[Question #4762] Petechiae and HIV
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80 months ago
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Hello again. Sorry to ask another question but I am still worrying about the petechiae that I continue to have in the palm of my hands. Just as a reminder, I had protected sex with a csw in Europe. I tested once more with Oraquick (in home) after my exchange with Dr. Hook and tested negative. So, I have tested negative with Oraquick 4 times after 3 months after the exposure. My exposure was in January of 2017. I was told that petechiae is not a symptom of HIV here. However, I read online that petechiae can be a symptom of thrombocytopenia (low platelets), which is a symptom of HIV. So after reading this, it had me very worried. I had petechiae at the top of my feet for about 2 months after exposure, but it left. However, I continue to have petechiae in the palms of my hands, which come and go. For instance, yesterday I didnt have any petechiae and today I woke up with some tiny red dots at the top of my right palm. Also, today I noticed that when squeezing the palms of my hands, a lot of tiny red dots appeared. I have never had these type of red dots before. I had a CBC last April because of this and everything came back normal, but i dont know if I do another CBC today it will be normal again. Can this issue be because of HIV?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
80 months ago
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Welcome back to the Forum. I happened to be on the Forum soon after your question arrived so you are getting my reply somewhat earlier than is typical.. Thanks for your confidence in our service but presuming that you are still asking about a contact that took place over six months ago, I think you will find that my answers have not changed. Your prior testing was conclusive. In answer to your specific questions:
Petechiae can be a sign of bone marrow failure in patients with far advanced HIV but not with recent infection. Some practitioners may mistake the rash of very early HIV with but that is not correct. Petechiae are a non-specific finding with multiple causes which include medicines, trauma, and other illnesses. You have ruled out the possibility of HIV long ago so you may wish to discuss the many causes of petechiae with your own doctor. In addition, my sincere advice would be to avoid the internet for information on your health. I would assure you that virtually anything is on "the list" of findings associated with HIV and in some instances might be a clue to lead to testing for HIV but in your case, you need to put your contact with the CSW months ago behind you. EWH
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80 months ago
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Thanks for your reply. I just found it odd that this issue started happening after my exposure with a CSW. I just have a few additional questions to clarify:
1.) Approximately how soon would HIV cause petechiae to show up?
2.) Is it possible for HIV to cause petechiae within the first year of infection?
3.) What do you mean by "far advanced HIV"?
4.) If I have a normal platelet count, is it still considered petechiae?
5.) Is it possible for the in-home Oraquick test to miss infection after testing negative 4 times after 3 months?
6.) How likely is it that I didnt have enough antibodies in the mouth for the Oraquick test to not be able to detect infection after 3 months?
7.) Have you ever had a case were a person acquires HIV by having protected sex?
8.) Do you think there will ever be a cure for HIV?
Thanks again for your response.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
80 months ago
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Petechiae are typically asymptomatic other than appearance. is it possible that you have only begun to notice these episodes since the exposure you are concerned about? As for your follow-up questions:
1.) Approximately how soon would HIV cause petechiae to show up?
On persons with advanced HIV, as I said before. Typically such things would not be manifest for years, ten or more on average.
2.) Is it possible for HIV to cause petechiae within the first year of infection?
Anything is possible. Is it likely, absolutely not.
3.) What do you mean by "far advanced HIV"?
see above- infection present for years.
4.) If I have a normal platelet count, is it still considered petechiae?
Proably but that would be detrined by your doctor. There are other red spots and rashes which can be mistaken for petechiae.
5.) Is it possible for the in-home Oraquick test to miss infection after testing negative 4 times after 3 months?
Extraordinarily unlikely.
6.) How likely is it that I didnt have enough antibodies in the mouth for the Oraquick test to not be able to detect infection after 3 months?
Extraordinarily unlikely.
7.) Have you ever had a case were a person acquires HIV by having protected sex?
No.
8.) Do you think there will ever be a cure for HIV?
This is a very high research priority which is years in the future. On the other hand, modern treatment has transformed what was previously a uniformly lethal infection to one which is readily managed with daily therapy. EWH
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80 months ago
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So the petechiae that I have been having has nothing to do with HIV? And I should stop worrying about HIV correct?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
80 months ago
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Correct, It is clear from your tests that you do not have HIV and there is no reason form anything you have said to continue to have any concern.
As you also know, as this is my 3rd reply to your questions, this will conclude this thread which will be closed later today. EWH
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