Email 210: HIV Transmission, Symptoms...
Posted by Pozziepinoy on 7:56 PM
Heres my story. I had sex with a hooker one night and we used a condom. But the condom is a bit big for my size (not too big), but the head of my penis is 100% covered but the base was a little bit airy but it did not break or slip (ive read that as long as the head is covered the condom is doing its job) (not airy on the middle part up to the head of my penis, just on the base), and HIV virus die fast once exposed to oxygen), I have no sores on my whole penis. She also did me handjob (no felliato), she took the condom off and jacked me off.
Now its been like 10 or 11 weeks after that night. I started to feel itchiness on my urethra so I read information online and they said there that it could be STD's. A few days later itchiness was gone. Now my testicles hurt, first it was only the left testicle. I went to the doctor and he said it might be epididymitis. He prescribed me with antibiotics. But the pain didn't subside. Next appointment to the doctor, he said I should get an ultrasound. On the next appointment, I showed him the result, it came out normal. But the pain persists and now both the testicles are painful with itchy urethra. But the doctor prescribed the same antibiotics.
I ruled out testicular cancer so I won't get totally paranoid. I ruled it out cause the ultra sound didn't see abnormalities. Then now, I feel intermittent freezing sensations on hands and feet sa hands and feet. Sometimes when I am sitting down my testicles hurt the I feel paranoid so I check my neck for my lymph nodes if they are swollen. But when I do that, they seemed to be ok. Then I feel weak with headache but I don't have fever and I lose my appetite. I don't know if I am just getting paranoid or what.
But this is what I am scared of. I have shortness of breath chest pain at mild coughing. I had it checked with a doctor and was prescribed with azithromycin. My chest pain disappeared but the mild cough and shortness of breath. Then now the pain is coming back. I haven't gone to the doctor again yet. I read your story that you also were coughing with chest pain at shortness of breath. By the way, I also have intermittent diarrhea. I am scared that I may have AIDS now. So what I have now are: dry cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, testicular pain and ichy urethra with mild pain and sometimes, I don't know if it is just panic attack or but I feel weak and have poor appetite. Never have I experienced any fever, swollen lymphnodes. since that night I had sex with a hooker (don't even know if shes +). BTW that hooker is the first time I had sex with and no one else.
I would like to ask pozzie, did you have unprotected sex? Who did you get your HIV from? Can you estimate when you had HIV and when did your shortness of breath and coughing mo come out? Sorry if I have a lot of questions because I am so scared. Do you remember the time when you had early symptoms of HIV like flu? swollen lymphnodes? Because 3 months since that night, e I already had dry cough and shortness of breath. Is it possible that this is AIDS? Because I read that HIV takes a long time to develop to AIDS, the shortest was 1yr (from what I've read) and the others mostly 10 years and beyond.
I haven't had my HIV test, balak ko sa RITM Malate. How do I go there? I'll be coming from GIL PUYAT(Buendia- taft). Im a male, how much is it? Also, what type of HIV Test will they do?
Thanks GOD BLESS POZZIE!
-Jimmy
RESPONSE
Because there are so many questions in this email, both Dr. Phillip and I will respond to them
Hi Jimmy,
First, we do not know the status of the girl but we will assume that she is HIV positive in the context of my response. Your exposure, if you narrated it accurately is a PROTECTED vaginal sex and probably masturbation. For the most part, this is low risk exposure.
Secondly, if you already have been to a specialist and you already reached the level of having a testicular ultrasound, then more likely, most of the symptoms you feel originate from your anxiety about the possibility of contracting HIV. I have to tell you that your best option is to get tested for now and once you get your non-reactive result, do try to relax for few days and see if all the symptoms you are feeling will subside. If not, then you have to visit another doctor, you might have other problems not related to HIV.
The symptoms of acute HIV infections is not very specific like the flu, lymph nodes, etc and some people will not experience it at all. The Rapid test in most clinics like RITM is very accurate exceeding 99% and once you have obtained a non-reactive results after 12 weeks/3months/84 days post exposure , then the test can be considered conclusive. The 6 months period is based on the old protocol, though it still in the website of CDC but most countries like Canada and UK follows the 3 months window period. Only certain groups of individuals with inherent or acquired problems in their immune system will develop antibody beyond 3 months. Only a non-reactive test will tell if you are not exposed but considering your exposure and the unknown status of the partner, you should be fine. It is also best not to keep surfing the internet for unfounded articles just to match your symptoms as they will further feed you anxities. Go ahead and get tested by 13th weeks to be sure.
