Very serious symptoms and concern!

[guruantarsingh]

So here's my situation... Last Weds. night I was drunk and had injected heroin intravenously. This was a first time mistake and very much the last time as well. However, the needle was used previously by someone else which I knew at the time. I had disinfected it with bleach as well as the cooker (spoon). On Friday, I began to get mild headaches and diarrhea as well as uncomfortable pains in my neck and knees. Saturday, I was vomiting and the headaches became more severe. Cold sweats came into the mix that night. It is now Sunday and I am running a 104 fever and I've dropped 4 pounds since I last weighed myself last Monday and all of the previously mentioned symptoms have gotten worse. I am aware that these symptoms are not uncommon with the beginning stages of HIV and I'm also aware that they are not HIV specific. I now have to wait 6 months before I can even find out if the worse is true or not. My question for you all is, are there any proactive ways to find out any facts before that time? I am very stressed out and highly upset about this whole, careless act of disregard on my part. From what I can see, your site is bringing a lot of awareness and support to a lot of people and I appreciate any suggestions at all. Thank you immensely.

[guruantarsingh]

As an FYI, I also have Hypothyroidism which weakens the immune system gravely.

[Matty the Damned]

Sharing injecting equipment is always a bad idea.

The fact that you used bleach to clean the syringe and spoon makes it quite unlikely any HIV in the works survived. If I were you I'd be more worried about Hepatitis C infection (HCV) than HIV from this. Nevertheless I recommend that you see a doctor without delay and arrange to be screened for HIV, HCV, HBV (Hepatitis B) at the appropriate times. The window period for HIV infection is 3 months, for HCV it can be up to 6 months.

Your doctor may also arrange to have you screened for syphilis, which has a window period of 3 months. Make sure he does a specific treponemal test (STS), not just an RPR or VDRL.

Used needles can also transmit any number of other infectious organisms, particularly bacterial diseases so your current symptoms could be a result of something else - thus you should see a doctor.

If you inject drugs in the future please make sure you use only sterile needles and syringes.

MtD

[guruantarsingh]

Thank you... I was told by many sources that while the window for HIV may be 3 months for sexually transmitted cases, the window for intravenous drug users is 6 months.

[RapidRod]

 6 months is for chronic IV drug abusers. (everyday users).

[guruantarsingh]

Well, I have arranged to have an Orasure test done on Thursday to assure myself that I have been previously negative. I suppose all I can do at the moment is schedule a 3 month blood test and perhaps get a viral count done now. The pains in my joints are continuing to get worse and I've developed a rather wretched cough which isn't helping my headaches. From your knowledge, what percent of people who have contracted HIV exhibit symptoms of ARS? My doctor told me today that it's very uncommon for symptoms to develop within 3 days but because my immune system is shot already that it is a possibility. He is only a primary care physician so I'd like some expert advise. Thanks so much for your help thus far.

[Andy Velez]

No matter what the circumstances of a possible infection, symptoms are never to be relied upon as a means of knowing one's status. Getting tested at the appropriate time -- 13 weeks after the most recent risky incident -- is what the CDC recommends.

As Rod has pointed out to you, a single instance of intravenous use is not like chronic use. The latter is when testing at 6 months is recommended.

Given what you have described I think the odds are in your favor to ultimately test negative. Matty is spot on about the other tests you need to have done. And you need to learn from this experience. Your personal devils went wild and put you at risk. Think about whether you need some professional help to ensure that doesn't happen again.

Good luck with your HIV test.