Can my sore throat after sex be a sign of seroconversion?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had protected intercourse eight weeks ago with a person of unknown status. However, I did not check if the condom was leaking or if there was a hole in it. One week after the exposure, I had a sore throat that went away within a day. I started PEP (Post - Exposure Prophylaxis) treatment after 14 days, even though I knew it was too late. Six weeks after the exposure, I had a duo test and a rapid antibody test, both of which came out negative. Therefore, I want to ask the following questions: Can a sore throat be a sign of seroconversion? Assuming I already seroconverted after one week and then started PEP, will the negative result at six weeks be a false negative?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and can understand your concern. Sore throat is very common in cold and hot weather, and by drinking cold drinks. However, it does not necessarily mean seroconversion. Do a hot saline gargle before meals two times daily. I suggest taking the tablet Azithromycin 500 mg once a day for three to five days and the tablet Signoflam (Aceclofenac, Paracetamol and Serratiopeptidase) two times a day after food for three to five days. However, please consult a physician, discuss with them and start taking the medications with their consent. If tests are negative, and you had protected sex, then no HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. However, it may be a reason if you had a deep kiss. So it would be best if you went for a western blot test. If that comes negative, then there is no possibility of HIV infection.

Hope this helps.

Thank you and take care.