[Question #11884] Symptoms

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11 months ago
Dear Doctor,
I am a 51 year old male from Belgium. 3 weeks ago I had brief unprotected vaginal intercourse with a woman from the same town. She is married, has 2 kids. The act did not last long as I did not want to finish. Afterwards I did not worry at all, as I thought it was almost a non-event. But 12 days later I developed some strange and worrying symptoms. I developed a sore throat with on and off headaches. I also had some rash in my neck, probably linked to my soar throat. I tested negative on Covid. In the following days I developed some other strange symptoms: Swollen lymph nodes in neck, elbow and knees. Itchy pimples/bumps on elbow and knees. I felt feverish, but my temperature never got over 37.5C. 7 days later the mild sore throat and headaches are still there. I am not really sick, but I am also not felling well either. 

I am requesting your opinion/guidance,
Robert 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
11 months ago
Welcome to the Forum.  Thanks for your questions.  Unless there is something I've missed, the encounter you describe sounds to be low risk.  HIV is relatively uncommon in women and fewer than 1 in 1000 exposures to untreated HIV infected person lead to transmission.  The symptoms you describe are typical of any number of "every day" viral infections.   They are not particularly suggestive of any STI.   If you are concerned about HIV, you could test at this time. If your symptoms are due to HIV, a test will be positive.  In addition, I would suggest that you contact your partner and mention that you are not feeling well and ask her how she feels.

I hope that these suggestions are helpful. If there are additional question or I have missed anything, please use your up to two follow-ups for clarification.  EWH
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