Regards,
Philippine Contributor
Hi Jimmy.
Thank you for your email. Thank you for describing in detail what you have been feeling.
I can feel your dilemma and it is ok. Really the fear of the unknown is a killer, however focusing too much on researches also can distract you from what you need to do in the first place --- taking the HIV Test. This will address one of your major concerns and you will somehow know what really is going on with you.
Most of the questions that you asked have been answered by Dr. Phillip so I will just reply to those questions addressed to me:
1. Did you have unprotected sex?
I did. Not just once. I had unprotected sex with strangers that I met over the internet, in the gay sites. For a person like me, who belonged to the medical field, I was stupid. I knew about how it can be transmitted but the sexual desire was great that I never applied what I had learned to myself.
2. Who did I get it from?
I got it from strangers who loved the pleasures of sex. I got it from people without even thinking that they maybe carriers of HIV. I never asked and at times used no protection.
3. Can you estimate the time when you contracted HIV and the first symptoms?
I can't. I wasn't monitoring it. I only found out when my pneumonia recurred for a period of only 4 months after my first bout of pneumonia. It was then that my pulmonologist requested me to have an HIV Test. He said that it is rare that 2 bouts of pneumonia will happen in the same year unless the immune system is weak.
4. When did you feel your shortness of breath?
It was progressive. It was 2 years ago, around April 2011, when I started dieting that I started to cough. It was non-productive. A few weeks later I had mild chest pain. Then suddenly there was shortness of breath. Walking made me even stop because of it. My partner Tag and I went to the ER and they just gave me azithromycin for a week. I was diagnosed with mild pneumonia. In a few days, I was back to normal. Then everything recurred after 4 months, around mid August 2011. We went back to the ER on September 1, 2011 and I was diagnosed with mild bibasal pneumonia. What made my pulmonologist think otherwise that my pneumonia really was the cause of my shortness of breath and palpitation was it was only mild as seen from my chest X-ray. Then they did a bronchoscopy and gathered some specimen since I couldn't cough out phlegm. Then they diagnosed me with pneumocystiis pneumonia (PCP) which is one of the opportunistic infections attributed with HIV.
5. Did you have early symptoms of HIV?
I remembered having fever once a month, and diarrhea which was very unusual, also once a month which would last for 3-7 days. I didn't have enlargement of the lymph nodes though.
6. How to go to RITM-Satellite Clinic?
Click this link. RITM SATELLITE CLINIC. There is a map and directions there.
Click here for their new schedule: CLINIC HOURS
7. How much is the HIV Test.
In RITM-Satellite Clinic, it is P500 for straight men and women. Free for MSM (men having sex with men).
8. What kind of HIV Test will they give there?
The HIV Test uses both Rapid and Particle Agglutination HIV Tests which provide accuracy of up to 99%. This means that there is no need to wait for a confirmatory result (Western Blot Test) that would take 2-3 weeks.
9. In your honest opinion, whats the probability that I have HIV?
To be honest with you, if what you claimed is 100% accurate, meaning it was a very low risk of exposure once, then maybe you don't have it and maybe everything that you are feeling is basically coincidental. However, the ONLY way for you to know is to really get the HIV Test. You went and got consultations and lab tests from other doctors before so what's keeping you from taking the test. Trust me, it will solve all your problems. If your result turn out to be negative, then the next step is to address your other physical symptoms without thinking of HIV. You can then go to a lung specialist and have your lungs checked. If it turns out to be positive, then there are HIV treatment hubs that can address all your problems altogether. It is a win-win situation no matter what. Later on, it will give you peace of mind. Over thinking delays the most important step... the HIV Test. Just go ahead and take it.
I hope I was able to answer your concerns. Feel free to email me again if you have other questions.
Stay healthy,
Pozziepinoy
"WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER.
NO PLHIV is alone with his or her struggle with HIV!"
-Pozziepinoy-
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Tags: HIV Manila, HIV Philippines, AIDS Manila, AIDS Philippines, HIV/AIDS Manila, HIV/AIDS Philippines
