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AIDS Vancouver

Prevent. Act. Support.

Help! 17 Doctors later.

Original Post Date: 
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Question: 
 Hi there.  Exposure- I gave oral sex on a man (pre-cum entered my mouth, but spit it out- however we were drinking. I do remember this.) We had sex but used a condom and he never ejaculated. Symptoms-  8 days later- upper back muscle pain (I do workout alot but this was different. Can you explain muscle pain w/ ARS? Is it isolated or all over? I noticed a white looking (pimple like whitehead on my vagina. (is this ars related) 3 weeks later- 2 more bumps on vagina. Went to Dr. He said they are pimples or in-grown hairs. (ars related?) 4-8 weeks later I felt a bit tired, under weather and got a sore throat approx 6 weeks post exposure. I noticed my arm pits were dry and flakey? Any concern there? I noticed a little ance looking spot on my chest too?  More back pain & a slight joint discomfort in my right hand. I would wake up hot once a night/ not sweaty. I felt like a itty bitty lump was in my throat for weeks to follow. Perhaps anxiety? I know I have had it BIG time since exposure. I looked in back of mouth where tonsils used to be and there was a small bubble (may have always been there?) I went to 3 Dr.'s one said it was a salivary gland, the other said remaining piece from tonsil removal and the other said it was a cyst. Any concern there? I woke up a couple times with my arm feeling like it was a sleep and had to shake it to return to normal. (any concern?) I went to Dr about lymph node that has been there for months. It is a little over 1cm on my neck. (should I be concerned?) 4 months later- my tognue is a bit white, threw up a couple times and pronounced taste buds. I have been a nervous wreck. I have been to 17 doctors concerning all these symptoms and may have just dismissed them if it wasn't for this exposure. I have had 3 cbc's, wbc's, STD tests, thyroid, etc. I am as healthy as can be according to all these tests. I took an HIV anti-body test at 30 days, 113 days and the last one a little over 4 months. They all came back negative!  I asked the guy to test, he said he did and that it came back negative. I asked to see them and he would not get them from Dr. He is in a new relationship now and we don't talk. I have read the blogs over and over and I see that 3 months is conclusive. Can I relax? Are these symptoms worrisome?  One last question, I take herbs to regulate my hormones & hypothyroidism  I drink alkalaine water everyday, have been going through severe anxiety and stress over this! Can any of those factors affect my results? I am an extremely healthy person. Please let me know if my 4.25 negative HIV test is  enough? I went to a very up to date lab, I assume they have most modern tests. Thank you SO much for your time.  I NEED a personal e-mail w/ your 411 on this PLEASE!
Answer: 

 Hi there and thank you for using the AIDS Vancouver Helpline as your source of HIV/AIDS related information.
 
Giving oral sex without a condom and protected vaginal intercourse are both considered a low risk activity. Consistent and proper condom use remains the most effective form of protection in preventing the spread of STIs, including HIV, because if the condom did not fail or break, then there is really no way for HIV to get through the latex or polyurethane of the condom. However, even if the condom did break, the risk is still substantially less than unprotected sex.
 
I'm sorry to hear of all the symptoms you are experiencing. However, you can be rest assured that they are not due to HIV. A standard 3rd Generation test (ELISA) has a window period of 4 weeks to 3 months, with 95% of infections detectable within 4-6 weeks, and a 99.8% accuracy. Your negative HIV tests at both 113 days and 4 months are considered completely conclusive and accurate, provided you have not had any other exposures since then. As well, taking herbs and drinking alkaline water will not affect your results in any way.
 
I would try not to focus on the symptoms you are experiencing as being indicative of HIV. HIV symptoms mirror many other viral infections and can be explained by other things, which is why testing is the only way to know for sure. Since you have tested negative at both 113 days and 4 months, your symptoms are not due to HIV. If you continue to experience these symptoms, I would recommend a re-visit to a medical professional so they can be addressed, but you can be assured of your HIV status. In addition, if you are sexually active, or perform any behaviors that would be considered risky for the transmission of HIV or other STIs, we do recommend that you be tested regularly for HIV and other infections.
 
 
I hope this helps answer your question, and if you have any questions, please let us know.
 
Take care,
 
Stephanie
AIDS Vancouver Helpline Volunteer
604.696.4666, Monday-Friday 9am-4pm PST
helpline@aidsvancouver.org

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