Resolved question:
I'm a 26 y/o male.
I had unprotected sex with a few female partners about 8-9 years old patientago, and just a couple in the last 4 years... after one encounter 8 years old patientago I got a bad yeast infection that recurred regularly for years, and only fully went away in the last 3 years old patientor so (it progressively got less and less intense as the infections recurred and I never sought out medical treatment). I also had an eye infection that was really bad about 2 months ago and I'm not sure if it's related.
Fast forward to now, I've been feeling ill with a sore/scratchy throat for 7 days that's not getting any better or even going through the regular cycle of a cold... I saw a doctor last night and they just said it was a virus that should go away on it's own eventually... I'm worried that is it HIV even if the chances are small. I had a flu in mid-December that I seemed to be able to fight off so I guess my immune system was okay enough back then?
I was tested for Syphillus, Ghonorrea, and Chlamydia about 6 years old patientago and all came out negative... I honestly can't remember if I was tested for HIV but I don't think I was.
My question to you: given what I've described with the yeast infections that occurred 1 week after an encounter and were very bad/recurring for ~6 years old patient(although eventually getting better and going away without medical treatment) what do you think are the chances it's HIV? I'm planning on getting tested soon, but I'm afraid I'll lose sleep over this so I just wanted a faster answer. Please do let me know your thoughts and my chances of being okay.
i. What is your problem? > I've been sick for 7 days and it's been persisting and not getting better or going through the regular cycle... I've had swollen lymph nodes as well
ii. Description of symptoms and time when you fell well. > started as a scratchy throat 7 days ago that got worse, I've been very tired and out of it all week, not getting better really
iii. How did you notice the problem Did the problem manifested gradually or sud-
denly? Has it gotten better or worse? Does anything make it better or worse? > it's been persisting... I had some mucus today actually but just a little bit. Most of it was a sore/scratchy throat with tiredness all week that persisted and didn't turn into a regular cold. I thought I had a light fever yesterday.
iv. Your medical history or family history with respect to the problem > I had those recurring male yeast infections after an unprotected sexual encounter 8 years old patientago and the recurred/lasted for 6 years... only in the last couple have they gone away entirely (without treatment). Not sure if this is tied to a weakened immune system and could mean something really bad but i hope not... this is why I'm contacting a doctor.
v. Present medication, if any. > just omeprazole 20mg once daily for stomach issues
vi. Pictures of affected area, investigations or reports, if applicable. > no pictures, throat looks normalish
vii. Recommendations by treating physician i.e. treatment plan or suggestions by any
physician you might have consulted before. > they did a rapid strep test which came out normal... told me to just wait it out but now I got nervous all of the sudden. Maybe for no reason? I dunno...
Also, here's some results from Complete Blood Counts from 2008 vs. 2013 (I noticed WBC doubled strangely):
Thanks.
Submitted:
4 Days
Category:
HIV- AIDS Specialist
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 info@doctorspring.com. Thank you.
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.
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.