Hello.
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com.
I have gone through your history and really appreciate the detail and clarity.
Your symptoms of recurrent genital yeast infection and the eye infection in the past, the present sore throat as well the flu in between, do not really mean that you have HIV. Your history is no different from most normal individuals without HIV.
Genital yeast infections can be recurring given the local factors. More so in obese and uncircumcised individuals or Diabetics.
- Have you been tested for Diabetes?
Your present illness, the sore throat and excessive tiredness indicate a common viral infection. Since you said you have a bit of mucus, there might be a sinus involvement, especially if you have a headache/ head pressure/ facial pain/ nasal congestion. Mucus from the congested sinuses can cause a post-nasal drip leading to throat irritation. Lymph nodes can also be enlarged. This can persist for 1-2 weeks but will eventually resolve on its own.
Now coming to your main concern, unprotected intercourse does carry a risk of acquiring HIV but that does not mean you have it. None of your symptoms are specific of HIV. Furthermore, routine STD panels almost always include HIV testing. Even though you do not remember, its likely that you have been tested and found negative.
In summary, you do not seem to have HIV. The only sure shot way of resting your fears is to get yourself tested now. You can take a 4th generation combined antigen-antibody test which is highly sensitive with an ability to detect HIV as early as 3 weeks post-exposure.
If your last exposure was longer than 6 weeks ago, you can even take the older EIA (antibody) test. A negative test is conclusive and means you do not have HIV.
In addition to that, I would also advise you to carry out measures such as warm saline gargling and lozenges for the sore throat. Please also carry out steam inhalation in order to relieve the nasal and sinus congestion.
An OTC Ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin) 400 mg, twice a day after food, for 3 days will reduce the inflammation and help with throat discomfort.
I hope this was helpful. Feel free to ask queries.
Regards.
PS: I was unable to view your CBC reports. WBCs doubling at any point of time only indicates a healthy immune system capable of responding to immune challenges. These could be either from asymptomatic infections or even a symptomatic infection you could have had at that time. Nothing to worry about. If you want me to still have a look at the reports, kindly upload them in the follow-up or email them to [email protected]. Thank you.
Patient replied :
Thank for the reply, that makes me feel better... of course I should probably just get tested this week to get it out of the way even though it doesn't seem like I have it to you. I've attached the CBC I had in 2013 which has a WBC of 8.1 k/uL (contrasting with my 4.3 k/uL in 2008). I guess that's good given that the standard range is 4.0 - 11.0 k/uL?
I'll check back in if this virus gets worse but I'm planning on kicking it's butt here soon hopefully... thanks again.
Hello.
Yes, a value of 8.1 is perfectly normal. Like I said earlier, WBC levels are dynamic, rising and falling in response to everyday challenges from pathogens, most of which are without any symptoms. You do not have to worry about it.
And yes, do go ahead and get tested as soon as possible for your peace of mind.
Feel free to get back at your convenience.
Thank you.
Patient replied :
FYI - I was tested today for HIV and it came out negative :)
Thanks for keeping me mellow beforehand!
Hello.
Good to hear that!
Do take care and avoid risky exposures in the future.
Thank you.