[Question #13914] HIV guidance

2 hours ago

Background:

I have had slight achey knees, shins and a dry chesty cough for the last 4 days. I have also been sleeping a lot and coughing up green mucus in the morning.

6 weeks ago I went on a date with a girl from an app and we deep kissed at the end of the night. I understand from the forum that without penetration of the vagina / anus / mouth with a penis, there is no risk at all for HIV.

My feeling is that I have since caught a cold or I am feeling the effect of the change of seasons. These symptoms started at least 37/38 days after the event, and my understanding from your replies is that ARS symptoms (if any) never take longer than 4 weeks to materialise.

Tonight’s event:

Perhaps I am just being a germaphobe based on my current illness.

Tonight I visited the restroom in my office and there were no paper towels. I saw the cleaners cart outside, where there was a towel. When I went to dry my hands on the towel, it was very damp. I bite my nails heavily to the point they can be sore and I expect the towel had been used to dry the restrooms.

Because of my cough, I have also been taking strepsils. I accidentally dropped one on the floor and put it in my pocket. Without thinking a few minutes later, I put it in my mouth.

Question:

You will probably think I am being silly, however I would appreciate if you can advise if I am all clear with HIV?

I have phoned my local GP and he said that this is a respiratory infection and nothing associated with HIV or STI’s. He has simply recommended rest, fluids and Panadol.

Thank you very much

Peter

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

42 minutes ago

Welcome to the forum. Thank you for your confidence in our services. Also thanks for reading other forum discussions of problems like your own.

As you learned already -- and maybe already knew -- kissing doesn't risk HIV. And in any case, in North America, Western Europe and most industrialized countries, HIV is rare in women without special risks like commercial sex without condoms, injection drug use, and so on. The chance your app date partner has HIV probably is zero or close to zero.

Your questions and comments include a mix of somewhat emotional concerns and more objective/intellectual ones. The latter are correct, not the former! I agree exactly with "...I have caught a cold or...change of seasons." Definitely not change of seasons, but almost certainly a garden variety upper respiratory infection. In other words, I agree with your GP. In addition to being at no risk for HIV, your symptoms don't fit with a new HIV infection. HIV doesn't cause cough or mucus production. (The "flu like" symptoms often said to accompany a new HIV infection only mean headache, muscle aching, and fever -- not cough, nasal congestion etc.)

Your other comments indeed suggest germophobia, or at least over-concern about bacteria and viruses. It is rare for anyone to catch any infection from contaminated items in toilets, towels, etc -- and biting your nails has no effect on this. That one of your throat lozenges was on the floor doesn't mean anything.

I don't advise anything beyond your GP's advice. Assuming no risks other than those described, you don't need testing for HIV or any other STI.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

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