Join Our Community!
Share
Conditions and Diseases > HIV and AIDS Forum > Experiencing many symptoms of HIV
Do you know what causes HIV? Get started by learning the facts on HIV and AIDS here....
Can you identify early HIV symptoms. Learn what to look for and when to seek medical help as we review symptoms of HIV here....
Avatar
Q: Experiencing many symptoms of HIV
asked by: jamescullen on June 10th, 2009
New User
A little over one week ago, I performed oral sex (unprotected, brief) on a woman, and had oral sex (protected) performed on me. We also had intercourse (protected, heavily lubricated). When I pulled off the condom, it appeared intact, but I did not blow on it or fill it with water to see if it had broken. We kissed a bit, and I noticed the ever-slight taste of blood on her lip. I stopped kissing her at that point. Foolishly, I neglected to ask her if she was STD-free. There's no excuse for my stupidity. I've tried to contact her since but she is unresponsive.

Over the next few days, I began developing some strange symptoms. First, I began feeling strange aches at certain joints and all over my body. They were not painful, per se, but they were dull, and felt like nothing I've felt before. It is best described as a dull ache sometimes affecting my toes, sometimes my ankle/leg, occasionally my arms/wrists/fingers, and also my back. Sometimes it felt tingly (like pins/needles), but that was rare. I have also started having mild headaches, which I do not usually get.

Second, I developed a sore throat and a bit of a dry cough. The cough is not at all severe, and the sore throat is very mild, but noticeable. I also began feeling a bit hot, but I have not had anything close to a fever.

Third, I am feeling mild pains in my abdomen - a bit achey, but again, nothing severe. Today, about 8 days after the incident, I feel like I have a really bad taste in my mouth. My appetite is also going down a bit, as I woke up not hungry for the first time in ages.

I am absolutely panicking at this point, and am pretty convinced I've somehow contracted HIV. Though the woman I was with was definitely a "high-risk" person (I know she has been with very many people), I really didn't think there was anything but a negligible risk given that (1) she provided me with a condom, and (2) the only "unprotected" sexual activity was me going down on her.

I guess my question is what can I plausibly do? It's too late for PEP treatment, and too early for definitive testing (though I have read Viral Load/NAAT testing is conclusive after two weeks). I am currently uninsured and the only option I have for information is the internet -- which by all measures suggests my symptoms are of acute HIV infection (AHI).
Did you find this post useful?
|
Replies(1)
User Profile
homerx
replied on June 12th, 2009
Moderator
You wait 6 weeks after possible exposure and then get tested..thats all you can do..that and relax and dont stress over it.Its done.Now you have to be proactive and keep your head up.
Did you find this post useful?
|
Quick Reply
Search