Do my symptoms sound like related to advanced hiv? If they do does this mean I might have advanced hiv that is developing into AIDs? What are the odds of catching HIV from the exposures I mentioned. What that the key symptos of advanced hiv 3-4 years after infection. Usually what is the timeframe for someone who is infected to progress into aids if not having treatment?

Do see reason to test urgently? I usually test every 2-3 years but have not done so due to fear of catching covid in hospitals (pretty common where i am from). 

Thanks.

I reviewed your two discussions 4-5 years ago with Dr. Hook. Both from those discussions and your description now, there is no significant chance you have been exposed to or infected with HIV. Nobody can say you are at zero risk, but HIV would be exceeddingly unlikely in anyone with this sexual history. As for your symptoms, the answer is no:  they are not at all suggestive of HIV, either recent or advanced.

The symptoms of advanced HIV are not caused by HIV itself, but by "opportunistic" infections and cancers that result from a very damaged immune system. The time frame could fit, since such immunodeficiency can occur anywhere from a year to 20 years after infection. But that really doesn't mean very much:  the symptoms themselves simply don't fit any of the opportunistic illnesses caused by HIV. And you also don't mention any of the other symptoms that go along with HIV related immunodeficiency, like weight loss, poor appetite, and so on.

During one of your previous discussions, Dr. Hook advised that HIV testing was not medically necessary based on your exposures or symptoms, but that you might want to be tested from time to time for reassurance. It sounds like you have done that, and you can rely on your previous negative results. However, given your current concerns, it makes sense for you to be tested again. But the urgency with which you do so is up to you. Most likely few if any patients have acquired coronavirus in hospitals or clinics recently, at least not if they took the standard precautions while there. I'm sure you'll find all staff are appropriately masked, and if you also are masked and practice appropriate social distancing, I'm sure you can be tested with little or no risk of acquiring COVID. And if you are vaccinated, so much the better and the risk will be very low. And of course there are several home self tests for HIV that you can order online, requiring no contact with another person. But even without HIV testing, I really do not think you should be concerned about having it.

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

HHH, MD