[Question #8325] Testing/symptoms 3 (final)

46 months ago

Follow up from 8080 and 8038

Hello doctors, this is the last time im reporting here regarding my situation. I listened to dr. Hook's advice and seeked professional help at National HIV/AIDS center.

Apart from helping me to accept that im HIV-free, they did a few more tests (>5 months post exp.)

- Quantification PCR-RNA (GeneXpert) - negative

- 4th gen Ag/Ab (CLIA/CMIA) - negative

- TPHA - negative

- Anti- HCV (CLIA/CMIA) - negative

- Im vaccinated against HBV

I've accepted the fact that im HIV and Syphillis free, but i cannot seem to find the cause of my symptoms.

Could any of the known STD's cause the symptoms I mentioned before + the following symptoms:

- occasional cervical lymphadenopaty

- bullae filled with clear fluid on fingers that appear without mechanical damage

- every little wound on hand seems to get badly infected and inflamed afterwards

- persistent acne on shoulders and neck

- vertical nail brown stripe on thumb

- leukoplakia on tongue sides and cheeks

- occasional loose stools

- hair loss from scalp (thinning)

- photosensitivity (hypergimentation patch after sunbathing that is present for 3 months)

- red eyes and occasional conjuctivitis ( i never had problems with my eyes before)

Thank You in Advance!

Edward W. Hook M.D.

46 months ago

Welcome back to the Forum. I’m pleased that you can now accept that you do not have HIV of any sort, nor hepatitis or Syphilis. This rules out any STI as the cause of the symptoms you describe. The symptoms you describe could possibly be manifestations of a systemic rheumatologist illness rather than an infection. Whether or not it is somehow related to your hereditary spherocytosis is, like the possibility of a rheumatologic diagnosis, is beyond my areas of expertise. My advice is to put your concerns about an STI or for that matter, other infections aside and to seek assessment with a good internist or a rheumatologist. EWH ---

46 months ago

Yes, it is exactly what my GP said, since i had two cases of RA in my family (one of them being very severe) and that my symptoms kind of point to lupus as the cause, for which im doing tests in few days.

Whatever it is, it arrived just at the right moment for me to suspect acute HIV being responsible for it. One should simply listen the advice from experts like you Dr. Hook and Dr. Handsfield and believe their test results.

I just wanted to make sure I'm not missing anything so i contacted you here again. And I thank You for all your help provided during these times. It was very useful!

To any worried soul reading this:

BELIEVE YOUR TEST RESULTS!

Edward W. Hook M.D.

46 months ago

Thanks for letting me know of your own physician's recommendations. Your family history just strengthens my recommendation. Coincidences happen. Please put any concerns about STI/HIV behind you. I wish you the best. Take care. EWH---

45 months ago

One more question im curious about:

IF my symptoms are due to disseminated gonorrhea, would urine analysis and throat swab detect it?

Edward W. Hook M.D.

45 months ago

As you know, this will be the final response:

The symptoms you describe do not suggest disseminated gonorrhea.

When it occurs, tests for gonorrhea can be positive from any potential site that infection might have been acquired from. Thus a urinalysis or throat swab might not detect the infection. That said, there is just no reason for concern about DGI in your situation. Please do your best to move forward and not perseverate on these concerns. EWH

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