[Question #9278] Lingering Symptoms
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34 months ago
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Hello,
I am back again and wanted to follow up on previous questions I have asked. I continue to have muscle weakness and now have more symptoms related to headaches and eye pain. Since my previous question, I have taken 2 Oraquick at home mouth swab tests which were both negative, how conclusive are those results? If I understand correctly majority of the false negatives occur due to testing to soon? I am at 3 + years post exposure can I view that test as conclusive? I read that dr handsfiled stated that up to 5% of people will always test negative regardless of whether they are infected what drives that result? For background I had a handjob from a stripper 3 years ago, majority of lubrication was saliva however she did touch her vaginal opening a few times to use her fluid as lubrication touching near my urethral opening. I took the standard std panel a month after and was clear and received preemptive treatment (2 pills and shot in butt) for bacterial Stis I know there is only theoretical risk, but do we have any type of estimates on probability of transmission of hiv, as that is my main concern? Additionally I have had what seems to be chronic epidymytis, that i have seen a urologist about, my urine sample is clean, however it is pretty consistent aching over the course of the years. I have also gotten a testicular ultrasound and nothing suspicious showed up. Every time I try to move passes this my health deteriorates and I’m left with the feeling that the all ties back to my indiscretion years ago. Any advice on how to move forward? Is your view that I am free of stis and that my health issues are likely driven by something entirely unrelated to my experience 3 years ago? Thank yo for your help
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
34 months ago
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Welcome back to the Forum although I'm sorry you felt the need. I read your earlier interaction with Dr. Handsfield and agree entirely with the information he provided. Your continued symptoms are not due to HIV, of this I am quite certain. As Dr. Handsfield told you, there has never been a case of HIV transmitted though the sort of exposure you describe and you are not going to be the first. You are correct that a very small proportion of persons who acquire HIV have negative Oraquick tests but this occurs most often with recently acquired infections (before 8 weeks). You need to put your unwarranted fear of HIV and other STIs related to your no risk exposure behind you. At this time, given your challenges in doing so, I would suggest that you seek the advice of a professional counselor. further testing, like continuing concern, is just not warranted.
EWH
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34 months ago
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Thank you doctor and I am a very rationale person and generally would have been fine to move past this but my symptoms are pretty troubling and given I’ve been in good health my whole life,the only thing I’ve done different is this moment of indiscretion. Additionally, as mentioned before to dr handsfield, when I was very sick and admitted to emergency room I had a red blotchy rash about the size of a nickel that was localized just to my penis head. The rash resolved in 3 days it wasn’t painful at all and the skin peeled off like when recovering from sunburn. So while I try to live past this I would have no idea why I would get a penis rash during a bout of muscle weakness. While I am aware of hand to genital having little Sti risk, if theoretically there was a chance of acquisition is hiv one of the least likely stis? Absent of any ulcers I should also rule out herpes? Do you have probability of sti transmission (apologies as numbers tend to calm my anxiety) 1/10,000 or even less than that? This will be my last question and thank
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
34 months ago
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I’m not arguing that your symptoms are not real however there is NO reason to think they result from an STI, including HIV, acquired from your virtually no risk exposure. Your testing proves this. Believe the science and look for what is really causing your symptoms. Your probability is less than one in a million. EWH ---
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34 months ago
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So 2 negative Oraquick tests at 3+ years after exposure are conclusive? I had read that 1 of 12 results give a false negative, but don’t know if that is directly related to testing too early post exposure. Are the Oraquick tests just as relatable as the other tests once you past the window period? Thank you
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
34 months ago
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HIV antibodies in oral specimens tend to be slightly lower than in the blood and saliva is a somewhat more challenging specimen to work with. As a result, the false negative result rate with Oraquick is slightly higher than with tests performed on blood. The likelihood of having a false negative is still lower the longer out one is from exposure And with multiple negative tests. When you consider these facts along with the fact that the exposure you described was a no risk event, you can be confident of your results. If you’re not, get a blood test - it too will be negative. You need to figure out how to move forward from your persistent, unwarranted concerns.
The answers are not going to change to repetitive, anxiety driven questions. As a result I must warn you that should you post again on this topic and the exposure you have described your question may be deleted without a response and without return of your posting fee. I hope you understand that this policy is the result of concern, nothing more. Please do your best to move on. EWH
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