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Is Dry Cough And Throat Infection Associated With Fever Symptom Of HIV?

Posted on Tue, 29 Apr 2014

Question: Hi Doc, I had sex with a sex worker 3 months back. I used a condom and also checked the condom after intercourse to see if there was any tear or slip. The condom was perfectly fine. However the lady gave me a blow job without a condom for few mins, and that is stressing me immensely. It's been 3 months now and I have developed a dry cough and My body temperature keeps fluctuating. I visited the hospital and they said I do not have fever, they have given me antibiotics for the cough. I have been reading online and noticed dry cough is one of the symptons of HIV Positive. Since I received a blow job without a condom and that I have this cough does that mean I am HIV positive? My wife also has got this cough at the same time and I am freaking out and stressing that I am HIV Positive.

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (28 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Oral sex carries low risk.Suggested HIV testing. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to HCM. Thanks for posting your query. You had a protected intercourse. Condom was quite intact. So nothing to worry. Oral sex carries a very low risk for HIV. Dry cough, throat infection associated with fever is a commonest problem that anybody could get. It is natural from you, your wife can acquire the same. With this alone nobody can tell or diagnose that you are likely to have HIV. It is better for you to have a blood test for HIV and rule out this remote possibility of acquiring HIV through oral sex and get relieved from your mental tension. Otherwise any small illness in future will disturb you. Get relaxed. Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (3 minutes later)

My wife had some itching after 2 months in her vagina, for 2 days she applied cream and it went, i too had some minor itching near my testicles for few days too. Is this something to worry about considering i had oral sex with a sex worker. Please advise.

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Vaginal and scrotal itching possibly due to fungus Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome back. Once again I affirm you that vaginal itching for your wife and scrotal itching for you have nothing to with the unprotected oral sex. These symptoms may be due to Fungal infection. If you both have been examined by a Dermatologist, He will cure easily. This need not be due to HIV. In HIV disease these problems occur after the immunity went wrong that could take not less than 5 years if infected. So I am definite that it has no relation to HIV infection. Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (4 minutes later)

Apologies for asking so many questions doctor, i am sure you might understand how stressed i am, i did not understand this line: "In HIV disease these problems occur after the immunity went wrong that could take not less than 5 years if infected" I had sex with a sex worker in XXXXXXX and my wife and i had the itching problem end feb and 1st week march. i did not understand less than 5 years if infected can you elaborate a bit more please

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (2 hours later)

Brief Answer: Immunity gets decreased after 5-7 years in HIV. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome once again. I mean that not less than 5 years indicates the immunity following an infection with HIV CD4 cells (a type of white cells responsible for immunity against infection) slowly deteriorate and went below the XXXXXXX (susceptible for infection) level after 5-7 years or later and not earlier. You have to read not as "less than 5 years", but as "not less than 5 years". Definitely not before that. So you don't need to get confused. Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (22 minutes later)

Correct me if i am wrong in short you mean that the infection will show after 5-7 years. Secondly since you said that oral sex carries low risk, how low is the percentage and thridly i have read online that there are no cases of hiv transmitted if the person is receiving oral sex, is this correct. please let me know.

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Regular symptom willoccur 5-7years after infection Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome back. Earliest HIV manifestation can occur (not as itching), in 50 % of the infected as primary acute infection with 'Flu' like syndrome after 4-6 weeks after the infection. (NOT FOR ALL WHO INFECTED). Then after a period of asymptomatic stage for 5-7 years or more Other symptoms can occur according to the severity of immune loss. According to CDC,Atlanta, the risk of vaginal penetrative sex carries 5 per 10000 exposures. Oral sex is described as low. That means it is far lesser than that. In all types of sexual activities (anal,vaginal, oral) recipients are comparatively a little higher risk than the penetrator or giver. I hope that I had cleared your doubts. We cannot say anything exactly as it is not mathematics. Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (18 minutes later)

Thank you for clarifying most of my queries. Based on my history and case details am i at HIV risk?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: Oral sex has very low HIV risk.Suggested HIV test. Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, Welcome once again. As I had mentioned earlier you have a low risk for HIV as you had a unprotected oral sex. The chance of getting HIV is almost nil. Anyhow ruling out with a HIV test is always good and safe as this only can denote your HIV status beyond any doubt. Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (2 hours later)

One more question is sucking a sex workers breast considered to be risky and can you get HIV by sucking a sex workers breast.

