[Question #6918] Follow up #6891

64 months ago

Hello Doctors

Dr Hook really helped me the last time to calm my fears, unfortunately I am back again (I am sorry I’m ashamed).

It’s about HIV 2.

I am aware that the Combo can detect Antigen for HIV 1, so it’s safe to say that 6 weeks is enough.

I did read on the german testing guidelines RKI (like cdc/ fda)

That 6 weeks is enough, except for chemotherapies… or rare strains like HIV 2, 0…

This made me again uncomfortable.My blood count was totally normal except from my Ferritin is a lil low (as most times). So this again made me question my lymph nodes.

I had diarrhea the last days and even got some small herpes on my lips bc I am so worried & kinda feeling depressed. And I know my Risk was low.. But as we say in biology nothing is 100%..

I am this anxious bc I grew up very traditional, I was celibacy for almost 2 Years and now I try to start to build with someone, but I can not engage sex with him bc of my fear to infect him with HIV 2. (Thge guy I did oralsex on him goes often to West africa).

I am really sorry for bother you again, I can not really talk with someone about it and I have a hard time right now.

I appreciate you guys really & I am really sorry again!

Edward W. Hook M.D.

64 months ago

Welcome back to our forum although I must say I am sorry you continue to worry about it you’re virtually nonexistent risk for HIV (HIV-1 or HIV-2). For the past two years there have been fewer than 500 new cases of HIV detected in Switzerland each year, the vast majority of those cases have occurred amongst men who have sex with men, and very very few (too few to even report) occurred due to HIV-2. Finally, when persons acquire HIV-2, on average they begin to produce antibodies to this virus within two weeks of acquisition of infection. By the recommended 6 week time point, nearly all persons with HIV-2 have a positive fourth generation, combination HIV antigen/antibody test. Putting all of these facts together, you need to abandon your concerns about HIV of any sort including HIV-2.

As I have told you, it is quite normal for people to have detectable lymph nodes. When lymph nodes are present, only a tiny perfect proportion of them can be attributed to the presence of HIV infection. When persons have swollen lymph nodes to HIV infection their HIV tests are always positive. GiveN these facts, to continue to worry that your lymph nodes might be related to HIV has no medical or scientific basis.

Having seen your continuing concerns, I begin to worry about whether or not part of your concerns reflect some sort of guilt regarding the exposure which led you to concern. If, as I suspect,, this is the case, no amount of testing, worrying or other laboratory tests are going to be helpful.Instead, you need to address the basis of your guilt and anxiety. To address this, I suggest you strongly consider speaking with a counselor or mental health professional. Isay this out of concern for you, nothing more.

Please, I hope that my comments and suggestions are helpful to you. You need to find a way to move forth from your continuing and unwarranted concerns about HIV. EWE

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64 months ago

Thank you very much Dr. hook I really appreciate.

I went again at 74 days for a combo test and it was neg. I am happy!

Another question; I noticed in my inner labia area some small (very, very small) I would not say bumps, but they are kinda filled.

Could this be HSV 2?

I never had HSV 2 ever in my life. I googles the symtpoms and some are really similar with mine (nodes/ pain in legs/ feeling unwell..)

Since my hiv test is neg & my blood is all right.

They are not itchy at all..

My gyn is in holidays so I can not show her!

Thank you

64 months ago

Note befor I used a condom with this guy he did a lil frotting on my vagina with his penis*

64 months ago

No discharge at all.

Sorry for the double texting. I wanted to portrait everything right.

When I google the HSV 2 pic‘s it looks kinda different (bumps are bigger) But it could be that it is not really a real outbreak.

64 months ago

Inside of my bigger labia* sorry dr Hook for the spam.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

64 months ago

The lesions you describe do not sound at all like herpes. Furthermore, the lesions you describe appeared long after an initial outbreak of herpes would. When persons acquire herpes and develop lesions, the typical lesions of infection occur in less than 10 days.

You really need to stop your worry and stay off the internet. Further, once again, I strongly suggest that you consider speaking with a counselor or mental health professional. I say this out of concern for you, nothing more.

You have one more follow-up as part of this thread. After that, the thread will be closed and future questions will be deleted without comment and without return of your posting fee. I trust you can understand that you are worrying needlessly and need to move forward. EWH

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64 months ago

Thank you Dr. Hook. I will try my best to move on. I am really thankful for your help and yes I will speak with someone about my fears definitely.