HomeAnswersVenereologyhivCan HIV symptoms occur within a month of exposure?

Can HIV symptoms occur within a month of exposure?

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

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Published At August 11, 2018
Reviewed AtDecember 18, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I fear I may have contracted HIV. A month back, I had oral sex and regular sex from an unknown girl. Three days later, I started to feel very sick, headache, cold in warm weather, tired, diarrhea, sweating in bed (I thought this could be food poisoning). A week later I felt better but had breakouts on my whole back (thought maybe from sweating in bed and training in severe heat the past week). A week back, I felt fine most of the day but once 4 PM hit, my throat started to hurt, I had a severe headache, cold sweats, very tired, fever at 102 F. Felt better by the next night except for the throat which still hurts when swallowing. My neck feel kind of stiff as well. I wondered how much stress can play a factor in producing symptoms, because the first time I was extremely stressed for a couple hours about something and the second time the same thing. And I mean extremely stressed out and anxious, thinking alot, heart racing, etc. I of course will get a test but fear it is too early to show a positive result if it happens to be.

Answered by Dr. Sushil Kakkar

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I have noted your concern. Unprotected oral sex is not much of a risk. The only risk factor involved here is regular sex. The breakout on your back looks like acne (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Your throat symptoms and other systemic symptoms could be just part of throat infection. Isuggest you take a fourth generation Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) screening test at four weeks from your risk exposure with the girl of unknown HIV status. That would be conclusive.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Sushil Kakkar
Dr. Sushil Kakkar

Dermatology

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