[Question #12903] Hiv concern

4 months ago

Dr thanks for answering this question, just over 9 years ago possible exposure from broken condom with sex club worker in holland exposure no longer than 2 seconds noticed and withdrew, the details are patchy due to intoxication but has quite a lot of symptoms since.

I realise my risk to be 1/1000 had multiple condom protected exposures through my life but am married and lead a different life now.

Started off about 5 to 6 months after the exposure got patchy rash on hands like petchiea itch and bumps came up sometimes this occurs from time to time still figure it was some form of dermatitis, have had some ingrown hairs turn to boils and ulcerate but had these before on stomach and groin mainly leg fold usually start around a hair suffered these before my exposure though.

Around 5 years on I got a chronic cough lasted about 2 years then disappeared, in this time period I suffered some back pain, and neck pain that's persisted over the years, last year I had some tests done for blood pressure had blood tests and live function and kidney function tests with bone profiles and inflammation markers tested all my bloods were normal.

Now we're in 2025 and I am having weird muscle pains in forearm and elbows and neck and back, along with night time nasal congestion and sometimes through the day but nothing serious just stuffy Ness.

Obviously Googleing these things leads me here to this question does this sound like late stage hiv, I've had covid twice in past two years and recovered both times fine from it other than covid I have been ill very little from colds or anything else for that matter.

We are approaching nearly 10 years since this incident do you think this is hiv

Edward W. Hook M.D.

4 months ago

Welcome to our Forum. Thanks for your questions and your implied confidence in our service. I'll be glad to comment.

Your experience with the internet is one that I'm all to familiar with. While the internet is a great means of communication is is, without a doubt the wrong thing to do when looking for information about your health. Unfortunately there is much misinformation to be found there, because it is a misinterpretation, taken out of context, our of date or just plain wrong. HIV infection rises to the top of the "list" inappropriately far too often. None of the symptoms you describe suggest HIV and there is virtually no possibility that you acquired HIV from your condom mishap so long ago. I'll add that your risk of infection would have been 1 in 1000 ONLY if your partner at the time had HIV and that is statistically unlikely- even in countries where HIV is common only about 10% of CSWs and in Holland 9 years ago the rate was far lower, approaching 1%.

Could you have HIV- I suppose but I would put the odds at closer to 1 in 100.000 no 1 in 1000. Personally, I would have no concerns but if your is you have any concerns, get tested. The test will be absolutely conclusive and I am confident that it will show that you were not infected. Please don't worry.. EWH

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4 months ago

The club did have a testing policy I would not of risked it otherwise, they said it was every 3 months. Just a quick final question would someone with hiv for 9 or more years probably be really ill by now?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

4 months ago

The average interval between acquistion of HIV and the onset of severe symptoms is 9-10 years. Please don't worry. EWH---

4 months ago

Is age a factor I am 50 this year and wondered if makes a difference to risk etc.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

4 months ago

We provide up to three responses to each clients questions. Thus, this will be my final response.

Age is not a factor here. I think you were worrying too much. If this is the case, my recommendation remains to get tested and put these concerns behind you once and for all. This thread is now complete. Take care. Please don’t worry. EWH.

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3 months ago

Doctor thanks for your help I recently took some antibiotics for a skin infection and now have a oral thrush infection I only took 3 days worth and my soft pallet is red raw and my throat hurts.

Does this change your assessment at all. I feel like it was a bit quick to get issues from the medicine.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

3 months ago

Your thrush is consistent with the antibiotics you took. No change in my assessment or advice.

The thread should have been closed previously. It will be now. There should be no need to return to the forum with continuing concerns. I encourage you to move forward. EWH

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