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What Causes Tingling And Numbness In Toes And Fingers Post Unprotected Sex?
Question: hi, i am a XXXXXXX man who recently had unprotected anal sex with a guy 16 days ago. he assured me he was negative. however having a few symptoms that i am unsure about (although not severe). I started experiencing slight tingling, numness in my toes and fingers. it is very mild and does not occur all of the time - i noticed this about 5-10 days post exposure. also, have has very mild groin pain. i am going to take an RNA HIV Test tomorrow (so around the 16 day mark) for early detection to help alleviate some of the anxiety. Just wondering your initial thoughts - is tingling in your fingers and toes a common symptom for HIV? When do symptoms for HIV typically appear? If you are symptomatic to HIV, are one off symptoms (such as tingling) common or are they usually accompanied with other symptoms? Any additional advisement would be appreciated - other than this, i feel fine..not tired...and realtively well. just overly concerned i suppose.. Thanks
Brief Answer:
Your symptoms are not related to HIV
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
primary HIV infection usually presents with mononucleosis like symptoms (fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, malaise etc). Other symptoms may develop much later in the course of HIV disease (AIDS). Tingling and numbness alone have nothing to do with primary HIV infection.
RNA tests can become positive 10 days or more after transmission. If the test is negative, retesting after 2-3 months would be appropriate (RNA test again). You could also use the antibody test which should be cheaper but it may take up to 6 months for the antibodies to become detectable.
I believe that your symptoms have to do with anxiety mostly. You should try to avoid putting yourself in that position in the future by using condoms. Besides HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases might be transmitted during an unprotected sexual contact even when no visible lesions are present.
I hope I've helped you alleviate your anxiety!
If you'd like further information, please use your follow-up questions.
Kind Regards!
Your symptoms are not related to HIV
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
primary HIV infection usually presents with mononucleosis like symptoms (fever, swollen lymph nodes, sore throat, malaise etc). Other symptoms may develop much later in the course of HIV disease (AIDS). Tingling and numbness alone have nothing to do with primary HIV infection.
RNA tests can become positive 10 days or more after transmission. If the test is negative, retesting after 2-3 months would be appropriate (RNA test again). You could also use the antibody test which should be cheaper but it may take up to 6 months for the antibodies to become detectable.
I believe that your symptoms have to do with anxiety mostly. You should try to avoid putting yourself in that position in the future by using condoms. Besides HIV, other sexually transmitted diseases might be transmitted during an unprotected sexual contact even when no visible lesions are present.
I hope I've helped you alleviate your anxiety!
If you'd like further information, please use your follow-up questions.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thanks so much for your help. I agree - most likely anxiety. And recognize I do have to be safer (which I will be smarter about in the future). Recently in Oct 2014 - i tested negative for everything, except positive for HSV2. I haven't had any visible systems of HSV2 - but as part of this anxiety noticed something trying to develop down there, although I wouldn't have noticed without knowing my status.
Back to the RNA Test - i am still going to take this out of good measure. And ill get retested again in a few months, as well as limit my sexual partners (among being safer). What is the accuracy (percentage wise) of an RNA Test at 10 days-15 days post exposure....95%? Just curious more than anything. Thanks Again XXXXX
Back to the RNA Test - i am still going to take this out of good measure. And ill get retested again in a few months, as well as limit my sexual partners (among being safer). What is the accuracy (percentage wise) of an RNA Test at 10 days-15 days post exposure....95%? Just curious more than anything. Thanks Again XXXXX
Brief Answer:
If the RNA is present in high enough levels it will be detected
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The RNA test detects number of copies of the virus genetic material. If there are many copies then the test is considered positive. The test may become positive some time after the 10th day (mostly close to the end of second week). I can't give an exact percentage but since the RNA levels rise to very high numbers during primary infection, it's almost inevitable to be detected. If the numbers are low (but detected) then repeat testing in another couple of weeks is advised to exclude false positives.
Kind Regards!
If the RNA is present in high enough levels it will be detected
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
The RNA test detects number of copies of the virus genetic material. If there are many copies then the test is considered positive. The test may become positive some time after the 10th day (mostly close to the end of second week). I can't give an exact percentage but since the RNA levels rise to very high numbers during primary infection, it's almost inevitable to be detected. If the numbers are low (but detected) then repeat testing in another couple of weeks is advised to exclude false positives.
Kind Regards!
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
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