[Question #9813] Lingering Symptoms Causing Concern / Anxiety

28 months ago

Hi Dr, I foolishly felt to return after my last discussion w/ Dr Hook. He assessed that there was a “VERY VERY unlikely chance to have even exposed you to HIV” & stated the symptoms I described were very unlikely ARS due to the fact that they occurred under a week & in both encounters, “the absence of high fever which is a usual part ARS, further indicates the symptoms you described were not the ARS” (I have not had ANY fever ) Yet I have had lingering symptoms which began after 1st encounter into the 2nd encounter. 2+ months since last exposure 1/22/23. 2 weeks later on the week of 2/6/23 I developed what I believe was sore throat. I did engage in tongue kissing w/ a random woman on 2/4/23.

I imagined discussing this symptom w/ Dr. Hook on 2/13, that the issue was resolved. However, my throat which feels more of swollen tonsils/ glands than sore, continues to come and go. Reading severe throat as a possible HIV symptom has caused me great concern/anxiety. Can this be due to some other cause? Should I get tested for other sti’s such as syphilis / mono? Being though I have been sexually active protected /unprotected oral & protected vaginal w/ other women.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

28 months ago

Welcome back to the Forum although I'm sorry you felt the need. Your persistent throat discomfort remains very, very unlikely to be due to HIV or other STI. Clearly you remain anxious about the encounters you describe. Let me assure you once again that your exposure was very low risk and that the symptoms you describe are not suggestive of the ARS or any other STI. Further, your continuing throat discomfort and/or swollen tonsils in inconsistent with what we see with HIB. Have you been tested? If not ,I suggest you test, not because I have any concern that you have an infection but to prove to yourself that your symptoms are not due to HIV or other STIs. EWH---

28 months ago

Appreciate the response Doc and you’re correct. I should get tested to ease these worries.

Now I read on this forum that from the symptoms I been having feet / palm sweats, that lasted for weeks + rashy type of back & now persistent throat that these are in line with a potential syphilis infection and being though I engaged with women protected there is a chance because syphilis can be past through protected sex and obv unprotected oral. I’ve never been tested for it before so possible second stage. I also heard you mention syphilis as the great imitator. So I’m surprised you would conclude I probably wouldn’t have it. I’m also sorry I didn’t mention the potential back rash

Edward W. Hook M.D.

28 months ago

You seem convinced that the low risk encounters you describe put you at risk for relatively rare STIs- syphilis and HIV. I disagree. Sweaty palms and feet are not suggestive of syphilis and the rash of secondary syphilis typically occurs weeks after the encounter, not days. Condoms are highly protective against syphilis (as well as HIV) and while oral contact can result in syphilis transmission, it's quite rare. Since my assessment is not helping, I'd once again suggest that you test for syphilis as well as HIV- I'm confident the tests will be negative. If the symptoms you are worried about were due to either infection, the tests would certainly be positive.

Your questions suggest that you have been searching the internet for STIs that might explain your symptoms. I urge you not to do that. All too much of what is to be found there is misleading, either becuase it's taken out of context, it's out of date, or because it's just plain wrong. EWH

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