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (6 hours later)

Brief Answer: Sucking a non-lactating breast has no risk for HIV Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to HCM. 25-30% of children on mother's feed who had infected with HIV, are getting the infection. Others escaped. Moreover this is a continuous process for months together. Sucking the breast of a sex worker onetime, that too who is not a lactating woman, then there is no risk for HIV.You need not worry. Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (18 hours later)

Hi Doc, Today i developed a few rashes on my chest and tummy area about 3-4 rashes is this something i need to worry about considering my history and actions with a sex worker please advise

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (5 hours later)

Brief Answer: Many reasons for skin rash.Unlikely to be HIV Detailed Answer: Hi XXXX, Welcome Once again. Rashes may be due to some drug allergy or a contact with insect or it may be due to your work or food related one. There are so many reasons for skin rash including infectious causes. Approach a Dermatologist and get cured as soon as possible. Otherwise if you can upload pictures of your skin rash with good clarity I will try to clear your doubt. Anyhow it need not be related to HIV infection as your risk is very low. Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (3 hours later)

Below is the picture of the rash i hav got few of these on my body

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Rash has nothing to do with HIV. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome once again. I saw the picture sent by you. It shows two erythematous (reddish) rashes seen. It is not specific to HIV disease. Even could be a tick bite or an insect bite. Consult your dermatologist and get it cured. Nothing to worry. Dr S XXXXXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (3 minutes later)

Sorry Doctor i want to add one more question on the rash. as you see in the picture there are two rashes: First rash is a reddish rash which i have got a few over my body ( my wife also got a few of them) Second rash is like a blood cloth which is dark red in color. i have got a few of these too and two of them on my testicles. Are you saying both rashes are ok and not to be worried about.

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Both types are not related to HIV Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome back. Both Rashes are not related to HIV. If it could be due to insect bite it is quite possible for your wife also can have similar lesion. Without worrying much meet your dermatologist. He will cure you easily. Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (1 hour later)

Hi Doc once again apologies with my number of questions but i have one rash on my right shoulder which looks completely different from the rest i am uploading the pic please check and advise if all is ok with this one too. Both puc are the same rash i have added two pics so you can check which one is more clear and provide your feedback. Thank youDear Doc any updat on my last question, i have only one rash on my right shoulder which looks completely different from the other rashes. i have attached two pics please check and advise if this is something to worry about. Would appreciate if you provide me your feedback. Thank you once again.

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (3 hours later)

Brief Answer: All skin rashes were not related to HIV. Detailed Answer: HI, Welcome back. As you said one of the picture is well visualized. Once again I affirm you that your lesion is not related anyway to early HIV disease. You need not worry at all. This also could possibly be related to your other skin rashes and not related to HIV. Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (3 minutes later)

Thank you Doctor for your feedback, as per your recommendation i will undergo the test since although its low risk. What tests do you suggest that i need to take?

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer: 4th generation COMBO/DUO test is an ideal test Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome once again. A fourth generation Combo/DUO test is more ideal and very much reliable and coclusive. Better you can have one such test and rule out totally HIV and you can feel relax. Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (4 hours later)

Thank you Doctor, just to understand further can you enlighten me on what are the symptons of HIV positive and by when do they show up.

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (9 hours later)

Brief Answer: Acute infection,AIDSrelated,Opportunisticinfection Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome Back, As I said already 50% of HIV infected may likely to have a'flu' like syndrome (fever, sore throat, body pain, lymph node swelling etc.) after 6-8 weeks. Then after a prolonged asymptomatic period (5-10 years), the individual may likely to have 1.fever for more than a month 2. Episodes of recurrent Loose motions 3. Weight loss within a short period 4. Oral Thrush and skin infections Then in advanced stages more severe and specific infections affecting lungs, gut, brain, eyes and skin can occur. Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (5 hours later)

Doc my dry cough has not yet gone its almost two weeks now i am under antibiotics, do i need to be worried about this dry cough

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (44 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Dry cough possibly due to throat infection. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome once again. Dry cough may be due to pharyngitis or throat infection. Rarely, side effects of drug and psychiatric problems also may manifest as dry cough. Appropriate Antibiotics along with some cough suppressives will help you. What antibiotics had been prescribed to you? Consult an ENT surgeon preferably. This has not necessarily has any relation to HIV or not indicating HIV. Your HIV test will rule out the HIV possibility in you. Dr S.Murugan

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E

Follow up: Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (11 minutes later)

One more questionm once again apologies for numerous questions i hope you understand i am stressed, i have been having diarrhoea for the last 2 days is this a cause of worry for me or is this due to be being overly stressed

Answered by Dr. Sankaranantham Murugan (26 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Diarrhea a common disease for anyone. Need HIVtest Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome back. Diarrhea for two days can be due to gut infection and also due to diet habit and depends upon your occupation also. In HIV disease this type of problem can occur after 5-7 years when the immunity gets impaired, if there is an infection and not earlier. The definite answer whether it has any relation to your exposure to oral sex can be predicted only with the outcome of HIV test result. Dr S.Murugan

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E