Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date. About 15 weeks ago I had a somewhat risky experience - oral sex both receiving and giving with someone who I just met. There was no ejaculation and possibly some precum but I don't remember any (he could have had sores/blood in his mouth - there were none visible on his penis; or could he have had semen on his penis from before we had our experience). The time of insertion was a max of 20 seconds each - I felt bad not knowing him and stopped the experience.
About 2 weeks later I noticed raised bumps (never got open sores) on my penis, they are sometimes best described as burning or itchy - not a major distraction. My doctor has prescribed a steroid creme and they are still there - not all the time as noticeable. About 4 weeks after that (total 6 weeks after the encounter) I got white bumps under the mucous membrane of my inner upper lip (they're not really raised but I feel them when I push my lip against my tongue and you can see them (is this possibly Herpes?). I also got pink raised bumps on the side (towards the back, the they stick up as much as maybe 1/4inch) and back of my tongue and white stuff in the back of my throat, and a sore throat. The bumps on the side and back of my throat do not scrape off, so it doesn't seem like thrush. My doctor took a culture and the white stuff was strep - he prescribed Biaxin and that went away but the bumps are still there.
I also became pretty fatigued at that time and lost my appetite and lost several pounds over a 6-8 week period (not sure how many but maybe 12 or so), swollen glands at times, maybe a fever but not sure. I tested for Syphilis and Gonorrhea and both came back negative. I tested for HIV at 6 weeks (state health department test HIV/HCV panel, HIV IEIA) after the encounter and again at 12 weeks and 1 day - both tests were non-reactive (I got back the 12 week and 1 day test last week). I still have fatigue and don't like to do much activity - some of it may be just mental stress and depression because I feel so bad about the event even occurring, but it may be a medical issue. My appetite has come back pretty good and food tastes better - I have probably gained a couple of pounds back.
If this is Acute Retroviral [Syndrome] Symtoms it sure is lasting a long time. I also tested for hepatitis - negative. Is 12 weeks and 1 day and negative HIV results good? Have I made it through the "window" period? My doctor has no idea what to do - I've done other blood work and everything seems ok but my doctor isn't sure what to do. He's concerned and I am too...Any thoughts?
Also, my boyfriend who is on all kinds of heart medication, muscle relaxers, and allergy medication, got a rash on his chest (raised red bumps) about 8 weeks after my encounter. During the 14 weeks since the encounter we only used a condom for anal sex which is the way we always have been and he did not perform oral sex on me (I don't think I did on him either). His doctor prescribed steroid creme and the rash did not go away so he went to a dermatologist who said the bumps were a reaction to his new heart medication. He prescribed antibiotics and the bumps were gone in about 6 weeks (if it is an ARS rash, it seems to have taken longer than what I've read is the normal time but it is also a strong coincidence).Thanks for your help!
Rodger MacArthur, M.D.
Wayne State University
Division of Infectious Diseases
In general, oral receptive and oral insertive sex is considered "safer sex". That is, the risk of giving or acquiring HIV from those activities is very low (approaching zero). There are, however, other sexually transmitted diseases that can be given/acquired from oral sex. The list includes gonorrhea, syphilis, herpes, to name just a few. The symptoms you describe do not seem to be consistent with the acute retroviral syndrome (especially in the absence of high fever). The bumps on your penis could be fungal (candida species or a dermatophyte), or they could be a manifestation of herpes simplex virus. Some of your signs may be noticeable as a result of your increased attention following your encounter (in other words, some of the bumps in your throat may have been there all along, and are of no concern). Another possibility is that the bumps are a manifestation of exzema, but the lack of response to a steroid-containing cream suggests that this possibility is not likely. There are certain bacterial infections that can be acquired from oral sex, but they are very uncommon, and the absence of a fever suggests that you have not acquired them. The rash on your boyfriend's chest seems unlikely to be related to your previous oral sex episode in any way. If the bumps are still present on your penis, you may wish to have your doctor prescribe a course of acyclovir to treat for the possibility of herpes.
AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, John M. Lloyd Foundation, Roche and Trimeris, the National Library of Medicine, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, Bristol-Myers Squibb Company, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.
Copyright ©1980, 2003. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.