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Can Soreness In Muscles And Sticky Tongue Be Indications Of HIV?

Posted on Tue, 4 Feb 2014

Question: Hi, i had a possible exposure to HIV about 7 or 8 months ago. I didnt have any rash or other seroconverson symptoms. However for the last couple of months my muscles have been quite sore and had a few mouth issues, including a couple of ulcers that have healed quickly without treatment. In the last couple of days i also have quite a sticky feeling tongue and it looks whiter than normal. Are these symptoms of HIV that would normally show up after 6 or 7 months? thank you

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (56 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Might not be HIV symptoms, better to test Detailed Answer: Hello sir and welcome. Thank you for writing to us. These symptoms are rather insignificant and can be related to various conditions like vitamin deficiencies, change in mucosal pH, oral cavity infections, a few less severe sexually transmitted infections, lowered immunity, and possibly (rare) HIV, etc. HIV symptoms can be very non-specific at times sir, and although your symptoms do not resemble that of HIV, I would still recommend a simple HIV blood test, which can be conducted anytime now, and would yield an accurate result. This will help us rule out HIV, and then assume other possibilities. It is better to rule it out that live in fear of having it, don't you think so sir? I hope you find my response helpful sir. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you. Best wishes.

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

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (8 hours later)

thanks for your reply. I understand that getting a test is the only way to be sure either way. I think my immune system has been weakened mainly by stress and this week alcohol consumption, or i guess hiv. I will get tested. One follow up question though please, how common is it for symptoms of hiv to appear after 6 or 7 months? that are not acute infection symptoms. Thanks again

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (4 hours later)

Brief Answer: Possibility of such an occurrence is moderate Detailed Answer: Hello once again sir. Of course you may ask me more questions, any number of questions in fact sir, please do not hesitate to ask me anymore clarifications. It is possible for HIV-related symptoms to appear within 6-7 months of contact with a HIV-infected individual (if this person indeed has HIV). The possibilities of such an occurrence are quite high, i.e. around 60-90 % or possibly higher. I hope this information helps you sir. Please do not hesitate to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to help you. Hoping and praying this is anything but HIV, and you recover from these symptoms at the earliest. God bless.

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

Follow up: Dr. Shoaib Khan (5 hours later)

thank you. As i understood it, symptoms didnt normally appear for a number years, as many as 10, before symptoms develop. Do you have anymore infomation regards typical symptoms that could occur after a shorter period like 6 months please? kind regards,

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer: Mostly no symptoms at 6-7 months Detailed Answer: Hello once again sir. I shall surely help you with that. At 6-7 months after exposure, most individuals feel absolutely healthy and do not have any symptoms at all. But if there are symptoms, they can be the following: -Rash -Tiredness -Sore throat -Headaches -Fever -Muscle and/or joint pains -Swollen glands I hope this information helps you sir. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I shall be more than happy to help. Best wishes.

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