[Question #12055] Symptoms
10 months ago
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About 5 weeks ago I had sex with a commercial sex worker. It was protected condom sex and oral. However, im not sure how she removed it as it was her who removed it. I'm extremely worried as I started experiencing many symptoms after the exposure. Immediately 2 days after I had extreme itchiness on my penis and pubic area. My pubic area also was red, the redness did go away in a week . I also developed a non-raised flat lesion that is reddish/brown on my shaft. Does not look like herpes and I did not have a blister like outbreak. I started having trouble sleeping, for the past 4 weeks I been waking up every 2-3 hours. I have night sweats. I got a canker sore outbreak. I also got erectile dysfunction, penis nerve pain, less blood flow to penis, change in semen consistency ( it became gel like and clumpy, less mobile and liquid). Decrease in vision/ focus. My heart beat is also louder than before, and I feel as if my chest is heavy and I have difficulty breathing sometimes. I tested negative at 25 days for all stds, including 4th gen hiv. But I am still experiencing all of these symptoms.
I am worried it is HIV as I am having a lot of immune system related symptoms.
What does this point to? What do you think I should do? What STD causes these symptoms?
Thank you for your advice and support.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
10 months ago
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Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
You're overthinking all this. That you had condom protected sex is the important part. All the rest (how it was applied and removed etc) make snow difference. And contrary to what you might think, and from misleading information online, symptoms almost never are useful in judging possible HIV infection. Even with typical symptoms of a new HIV infection (and your symptom are not at all typical!), the vast majority of persons with these symptoms are not infected. And most new HIV infections don't cause symptoms anyway. Therefore, symptoms basically are useless! Only test results are useful -- plus the exposure history, which in your case was basically zero.
In addition, it is not possible to have HIV symptoms with a negative blood test. That is, your negative result at 25 days is proof your symptoms are not due to HIV, and is nearly 95% reliable you don't have HIV at all. For conclusive proof, you need another test 6 weeks after the event. Your symptoms do not suggest immune deficiency at all, and no STD causes such symptoms. Many if not all your symptoms sound like the physical manifestations of anxiety, or magnified minor symptoms due to anxiety -- and not any infection from the sexual exposure.
Have another HIV test -- specially an antigen-antibody test (AgAb test, i.e. 4th generation) -- 6 weeks after the sexual exposure. It will be negative. You do not have HIV.
I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.
HHH, MD
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10 months ago
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Yes I appreciate your response. But I developed a lesion after sex. It’s also itchy and my sensation is different. These are all physical symptoms. You don’t think this points to any possible std?
I’m saying these are all immune system symptoms as it’s affecting my sleep and well being.
I only started experiencing these things after this specific sexual encounter.
All these other many times I’ve engaged in intercourse I have not experienced this.
What do you think I should do to feel normal again?
10 months ago
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My main concerns is itchiness, penis pain and constant waking up as I can’t sleep, all of this is definitely affecting my quality of life. Thank you let me know what you think, and what my next steps should be
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
10 months ago
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Almost certainly some sort of physical irritation caused the itching, redness, etc. There simply are no STDs that cause any such symptoms. I have no doubt they are from the sexual encounter -- maybe from a lubricant, a perfume used by your partner, or something similar. But not an STD, and certainly not HIV. Beyond that, I cannot be certain -- but if your symptoms continue, to "feel normal again" see a doctor to assure no ongoing problem. But I have to say that most of the time such symptoms are anxiety-related ("psychosomatic" to use an outdated term). For sure you have neither HIV nor any other STD. ---
10 months ago
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My change in semen, unable to stay asleep waking up every few hours, night sweats, penis pain( it is like a numbing pain, my penis feels numb) / itchiness and a feeling in my Gut isn’t a concern of std for you? And HIV causes these symptoms or not from what you seen at all?
10 months ago
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Hello Doctor, thank you for your patience. I highly appreciate your advice and service you and your team here provide.
I am also having a louder heartbeat and difficulty breathing/ heavy chest. What could this be the cause of? I know all of this is definitely related to the sexual encounter i had.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
10 months ago
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None of these symptoms suggest any STD; there simply is no STD or other infection that causes such things. These are absolutely classical descriptions of the physical manifestations of anxiety, which can greatly magnify trivial symptoms or even normal body sensations that otherwise would not be bothersome and perhaps not even noticed. This does NOT mean the symptoms are not real or are "in your head". They are truly physical symptoms, but still psychological in origin. See a doctor if they continue and/or you remain concerned, but you can be sure they are not from any infection of any kind and are unrelated to the sexual exposure described, except through an emotional/psychological connection.
That completes the two follow-up comments and replies included with each question and so ends this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.
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