I've seen various doctors but none agreed with me on possible HIV infection.

3 weeks after protected sex, I had temp. of 36.5°C (morning) up to 37.0°C(highest) for a week (very slight headache during 1st 3 days). This is above my normal temp of 36.3°C-36.5°C daily. Doctors refused to acknowledge fever as it is below 37.5°C. There was a feeling of an upcoming throat inflammation, but it never appeared.

After fever, I realised that I've lost abt 4 pounds from previous record...but not sure when weight loss started as i haven't been weighing myself.

1 week upon onset of fever, headache reappeared and I felt light-headedness for 3 days (not sure whether fever still there or not). I also needed more sleep than usual per day and had difficulty waking up in the morning. I used to sleep 8 hrs per day on weekends but now i can sleep 10-11 hrs b4 waking. I also developed eye bags. Tiredness lasted 5 days. On the 3rd day of headache, I noticed 2 bruise patches (not painful and i can't remember when i knocked on something)on my lower leg which disappeared in a day or 2.

Shortly b4 headache resolved, i realised that fever was gone. After the headache, I was like perfectly ok for more than a week although i had a flu for a day (temp 36.5°C in the morning...slight fever?). Started to regain weight though not fully . Then, I felt some pain on muscle or bone (not sure which one) which can move from one spot to another. It is a bit like rheumatic pain and each time lasts only a few seconds to a couple of minutes. This lasted 1 day.

In the whole process, I had a bit of bleeding (just a tiny patch of would) inside my mouth (upper part of muscuous membrane).

I also had night sweats every few days...in fact still having it now although it's been 9 weeks after exposure. Not drenching ones....but notice it shortly after sleep....damp forehead, neck, chest and on one occasion lower leg. Not severe, and only once over the night each time. It dries up easily when i blow myself against the fan.

In the whole process, there were occasional rashes that come and go...abt once a week, each time not lasting more than 0.5 hr. Not itchy...very faint....appeared just like accumulation of blood after flexing muscles. There's also a patch on my chest...so faint that i'm not sure if it is a rash...on my chest that is still there today.....9 weeks after exposure.

Doctors have cited stress for the symptoms and imagination. They also dun seem to have noticed the rash on my chest...(i heard most GP don't successfully diagnose primary HIV) But it seems that there are too many symptoms. How can we explain the fever? How can we explain the bruises? How can we explain the weight loss? the rash?....not forgeting they appear over the same period, though not exactly.

If it is not HIV, what can it be then?

I would do the test next mth when the window period ends.....but worrying like hell now. Would really appreciate your comments on whether which symptom is consistent and which is not with primary HIV infection.

Pls help. Desperate.

Thanks.
TT

Hi, I can exactly match all your symptoms, and when I dwell on them the seem to get worse. It is easy for me to type this and try to alleviate your anxiety but that would be somewhat duplicitous of me as I am still suffering the same whilst waiting for my 12 weeks to elapse. I was clear at 6 week test but no great comfort, despite many people telling me that my risk was negligible. All I can say is what others have told me; try to relax and put your risk in context - you had protected sex! Many organisations and medical personnel would not even consider testing. Your Dr has said the same as mine, but yes, anxiety needs to be addressed. Testing at 12 weeks should get you back to normal. God bless.

Dont get to worried, but i would ask for a test, you cant diagnose HIV without one. Also the bruising probably is not related at all. EArly HIV symtoms do not include bruising. Ever think of possible iron deficiceny? MAybe you did bang it but just didnt notice. I get bruises all the time. That is a perfect healing time, so dont get to nervous. Just ask for the test at three months after exposure and feel betetr afterward.

Isn't bruising a symptom? I read that thrombocytopenia can occur in HIV. Pls clarify.

Also, does that mean that apart from bruising, all my symptoms are consistent???? That's worrying.

BTW, does anyone has any statistics on HIV transmission thru protected sex?

Pls help. Thanks.
TT

The rate of transmission via penis / vaginal sex for HIV - 1 virus is 1 in 1000. The chance of transmission via protected sex using a condom, provided the condom is used properly and does not break, is .0001 %, or a 99.9999 % chance against infection. If you are concerned about HIV infection get tested at 3 months past any possible exposure. You are probably fine. It sounds more like you had a case of the flu.

what these idiots dont seem to want to clarify is that this is a symptom of late stage HUV when it becomes symptomatic, somewghere between 8-10 years not a symptom of ARS.

just a note: I DID NOT MEAN IDIOTS, AS IN PPL HERE, I MEANT THE ONES THAT THINK THEY ARE HIV EXPERTS AND CLAIM THAT THESE ARE SYMPTOMS ON THEIR WEBSITES. THE PEOPLE HERE ARE WONDERFUL, INTELLIGENT, INFORMED AND HELPFUL

so does anyone have any other comments on the other symptoms?

TT

Temperature: Changes throughout the day, can vary from morning to night. You have no fever.

Weight Loss: Could have happened any time.

Headache and Lightheadedness: Stress and anxiety wearing you out.

Bruise patches: People knock against things all the time. Sometimes you scratch places and end up finding a scratch mark.

Bleeding inside mouth: Maybe you ate something jagged, or bit the flesh in there?

