[Question #10339] Does HIV cause loss of appetite?

23 months ago

Although i felt some sense of relief that i dont have hiv since my last question I am still a little bit anxious for some reason,, could this be the reason for my loss of appetite ? I ve read somewhere that hiv cauese loss of appetite is that true ? , it would be a relief if it actually didn’t and it will help with my anxiety,, Note that I dont and didn’t have any symptoms of any sickness I feel healthy and I didn’t have in any sexual activity since the last one the one that i asked the questions about (three months ago) and I tested and was negative

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

23 months ago

Of course HIV can cause loss of appetite. So can any illness of any kind; or, as in your case, stress, anxiety or other psychological problems. Your negative HIV test rules out any possibility you are infected. No matter what symptoms you have now or in the future, HIV is not a possible cause (assuming no new exposure). I can add nothing that wasn't discussed in your previous three threads; I suggest you go back and read them again.

The forum does not permit repeated questions on the same topic or exposure. This being your third about the exposure on your mind and your HIV test results, with identical opinions and advice each time, it must be your last. Future new questions on these topics will not receive even this much reply, but will be deleted without comment and without refund of the posting fee. This policy is based on compassion, not criticism, and is designed to reduce temptations to keep paying for questions already answered or when the answers are obvious. In addition, our experience is that continued answers to anxiety-driven questions simply prolong those anxieties, when a better option is usually to seek professional counseling. Finally, such questions have little educational value for other users, one of the forum's main purposes. Thank you for your understanding.

HHH, MD

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23 months ago

I understand dr and sorry for bothering you i just can’t seem to move on with the negative results,, can you give advice on how to forget and move on with my life and forget this time of my life and that there is a possibility of having it to lower my anxiety?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

23 months ago

That you "can't seem to move on" is a psychological problem, which is not our expertise. Clearly there is an underlying mental health issue here; it simply is not normal to continue to be so anxious in view of the repeated, reasoned, science based advice you have had -- maybe from your own doctor as well as this forum. As suggested briefly above, the best I can advise is professional counseling. I suggest it from compassion, not criticism. I'm sorry, but there is nothing more this forum can do for you.

Best wishes and stay safe.

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