[Question #9870] Follow up on Question 9784 with new symptoms and risk assessment

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28 months ago
Hi Doctors, I'm back on the forums to just ask for one last assessment. Sorry if I sound like a broken record but I figured my symptoms follow the same pattern as many on this forum so I'll try and make my process at least useful for others who may be in my position. I have chosen to go for the test as I'm travelling and will take a test in Europe in a week as it is the safest option in case things go bad, at least that's my thinking as my anxiety comes and goes. It goes mostly when I read this forum. I am very thankful this forum exists and I do apologize because my brain is getting the better of me and it may be all anxiety related. So my question is what kind of tests I need to take? and if the last set of symptoms listed below changes the original assessment or is an added risk ? To recap with new information:

Pre-existing conditions : dry and sensitive skin overall.

Timeline
Feb 17- March: Protected exposure with csw, symptoms and treatment, the details of which were already in the first question. 

March 15 - Sore throat + nasal drip still persisted, decided it wasn't serious, but after some time, it didn't let up and dry skin started appearing in very small patches across my right palm.

Apr 1 - Second doctor visit, blood tests taken. WBC count was 11,000. Sore throat was deemed to be a bacterial infection. Anti-Biotics and histamine was given.

Apr 14 - Sore throat was gone but nasal drip still remains, and now white tongue, white spots on skin tingling sensation in the back including a pinching nerve in the neck area, a burning sensation radiates across the mouth, and dry mouth. Seeing as this is a pattern, is this anxiety driven ?

It's crazy how the mind turns your body against you. So doctors, has your opinion changed ? Can I expect a negative result?
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28 months ago
I also read that antihistamines can cause some of the dry mouth, white tongue and other burning sensations. Is this a myth or am I just hyperfocusing or scanning for symptoms at this point ? Sorry for the double question, Doctors, there was a formatting errror on my end. 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
28 months ago
Welcome back to the Forum.  I'm sorry you felt the need but I understand that on occasion following activities that one comes to , in retrospect, regret.  On this occasion I happened to be assigned your questions so you will have both of our assessments, not that they have ever varied.  I did review your earlier interaction with Dr. Handsfield and agree with all that he said, including when you asked ""...anything I needed to do or look out for"? No, nothing. "  That remains the case.

Your persistent symptoms are not due to HIV or any other STI.  Your white tongue may be normal variation or could be due to thrush ( a candida infection related to antibiotic related overgrowth of this normal oral fungus).  The neck/back sensations may reflect tension or anxiety but do not suggest HIV or any other STI.  Your dry mouth is, similarly, a non-issue.  Antihistamines can cause a dry mouth can anxiety.

My advice is to not worry and move forward.  There is no reason to test or to be concerned.  EWH


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28 months ago
Once again, thanks for the reassurance Doctor Hook and apologies for the late reply. I was a bit calmer as well when Dr. Handsfield gave his advice in the previous thread and it's just that this one symptom of nasal drip, the ocassional headache of the sinuses and sore throat haven't gone away and this led me to come back to the forums. Mainly because of the misinformation around persistent throat aches and HIV.

I will now consult with an ENT to see what's really causing it because I haven't been mildly ill this long and the anxiety and guilt of it all makes my mind want to correlate to the exposure event. 

If it's alright with you, can this thread be kept open so I can come back with the results from the ENT as my last follow up ? 

I'm not expecting any surprises but I figured I might as well tell you what the specialist said. 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
28 months ago
I’m glad you have appreciated that your anxiety is getting the best of you. Neither nasal drip not persisting sore throat are signs of HIV or any other STI and headaches which come and go suggest other causes such as tension or anxiety. Seeing an ENT is a fine idea. I will keep the thread open for up to 30 days so that you can report back. In the meanwhile, please don’t worry. EWH.---
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28 months ago
Hello Doctor, 
The ENT diagnosed me with silent reflux as the cause for the persistent nasal drip, sore throat and dry mouth. I suspect a combination of medicines + anxiety are what led me down this road. 

I have also completed the Abbot 3rd gen HIV 1/2 3rd gen HCV and Syphilis 3.0 blood tests during my travel and I know you're going to say you told me so like you did so many others on this forum and you were right on the money. Negative for all, post 55 days after potential exposure. 

This has been a huge weight lifted. Is there a donation link for ASHA you can refer me to ? The work all of you do has helped so many across the world so I want to do my part to make sure it keeps going on. 

With the closing of this thread, you have my gratitude, my thanks and I'll continue to refer many others to the forum, if I find they are in the same position as me.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
28 months ago
Thanks for your thanks and for your follow-up information which I know will be helpful to others.  I'm pleased to hear that you'll be moving forward.  Take care.  EWH---