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At The Beginning Of September, I Noticed A Large, Painful,
Question: At the beginning of September, i noticed a large, painful, red cyst/boil on my back. i had it cut and drained on October 1. Not that this has anything to do with that, but during that time i was feeling more tired than usual. Anyway, for the last 3 weeks or so, i have been experiencing horrible headaches that usually stem from the back left base of my head, difficulty seeing clearly, dizziness, and nausea. Usually when i have a headache, the nausea is mild, if nonexistent. Then i get nauseated, and the headache is usually not there.
Known conditions: allergies (i get shots once a week), sinusitis, mild asthma, hypothyroidism (take synthroid daily), GERD (usually take medicine as needed). HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED: throwing up, temperarure, sore throat, diarrhea, chills. i also have been on PrEP for about a year and 6 months. Last sexual experience was September 7.
Any thoughts about what could be going on is appreciated (including possibility of an STD??)
Known conditions: allergies (i get shots once a week), sinusitis, mild asthma, hypothyroidism (take synthroid daily), GERD (usually take medicine as needed). HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED: throwing up, temperarure, sore throat, diarrhea, chills. i also have been on PrEP for about a year and 6 months. Last sexual experience was September 7.
Any thoughts about what could be going on is appreciated (including possibility of an STD??)
Brief Answer:
An infection to be considered and investigated further.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor " service.
I have read your query and here is my advice.
You are right, most likely is an infection that is causing your symptoms.
It may be an infection of upper respiratory tract, but also is possible an infection elsewhere such as STD.
For these issues you should see your primary care Doctor and get tested further with physical examination, blood tests, screening for STD, etc. in order to be diagnosed correctly.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
An infection to be considered and investigated further.
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to "Ask a Doctor " service.
I have read your query and here is my advice.
You are right, most likely is an infection that is causing your symptoms.
It may be an infection of upper respiratory tract, but also is possible an infection elsewhere such as STD.
For these issues you should see your primary care Doctor and get tested further with physical examination, blood tests, screening for STD, etc. in order to be diagnosed correctly.
Hope you found the answer helpful.
Let me know if I can assist you further.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Brief Answer:
Answered below.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
A STD can't be excluded as a possible infection in your case, but other, more probable infections may cause your symptoms.
I don't think that you got HIV, because the symptoms are not typical for early stages of HIV infection.
A throat infection, a stomach flu, etc. are more possible than STDs in your case.
If you had unprotected sex possible STDs include gonorhea, clamidia, etc. but these manifest with genitourinary tract symptoms too.
It is still my opinion that you should get evaluated clinically and by tests in order to achieve a correct diagnosis.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Answered below.
Detailed Answer:
Welcome back.
A STD can't be excluded as a possible infection in your case, but other, more probable infections may cause your symptoms.
I don't think that you got HIV, because the symptoms are not typical for early stages of HIV infection.
A throat infection, a stomach flu, etc. are more possible than STDs in your case.
If you had unprotected sex possible STDs include gonorhea, clamidia, etc. but these manifest with genitourinary tract symptoms too.
It is still my opinion that you should get evaluated clinically and by tests in order to achieve a correct diagnosis.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I don’t think I have any genitourinary symptoms, and I am glad you noted that my symptoms appear hiv related (again, I am faithfully on PrEP, was the bottom but no ejaculation and partner said he was neg). But is it possible that a stomach virus could last this long? I will go to a doc tomorrow, but I am just seeking your assistance to help narrow down the possibilities. If it is a stomach virus, can you have that without diarrhea?
One question about respiratory infection. Could it last this long if untreated? A lot of times when I feel nauseated (like now) it’s this weird sensation in the upper part of my chest.
Finally, this cyst was in the upper middle part of my back. Is it possible that there is still an infection there that would cause my symptoms?
Thanks for your help!
One question about respiratory infection. Could it last this long if untreated? A lot of times when I feel nauseated (like now) it’s this weird sensation in the upper part of my chest.
Finally, this cyst was in the upper middle part of my back. Is it possible that there is still an infection there that would cause my symptoms?
Thanks for your help!
Brief Answer:
Answered below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
An upper respiratory infection or a more severe one such as pneumonia may last of left untreated.
You said in your initial question that you had diarrhea.
However, stomach flu doesn't last that long.
If the cyst was infected then spreading of infection also should be considered.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Answered below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
An upper respiratory infection or a more severe one such as pneumonia may last of left untreated.
You said in your initial question that you had diarrhea.
However, stomach flu doesn't last that long.
If the cyst was infected then spreading of infection also should be considered.
Hope this helps.
Take care.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
No, my initial question said. “HAVE NOT EXPERIENCED: throwing up, temperarure, sore throat, diarrhea, chills. i also have been on PrEP for about a year and 6 months. Last sexual experience was September 7.”
Meaning NO throwing up, NO temperature, NO sore throat, NO diarrhea, NO chills.
Meaning NO throwing up, NO temperature, NO sore throat, NO diarrhea, NO chills.
Brief Answer:
Besides infection, PrEP adverse effects to consider.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Since you did not experience throwing up, temperature, sore throat, diarrhea, chills, besides an infection, adverse effects of pre-exposure prophylaxis antiviral drugs may be taken into consideration.
Hope this helps.
Greetings.
Besides infection, PrEP adverse effects to consider.
Detailed Answer:
Hello again.
Since you did not experience throwing up, temperature, sore throat, diarrhea, chills, besides an infection, adverse effects of pre-exposure prophylaxis antiviral drugs may be taken into consideration.
Hope this helps.
Greetings.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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