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What Causes Nausea And Stomach Upset After Having Azithromycin?

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Posted on Thu, 21 Jan 2016
Question: hi I have received a single dose of azithromycin to teat probable chlamydia4 days ago.
since have been nauseous and stomach upset, not diarreoh understand this is expected.
I am a male was exposed to high risk vaginal sex exactly 29 days ago.

yesterday and today I have had a headache,loss of appetite,night sweats, mild fever, extreme fatigue, muscle ache, nausea,and stomach upset...
can the aziromycin cause this...? I know I am clutching at straws here

even as I write this I know what is coming..HIV tests were taken 4 days ago and above symptoms were not present
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (30 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
good that you got testing

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your question,
It is unlikely that the azithromycin would be causing those problems. It can definitely cause nausea and stomach distress but would not be causing fever and the other symptoms 4 days out. However, do not panic, it could be just a viral infection like the flu or mononucleosis, it does not mean that you have HIV. If you had high risk sex then it is good that you are getting testing done. You will neeed to repeat the HIV test in 3 months to make sure it is negative but don't get into a panic. Getting HIV after only one exposure is possible but not likely even with a high risk individual.
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (7 minutes later)
thanks for the reply...
I have just checked symptoms of monocle..hopefully its that
the symptoms started exactly 28 days more or less to the hour after exposure...

is it fact that 1 exposure is unlikely ??I wasn't aware of that..
why is it unlikely ??
the situation was with a very high risk individual and was unprotected..there were a lot of fluids...I already have chlamydia
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (16 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
yes risk is low

Detailed Answer:
The estimated risk after one exposure is about 1 in 200. However, this depends upon many things. If the sex was rough and there were tears in the genital areas then this would make the risk go up. If the person you had sex with was infected and had a very high viral load then that would increase the risk.
Also remember that just because someone is high risk, does not mean that they even have HIV. Chlamydia and gonorrhea are much more common than HIV.
The risk of contracting HIV depends upon the number of exposures and the type of exposure. Our bodies can often fight off an infection after a single exposure but if you keep re-exposing your self to a virus then you are more likely to become infected.
I hope you find out that you are HIV negative soon,
Regards
Dr. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (8 hours later)
hell thanks again for your reply
I have just had a 2nd night of sweats...worse than the 1 st night..2-4times throughout the night and quite extreme.
I am feeling a little better though this morning but still lethargic and not hungry

I am 42 years of age..i understand mononucleosis does not usually affect people of my age

I have read and understand the symptoms I have to be more or less the same as both hiv and mononucleosis..
am I right in thinking the earlier the symptoms disappear and I start to return to health the more likely hiv is the cause of infection
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (11 hours later)
Brief Answer:
need testing

Detailed Answer:
Everyone responds to these infections differently. If you had mononucleosis as a child ( and you may not have known this) you could just be having a mild case of mono or the flu. The mono test is an easy one that your doctor can do quickly in the office to rule that out.
Again it is important not to panic and think that you have HIV. Try to stay calm and just wait on results. I am glad that you are feeling somewhat better
Regards,
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (1 hour later)
hi thanks for the reply
does a persons viral load increase if they are infected but not receiving treatment
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (13 hours later)
Brief Answer:
depends

Detailed Answer:
People with HIV that are getting treatment may often have an undetectable viral load. If they are not on treatment then it depends upon the activity of the virus, sometimes viral loads are high and other times when the disease is less active then viral loads are lower.
Dr. Robinson
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (5 hours later)
thank you for you responses...
it is the holiday season here...as im sure it is in the US..so I am unable to contact anybody else..

Is a sore throat always present in mono??
I don't have one

I have fatigue, getting better
muscle ache getting
night sweats first 2 nights after symptoms, none last night
loss of appetite, getting better
original headache, right in middle of head, not had for 2 days
upset stomach, not diarraeoh but loose and pale
is improvement although nowhere near 100% better, usual 4 days after first symptoms in hiv?

will hiv have been detected from my test last week, 3 days before any symptoms occurred??

grateful if you could respond with answers...I am due in clinic tomorrow for a re visit
doctor
Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (4 hours later)
Brief Answer:
thanks for your questions

Detailed Answer:
Sore throat is common in mono but is not always present.
It is good that many of your symptoms are improving
The loose stool is probably from the zithromax
Initial flu-like symptoms with HIV usually resolve in 1-2 weeks
It is possible that your HIV test could be positive this early but if it is negative you will need to repeat it in 3 months from the contact date to be sure it stays positive
I am glad you have an appointment tomorrow
Regards
Dr. Robinson
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
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Dr. Kathy Robinson

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1989

Answered : 3535 Questions

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What Causes Nausea And Stomach Upset After Having Azithromycin?

Brief Answer: good that you got testing Detailed Answer: Hello and thanks for your question, It is unlikely that the azithromycin would be causing those problems. It can definitely cause nausea and stomach distress but would not be causing fever and the other symptoms 4 days out. However, do not panic, it could be just a viral infection like the flu or mononucleosis, it does not mean that you have HIV. If you had high risk sex then it is good that you are getting testing done. You will neeed to repeat the HIV test in 3 months to make sure it is negative but don't get into a panic. Getting HIV after only one exposure is possible but not likely even with a high risk individual. Regards, Dr. Robinson