HIV Seroconversion

[soulium]

I have a pretty strange sensation in the throat:

I had BBBJ and covered vaginal sex with 2 SPs. (I didn't notice any condom leaks when I pulled out, but I can't be sure) I'm currently having some problems in the throat. The first encounter was about 4.5 weeks ago and the second encounter was 3 weeks ago. The problem has been around for about 10 days. It isn't exactly pain when swallowing or anything else. It feels like the membrane or "skin" of my throat has been scratched. It feels like the I am breathing with my mouth when in fact I am breathing through my nose. I can feel the air going through my throat. I almost can feel the dust settling on my throat. The sensation is heighten when I go to sleep. The discomfort is NOT persistent. Sometimes it happens and sometimes it feels pretty normal. Does it sound like HIV symptom?

I know the window period for HIV test is 3 months, is it possible to get an accurate reading earlier??? I feel so stressed, anxious and paranoid about it. Its gonna be a long long wait.....

Thanks HN

 

[Health Nurse]

Hi soulium

It is difficult for us to diagnose conditions over the internet but I can give you some suggestions based on what you have written.

What you have described does not sound like symptoms to HIV. I don't know your full sexual history but from the sex you described I would not be concerned about HIV e.g. Receiving oral sex and protected vaginal sex. Your biggest risk would be to things like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis.

The standard HIV test which is offered in BC at your doctors office will take the full 3 months to know for sure but it can give you a good result at 6 weeks (95%).

I know it can be stressful waiting for the window period and the test results to come back. Another option is at our Vancouver STI clinics we have a HIV test available for men as part of a study that is 90% accurate by 2 weeks. Here is a link to the clinics.
http://healthnurse.wordpress.com/faq-about-sexual-health/4-sti-clinic-locations/vancouver/

You could also see a doctor about your throat symptoms and see what they say.


That is the answer for the above question, for anyone else reading I just wanted to say that it can be difficult when you are looking at information on the internet as it seems like they have linked any possible symptom to HIV. I can see how this can really stress people out. I usually recommend to people that they do not worry about the symptoms so much but think that they are worried about HIV because of a risk that happened and that they should go for a test or talk to someone about this.

I also wanted to mention risk tolerance. Sex feeling good at the time and feeling good about the sex afterwards are two components of having a positive sexual experience. If any of these two things are not good it may be worthwhile looking at why. I just mention this as I have noticed people who come to the clinic and do not feel good about the experience because they have gone over their risk tolerance. Here is a link on more info.
http://healthnurse.wordpress.com/faq-about-sexual-health/risk-tolerance/

HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.bccdc.ca
www.stiresource.com

 

[soulium]

Thanks HN,

I'll just briefly describe my sexual history. (HIV negative prior to Aug.)Over the last 3 months, I have only had sex 3 times. All 3 sex partners were SP and every time it was BBBJ and covered vaginal sex. I know its very difficult to diagnose conditions, but it may give you more information to judge my symptoms. My throat feels like the membrane or "skin" has been scratched off, so sometimes I get a scratchy feeling and maybe a bit sore but sometimes it feels normal. Not (very) painful. I will go get a test in about 2 weeks. So 5 weeks after the last time I had sex would be good for the rapid HIV test? (i'll definitely get retest at the 3 months mark)

What does HIV symptoms feels like cuz sore throat is on the list?

Thank a lot!

 

[soulium]

Hi soulium


You could also see a doctor about your throat symptoms and see what they say.


HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.bccdc.ca
www.stiresource.com

I went to see my doctor, but I didn't tell him about my encounters with the 2 Korean micro SPs. My doctors says it may be some mild influenza or caused by the changing weather or dry air. After 2 weeks, my throat is perfectly normal now.

 

[Health Nurse]

I went to see my doctor, but I didn't tell him about my encounters with the 2 Korean micro SPs. My doctors says it may be some mild influenza or caused by the changing weather or dry air. After 2 weeks, my throat is perfectly normal now.

Hi soulium

Glad to hear that you are feeling better.

5 weeks after the last time you had sex would be a good time for the rapid HIV test (the INSTI test).

I just heard yesterday that we are changing the window period for the combined HIV test that we have at our Vancouver clinics. The test is an antibody test and a pooled NAAT test. It is 90% accurate by 2 weeks and you would know for sure at 6 weeks.

As this test is part of a study it is only available for men or transgender people at our Vancouver clinics.
http://healthnurse.wordpress.com/faq-about-sexual-health/4-sti-clinic-locations/vancouver/


HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.bccdc.ca
www.stiresource.com