[Question #10457] Confused about symptoms and results (maybe false negative)

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22 months ago
Dear Dr,went to a 60min Thai Massage in Dubai , I was fully naked (masseuse fully clothed) for 45 min but last 15 min masseuse just in panties. I never did any penetrative sex, just rubbing her tits with my oily hands and rubbing nipples with penis and ejaculated between her tits.After 23 days started to have fever and after 4 days small red pimples below my ears on the neck with soar throat and diareha. After 2 days rash dots started to appear on my hands, palms,legs and a macopapular rash on torso and back. No fever, no soar throat, no swollen lymph nodes after 1 week. Started to panic about HIV and had burning feeling in palms and feets at night for couple of days, also extra sensation in hands for touching hot things during the day, lost 4 kgs, white tougue and dry mouth. After 59 days from exposure I took HIV 4th generation and RNA PCR and CBC test in same day in a well known lab in Athens-Greece, both came negative, but CBC showed 13k WBC and high neutrophils whereas I didn't have any fever or sickness. I could only calm for 1 day and panic again why this high WBC and maybe the tests of HIV are wrong whereas the lab confirmed that 99.99% I don't have HIV. After 90 days I started having pruning fingertips in 2 hands as soon as I touch water just after 30 seconds in washing hands ( i usually have sweaty hands since long time but didn't have this pruning issue) forward until now (since 130 days from exposure) I feel  burning tongue from lemon and pepper food and uncomfort in mouth gum). Lately I have been having thighs pain since awake in bed in morning and also during the day I can't stay standing for long time, I feel tired and weak and anxious.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
22 months ago
Welcome to our Forum. Thanks for your questions.  I can assure you that the symptoms that you describe are not due to HIV.  Your testing at 59 days was done at a time when all tests for HIV are entirely conclusive and your were tested for HIV 3 different ways (the PCR looks for viral RNA, the 4th generation test tests for both HIV viral protein (the p24 antigen) and for antibodies.  When symptoms are due to HIV, tests for HIV are always positive.   Related to the encounter you describe, there is no reason for concern about HIV and no need for further testing for HIV- it is not possible for you to have HIV and to have these 3 tests all be negative.  

I do not know what caused your symptoms but I am confident that it was not an STI acquired during the encounter you describe.   There are no STIs which would cause these sorts of symptoms so long after the encounter.  Is your rash still present?  If so, you might see a dermatologist.  If the rash is better, you might see your regular doctor.  EWH
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22 months ago
Dear Dr., Rash disappeared after 10 days of onset. Unfortunately as you are basing your reply on the HIV tests done, my ID doctor as well but am really anxious about this specific rash and the timing at 23 days from exposure which I don’t think is late as symptoms of HIV unfortunately. Here pls some questions:
1-May nipples discharge or breast milk and infect the penis by rubbing?
2-Can a virus cause all these symptoms until today (140 days) like pruning fingertip skin and tongue burning other than HIV?
3- if I didn’t inform you about the tests done, would you have possible considered HIV or other viruses from the symptoms?
4- Can tests be wrong or missed the infection?
5- RNA was for HIV1, detection limit 200, can I have it below 200 or maybe HIV2?
6- can chronic 4 month anxiety cause this pruning fingertips and tongue issue and thighs pain? 


Pls advise me what shall I do?
Thank you for your time.




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Edward W. Hook M.D.
22 months ago
Thanks for the additional information.  Straight to your follow-up questions:

1-May nipples discharge or breast milk and infect the penis by rubbing?
None of the activities you describe are associated with any risk for HIV.  This includes contact with the nipples or breast milk of an infected person.  Similarly, if there is no penetration there is no risk for HIV or the most common STIs.

2-Can a virus cause all these symptoms until today (140 days) like pruning fingertip skin and tongue burning other than HIV?
No, these are not symptoms which are in any way suggestive of HIV.

3- if I didn’t inform you about the tests done, would you have possible considered HIV or other viruses from the symptoms?
No, I would consider the activities you described no risk activities.

4- Can tests be wrong or missed the infection?
No, not the three tests you had.  Please re-read my initial comments.

5- RNA was for HIV1, detection limit 200, can I have it below 200 or maybe HIV2?
No.

6- can chronic 4 month anxiety cause this pruning fingertips and tongue issue and thighs pain?
Yes it can.

Please don't worry.  EWH
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22 months ago
Thank you Dr., I have been living hell since almost 5 months with main concern that nipples might discharge or may have milk on top of penis where glands are there and if possible wounds are there. You confirmed it is no risk which is freaking me out. 

I could have moved on since 3 months after the negative lab results but these symptoms of burning tongue with sometimes white lines on tongue and hurting gum in mouth and daily googling for hours are ruining life and with stopping sex for 5 months. 

Still I don’t have the courage to repeat my HIV tests and my ID doctor said that he doesn’t want me to enter in this vicious circle of repeating tests, but but I should repeat it to put aside these 5 months of hell and move on since until now I’m not able to accept my negative results…

Hopefully will update you with negative results .

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Edward W. Hook M.D.
22 months ago
I am not sure why my statement that there is no risk from contact with nipple discharge or any other aspect of the encounter you describe.

I agree with your doctor- you are not at risk for HIV and the testing you have performed PROVES that you were not infected.

You need to accept your negative tests and move forward.

As you know, we provide up to three responses to each client's questions. This is my 3rd response. Therefore the thread will be closed shortly without further replies.  EWH
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