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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Swollen Glands In Throat, Multiple White Patches At Back Of Throat, Tiredness, Irritability. STD Tests Clear. HIV Positive?

Hi,

So basically I am extremely worried that I have contracted HIV. My HIV exposure was around April 22nd. I had unprotected sex with someone who has had multiple partners.

I am now noticing swollen glands in my throat accompanied by white patches at the back of my throat.

I am also feeling very tired and irritable lately.

I have been tested for STD's and have been cleared but HIV tests take longer to be accurate.

Do you think I may have HIV or could this possibly be stress related?
Sat, 25 May 2013
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hi and I am so sorry about what you are experiencing right now.

I understand how anxious you can be when you find yourself in a situation like this.

First, I will start by saying every unprotected sex is a risk factor for contracting STDs including HIV. Though your partner had multiple sex partners, which is a major risk when thinking of his HIV status, it in no way means he is HIV positive.

Secondly, Having these symptoms is often very non specific and at times can be the early symptoms and signs of HIV infection. It often takes longer than a month before these seroconversion symptoms of HIV show up. So, it will be very unlikely that these are due to HIV infection right now. But, we can not totally rule out this possibility.

However, other infections may also present with these same symptoms. For example, infectious mononucleosis, bacterial tonsilitis, pharyngitis etc.

Also, what test did you use for HIV testing. If it were a rapid test that utilises antibodies presence, then you may need to wait for about 3months from the date of exposure to get conclusive results. If waiting is so stressful and you have the finances, you may request for a test(PCR) which looks for particles of the virus and is often conclusive earlier than the rapid tests. This should give you a definite answer now if you can afford it.

Finally, can you get your partner to get tested for HIV? if so, then his results will shed more light on whether you were really exposed to the virus or not. With this information, we would be able to see what for real we are dealing with here.

I understand your fears, they are real and almost every other person would feel same. Hope you follow through and get the definite answer. However, no matter what the final answer is, please always protect yourself each time you have unsafe sex and also, you may want to adopt safer sex practices.
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Swollen Glands In Throat, Multiple White Patches At Back Of Throat, Tiredness, Irritability. STD Tests Clear. HIV Positive?

Hi and I am so sorry about what you are experiencing right now. I understand how anxious you can be when you find yourself in a situation like this. First, I will start by saying every unprotected sex is a risk factor for contracting STDs including HIV. Though your partner had multiple sex partners, which is a major risk when thinking of his HIV status, it in no way means he is HIV positive. Secondly, Having these symptoms is often very non specific and at times can be the early symptoms and signs of HIV infection. It often takes longer than a month before these seroconversion symptoms of HIV show up. So, it will be very unlikely that these are due to HIV infection right now. But, we can not totally rule out this possibility. However, other infections may also present with these same symptoms. For example, infectious mononucleosis, bacterial tonsilitis, pharyngitis etc. Also, what test did you use for HIV testing. If it were a rapid test that utilises antibodies presence, then you may need to wait for about 3months from the date of exposure to get conclusive results. If waiting is so stressful and you have the finances, you may request for a test(PCR) which looks for particles of the virus and is often conclusive earlier than the rapid tests. This should give you a definite answer now if you can afford it. Finally, can you get your partner to get tested for HIV? if so, then his results will shed more light on whether you were really exposed to the virus or not. With this information, we would be able to see what for real we are dealing with here. I understand your fears, they are real and almost every other person would feel same. Hope you follow through and get the definite answer. However, no matter what the final answer is, please always protect yourself each time you have unsafe sex and also, you may want to adopt safer sex practices.