[Question #9285] HIV Symptoms
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34 months ago
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Hello
Almost 4 weeks ago I did something pretty stupid and met a guy I didn’t know who performed oral sex on me for several minutes. We also kissed a lot. I know from reading other posts it’s pretty low risk but not zero. Exactly 10 days after the event I developed what I thought was a sinus infection. Sore throat, congestion, ear pressure and a bad cough. Also felt pretty fatigued. I went to a doctor who thought it was sinus infection and they gave me an antibiotic and a steroid shot. That normally knocks it out. I’m going on now almost 3 weeks and still have the same symptoms and not much better. Worst of all I had sex with my girlfriend a week after the encounter with the guy and she has now developed very similar symptoms as me!! I’m concerned it may be hiv because I can’t get over this thing because maybe my immune system is down. I’m really scared that I may have it and may have given it to her. I did take an HIV PCR test exactly 14 days after the event and it was negative but I know it’s not a conclusive test or they may have not done it right. Should I take another test and if so when? Please help. Thanks
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
34 months ago
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Welcome to the Forum and thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to comment. I can assure you that your symptoms are not due to HIV. HIV is not transmitted by kissing or receipt of oral sex. There has never been a case of HIV proven to have been acquired from receipt of oral sex and I can assure you you will not be the first. In addition, your HIV PCR test result provides further evidence that you do not have HIV. When symptoms occur from recently acquired HIV, tests are always positive. The symptoms occur as a result of either the presence of the virus or the body's immune system fighting the virus and, as a result, if symptoms are present and HIV tests are negative, you can be confident the symptoms are not due to HIV.
For symptoms to occur about 10 days after an encounter of the sort you describe is a bit long from the incident to be related to the exposure you describe.
I hope this information is helpful. You have received a reply far soon than is typical as I happened to be on the site when your question appeared. Any follow ups will certainly take longer to get a response. EWH
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34 months ago
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Thank you Doctor Hook
Are symptoms like I and my girlfriend are experiencing similar to the acute hiv response? What are those typical symptoms? Should I do additional testing like a 4th generation test at either 4 or 6 weeks? Thanks
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
34 months ago
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Your symptoms are more likely to be related to a non-STI respiratory tract infection which you and your GF have shared, likely unrelated to the encounter you described above. The typical signs of recently acquired HIV are high fever (>102), severe sore throat, generalized muscle and joint aches. I see no need for further HIV testing related to the events you have described.
Please don't worry. EWH
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