[Question #237] Hiv
106 months ago
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106 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
106 months ago
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Welcome to the Forum. I will try to help. The recurring penile rash that you describe certainly could be herpes although the only way to be sure is to have the rash tested, preferably with one of the increasingly widely available PCR tests that should be available through most labs. Not all herpes follows the classical pattern of recurring blisters and open sores and your history of recurring redness in a previously exposed genital area makes testing worthwhile. I am not confident that a blood test for herpes antibodies will be helpful for you since if you acquired herpes from receipt of oral sex, it would most likely be due to herpes virus type-1 which is commonly present in over half of people. Thus if you had a HSV antibody blood test, if your result showed antibodies to HSV-1, that would not necessarily mean that your recurring rash was due to HSV-1. On the other hand, if you were tested and your antibody test for HSV-2, the virus which most often cause genital herpes, this could explain your genital rash.
As to your other symptoms, each of them (sore nipple with subsequent scabbing, sunburn rash on both sides of your groin, tongue lesions, sneezing, etc.) could have easily been caused by an other process with each symptom you list being unrelated to the others. None of the exposures (receipt of oral sex, having your nipple nibbled on, masturbation, etc.) is associated with risk for acquiring HIV so, if these are your main exposures, HIV should not be a concern. Rather it is likely that these problems are unrelated to each other,or perhaps somehow related to your travel history. If getting an HIV test would make you feel more comfortable, there is no reason not to get one, they are accurate and if you have HIV, they would be positive. That said, there is nothing in the information you provide that makes me worried about HIV. Rather, my advice would be to see your regular doctor and explain the entirely of your concerns to him/her so that they can thoroughly evaluate you for other, non-STI problems.
I hope this comment helps. There in nothing in the history you provide that suggests a need for concern about STI, including HIV. EWH
106 months ago
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106 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
106 months ago
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No, I see no reason whatsoever for concern about HIV related to the exposures you describe.
There are many possible causes of a rash such as the one you describe- far and away the most common was is a fungal infection. This rash however is in no way suggestive of HIV. No change in my opinion or advice. EWH
106 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
106 months ago
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106 months ago
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106 months ago
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
106 months ago
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We are now beyond the three response guideline for exchanges on the Forum. This will be the final response and further questions will need to be asked as a new thread. I hope however you will not feel the need to ask these questions again. The additional descriptions of your discomfort in no way suggest HIV. Similarly, persistent penile burning of the sort you describe lasting more than a week or two in not going to be caused by herpes. I suggest you work with your doctor to look for other explanations. EWH
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