symptoms can be from other diseases/viruses, but my doctors can't rule out HIV yet due to my weakend immune system. They feel seroconversion is being delayed and my ARS is being extended at this point.
you had one exposure with a woman of unknown status
that's ALL you know for sure
that's it!
your chances of contracting HIV are *so* low
yes, you are experiencing *symptoms*
but guess what
the human mind is a very very very powerful thing
and it can manifest physical symptoms like you have *no* idea
you'll see
that was my experience here anyway
that's ALL you know for sure
that's it!
your chances of contracting HIV are *so* low
yes, you are experiencing *symptoms*
but guess what
the human mind is a very very very powerful thing
and it can manifest physical symptoms like you have *no* idea
you'll see
that was my experience here anyway
Vance,
No lab would give a deadline for negative test results. I've read so many posts on this and other sites from people waiting weeks for their tests, convincing themselves they were positive because of the delay.
No lab would give a deadline for negative test results. I've read so many posts on this and other sites from people waiting weeks for their tests, convincing themselves they were positive because of the delay.
I pray that your results are negative and that the lab is just backed up and that is why a call has not come yet.
Benzdude,
Why would a lab phone anyone at 7am in the morning?! As you said yourself, the results will be available in 72 hours. Contradictory information. Labs get busy, you know.
Don't talk yourself into thinking you've got HIV. No HIV Specialist (are you sure you actually saw a specialist?!) would say they would be "surprised" by negative results.
Being diabetic or having a liver or gallbladder problem won't affect your results. Nonsense.
Keep your chin up.
Why would a lab phone anyone at 7am in the morning?! As you said yourself, the results will be available in 72 hours. Contradictory information. Labs get busy, you know.
Don't talk yourself into thinking you've got HIV. No HIV Specialist (are you sure you actually saw a specialist?!) would say they would be "surprised" by negative results.
Being diabetic or having a liver or gallbladder problem won't affect your results. Nonsense.
Keep your chin up.
Sorry for the delay... I decided to stay away from internet forums and other HIV websites for a while to lower my anxiety level. The negative result at 4 weeks plus a break from the internet helped me a lot.
Yesterday was the day that I had my blood drawn for my company paid HIV/HEP test. I told the HIV specialist doctor all my symptoms and showed her several of my rashes along with my recurrent thrush. She did an examination and found that my liver and spleen are swollen by pressing on my abdomen and pressing under my ribs slightly on both sides--it was very incomfortabe. She told me she would be suprised if my HIV results were negative this time. I then went to my regular doctor again and he drew blood also and sent it to test for diabetes, liver disfunction, and several other tests.
I told them both about my homeaccess test result and they both told me that judging by my rashes and thrush, that HIV could have compromised my immune system enough to delay my antibody production. ...or my immune system was already compromised/suppressed due to the fact I may be diabetic or have a liver problem since my gallbladder surgery a year ago.
One set of results should be back within 72hrs (HIV/HEP) and the others in 7-10 days. The suspense is enough to drive a person crazy! I was told by the lab tech that drew my blood that if the HIV results were negative I would receive a call this morning at 7am. That time has come and gone... ...and if they were positive--they would have to do a WB test and that would take more time meaning I will get the call Thursday morning. I wish she had never told me that I could get a call this morning...
To all the others in similar situations: Hang in there, the odds are in your favor! If you have negative results at 4 or 6 weeks, you are almost 100% sure to be clear--so stop obsessing and accept your results for what they are!! (I may be one of the rare cases due to previous unknown conditions) If you are having anxiety issues, stay away from the internet and find someone knowledgeable you can trust to talk to. If you don't know anyone, there are 1-800 #s you can call to speak to a counselor for free and they can ease your mind. (All the rapid kits have free counseling sessions included regardless of your results)
Yesterday was the day that I had my blood drawn for my company paid HIV/HEP test. I told the HIV specialist doctor all my symptoms and showed her several of my rashes along with my recurrent thrush. She did an examination and found that my liver and spleen are swollen by pressing on my abdomen and pressing under my ribs slightly on both sides--it was very incomfortabe. She told me she would be suprised if my HIV results were negative this time. I then went to my regular doctor again and he drew blood also and sent it to test for diabetes, liver disfunction, and several other tests.
I told them both about my homeaccess test result and they both told me that judging by my rashes and thrush, that HIV could have compromised my immune system enough to delay my antibody production. ...or my immune system was already compromised/suppressed due to the fact I may be diabetic or have a liver problem since my gallbladder surgery a year ago.
One set of results should be back within 72hrs (HIV/HEP) and the others in 7-10 days. The suspense is enough to drive a person crazy! I was told by the lab tech that drew my blood that if the HIV results were negative I would receive a call this morning at 7am. That time has come and gone... ...and if they were positive--they would have to do a WB test and that would take more time meaning I will get the call Thursday morning. I wish she had never told me that I could get a call this morning...
To all the others in similar situations: Hang in there, the odds are in your favor! If you have negative results at 4 or 6 weeks, you are almost 100% sure to be clear--so stop obsessing and accept your results for what they are!! (I may be one of the rare cases due to previous unknown conditions) If you are having anxiety issues, stay away from the internet and find someone knowledgeable you can trust to talk to. If you don't know anyone, there are 1-800 #s you can call to speak to a counselor for free and they can ease your mind. (All the rapid kits have free counseling sessions included regardless of your results)
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