Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2005. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.



Question:

Hello, I hope you can give me some help with symptons experienced recently. I'm a married bi-sexual male. I am 6' 0" and weigh about 16st. For the past 12 yrs I have been having regular unprotected sex with another man. I have not had sex with any other men during this time.

In November 2004 I visited my doctor because I was always feeling fatigued and suffered pains in joints. I had blood tested and everything was ok. But recently I have started to sweat during the day, my muscles/joints ache and I have noticed small blisters (rash) on my legs.

I do a demanding physical job but the sweating has only just started. Also I have been buying viagra for use with my pal. My wife does not know about my " other life" and I do not want to visit my doc. Could I have HIV if my blood count was fine in November ?

Thanking you in anticipation.

Answer provided by Daniel H. Bowers, M.D.:


Dear Reader:
I can't tell from your message whether or not an HIV test was done. You just said that the blood work was "OK".

There is no substitute for an HIV test to determine if you are positive. It is completely possible to be HIV positive and have normal routine blood test results. If you are not comfortable asking your regular doctor for an HIV test, you should investigate if there is a public STD (sexually transmitted disease) clinice where you can get checked. I would also recommend that syphilis be checked too.

The symptoms of fatigue and muscle maches are associated with so many medical conditions that you should not assume that HIV is the cause. Likewise a blister rash on the legs doesn't clue me into HIV either.


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