Night sweats: You need to be sopping wet to qualify for a night sweat. As in, wring the sheets out into a bucket wet. A little perspiration around the head and neck happens to EVERYONE. The room could have been warm, or more likely, you were majorly stressing.

Rashes: Probably stress, and very likely your hypervigilance.

Listen to your doctors and stop diagnosing yourself with internet checklists. You don't have a medical license or any of the related experience to do so. You should know how HIV is transmitted, how it is prevented, and the basic symptoms.

Why am I telling you this all matter-of-fact? Because I went through something similar and had the same anxieties and worries and everything else. I was scruitinizing every little thing and it nearly drove me crazy. The only thing that helped was seeing someone for help. If you're not big on pills, you don't have to see a psychiatrist. You can just see a licensed therapist, who can try to help to give you a little perspective on what you're doing and why you feel this way.

Please look into seeing someone, and soon. Good luck, and keep us posted.

Yikes...what about swollen lymph nodes, or pain in the lymph nodes??? can that be caused by stress too???
I have been suffering symptoms for over a month now, and 4 days ago, sore throat and night sweats every night were added to my list of symptoms. How about floaters/blurry vision???

lymph nodes swell for like a million reasons, mine are always swelling up and then going down ya know why! cause i have bad sinus infections and they cause my lymph nodes to react, i dont have HIV was tested at 2 1/2 years after possible exposure and negative I was. some ppl have lymph nodes that are more sensitive then others and so there comes a reaction, my doc even thinx that their is a possibility that this one swollen node that i had on my neck for like 5 years (i thought it was a cyst) might have gotten infected and every once and awhile just causes a reaction, its nothing serious and its nothing to be overly concerned about just one of those things that happens.dont freak over nodes they are one of the meger signs of the illness, ppl got them b4 1981, therefore before AIDS in america

My Lymph nodes swell every time I see that stupid Mitsubishi Car commercial http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif.

Yikes, my temperature may not qualify for fever technically, but my usual body temperature is lower than normal people. During that period, morning temperatures were higher than those of usual mornings and evening temperatures were higher that those of previous evenings. I read that fever is suspected so long as the 'benckmark' of your temperature changes.

Any comments.
TT

can anyone clear my doubt if:
Please suggest?? My 4th week (ELISA) and 8th week Home Access test came -ve so far. But the gland/cyst in my jaw. Let me explain vaguely, If it makes sense. The jaw is like a V shaped bone from the front side. The gland I have is in the middle (Both Side) of "V"adjacent to the bone (almost over the jaw bone) of a pea size.... Please help.
I had protected sex with a women and oral (I did) unprotected for quiet some time.
PLEASE CLEAR MY DOUBT ABOUT THE LYMPH NODE ARE THEY REALLY LYMPH NODE OR SOME CYST?? I AM SURE LOTS OF PEOPLE ON THIS BOARD HAVE KNOWLEDGE/EXPERIENCE WITH LYMPH NODE... PLEASE WRITE SOMETHING DON'T JUST GO AWAY.....

THANKS

Dear Badluck..
I am not a doctor or an authority on HIV. But I can tell you that if you keep taking these tests and everyone comes back negative sooner or later you are going to have to believe them. Stress is a horrid thing, I swear it can take over your body and make it seem like you have any and all kinds of diseases.
You HAVE to chill out, or you could have an emotional breakdown,which could cause you to do all kinds of things like not pay attention when you are driving and hit someone head-on...all you can do is take a test and believe the answer.
I have at times given in to the nagging fear of..."what if..." and yes even to what if I am HIV positive...
but most what if's never even exist. Maybe you could find someone to reassure you in person so you dont feel so alone and afraid..maybe you should seek counseling..if you think your fears are unreasonable maybe you need medical attention for this.
Hang in there...believe in your results..be safe...take care.

Thanks rainflower for the reply. I really appreciate this BUT I AM SURPRISED THAT NO ONE ON THIS BOARD CAN IDENTIFY "WHAT I AM SPECIFYING COULD BE LYMPH NODE" YES/NO...???

Thanks

Lymph nodes, in their NORMAL STATE, (i.e., NOT swollen) are comparable to the size of a pea and somewhat rubbery. Some people are able to palpate (feel) them, some people aren't.

Thanks for reply but I did not get the answer yet as I am looking for the "LOCATION OF LYMPH NODE". Mine in "along the jawline bone" (both side in the middle of jaw line bone, MEANS BOTH SIDE BELOW THE TEATH ALL THE WAY DOWN NOT TOUCHING THE NECK, Does it sounds like lymph node?? I give oral to a women and protected sex.)

Thanks and again I really appreciate everyone who replied to me. It really really mean a lot to me. I am making conclusion based on these replies THAT IS THE ONLY REASON I am asking for more resoponse/reply.

Please follow this link -- Look at the diagram. http://calloso.med.mun.ca/~tscott/head/hnl3a.htm

I really, really, really hope this answers your questions and eases your mind.

[This message has been edited by GloomyDaisy (edited 02-07-2003).]

GloomyDaisy,
Thank you very much to directing me to this site. I sincerly thank you for this.

Regards

No, need to thank me, my friend. That's what we're all here for! I hope viewing the diagram gave you some piece of mind. And if it's any further consolation, I can feel all my lymph nodes in their normal state.

Now, quit your worrying and get on with the good life! http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/wave.gif