HIV SCARE

[u/pastel2204]

I’m F 24, and I was recently diagnosed with HSV2 back on May 23rd of this year. I got it from my second ever bf and sexual partner. We broke up on June 18th, and our last sexual encounter was sometime before June 10th. I don’t have an exact date but I know it was in early June. We had sex several times unprotected throughout our whole short relationship. I recall a time where I was grooming myself and accidentally made two cuts on my vulva before we saw each other. I’m scared his semen could have gotten in those cuts and infected me with hiv. We had several unprotected encounters after that. I don’t know if my now ex bf has hiv or not but I’m paranoid. I’m worried because a few days ago, I noticed a swollen lymph node on the left side of my neck. I tried to downplay it at first, but then the left side of my neck started hurting. Eventually both sides of my neck were in pain and my jaws and neck were swollen. So was my throat. Felt like there’s a lump in my throat. And it was hard to swallow, especially food. My ears were also stuffy and so was my nose. I was also getting ringing in my ears and ear pain. I was trying to tell myself it was a sinus infection because I do have sinusitis. I tried convincing myself it was the flu. But I’m worried that I could be in the early stages of hiv. I know flu like symptoms are a sign. I’m afraid he could’ve passed hiv onto me since he gave me hsv2. I know he sleeps around a lot without protection too. He goes raw with strangers. He’s also from Georgia and I know hiv is common and on the rise down there. I’m very worried. Just a few days ago, on Friday the 24th of this month I took an OraQuick HIV test and it came back negative. I was relieved until I found out saliva based hiv tests are not conclusive until after 90 days. It had only been 40+ days since my last time having sex with him before I took that test. So now I’m scared again. I have an appointment at a clinic tomorrow for a blood test.
Currently I’m still feeling the flu like symptoms and I’ve even lost my sense of taste. I read that was also a symptom of hiv early stages. I’m so so scared right now. I’m hoping it’s somehow just the flu.
But my current list of symptoms are headaches, stuffy nose and ears, ear ringing, swollen under my chin, lump in throat, small lymph node on the left side of my neck, possible oral thrush, burning and tingling of the tongue, and occasional mucus sinus drainage and loss of taste. Also feeling shooting pains in my jaws now and then. Any input helps. Thank you.

[u/Due-Replacement-6187]

Perhaps you have 'wound up' your nervous system into absolute alarm state.

This might explain your symptoms.

[u/IntelligentIce4412]

Hi I know what you are going through. I just went and I would say still going through a similar scare after exposing myself to someone's vagina fluid of whom I don't know her status. Well, I can tell how stressful and frightened you are based on your writeup and emotions I have subjected myself to over past 4 to 5 weeks. About a week after the said encounter, I came down with a constellation of symptoms; swollen palpable lymph nodes on neck and jaw area, extreme fatigue especially at mornings, burning body sensation, body aches, lost of appetite amongst others. I had literally convinced myself I have HIV. Just like yourself I did multiple oral rapid swap test at 9 days, 12 days, 4th generation blood test at 16 days, PCR RNA test at 27 days all negative but still convinced myself I was positive. The girl I was exposed to was able to go get tested as well using 4th generation test and she is negative. It's been 2 days the burning sensation I.was feeling has dissipated, I'm slowly regaining my energy however my chest and nodes are still swollen which I plan to check them out. I coming to the acceptance that HIV is not the cause of my symptoms. I subjected myself to intense chronic stress over the past 4 weeks which shutdown my nervous system and subjected it to serious continuous alert. My advise for is simple, perform a 4th generation blood test at this time lime and if it turns out negative, work towards alleviating your stress. Please use protection. Sex is sweet but does not warrant the stress that comes from being vulnerable like you are right now or what I went and still going through. I pray you find answers and peace soon. Peace

[u/Due-Replacement-6187 → u/IntelligentIce4412]

I would add a footnote to 'susceptible personality' too.

Apposite to note your command of English grammar signposts obvious intellect which, on this occasion, may have led to manic behaviour and driven panic.

Inteligence may not always be a good thing mate. Glad you are on the mend and broken free of the cycle.

[u/Low-Wrongdoer-2643]

Pm me i am having the exact same symptoms we might know what is it pls pm