Are my Symptoms HIV specific?

[edsman]

Hi Guys,

I fully intend to get tested soon (I'm just getting over the fear). I would just like to share with you my story though and I will keep you updated after my test.

I am a mid-twenties bi male. My only sexual encounters with men have been in public toilets and bath houses..... Yes I know... I'm disgusted with myself and as of around 2 months ago, I no longer take part in risky behavior.

I have given around 50 blowjobs but only swallowed (well, it was forced down me) once. I have had anal sex (as a bottom / receiving) 5 times. The first two were protected and I tested negative 3 and 6 months after each exposure.

Now comes the really bad part. The last three times I have been on the bottom, the condom broke twice and the other time, he didn't ejaculate in me. (The other two times, the man I was with ejaculated inside of me. this was in a bathhouse so it's very high risk).

I have not been tested since this happened, these events happened a few months apart from each other (maybe in the last 6 months?) I am honestly struggling to remember exactly when this happened, it could have even been the last 3 months for all I know.

As of last week I had night sweats, I was cold (wearing 4 sweaters), my body ached, I lost a bit of my appetite and I head a headache whenever I moved my head but I did NOT get a sore throat and my nodes were NOT swollen. Most of the symptoms passed in around 4 - 5 days but 10 days later, I still have a runny nose
and a cough that makes me bring up phlegm.

This could easily be the flu or any number of other things.

My question is, assuming the timing is right for seroconversion, do these symptoms suggest HIV?

I will be brave enough to get a test soon, I'm just a bit nervous of a positive result.

This experience is making me rethink my life choices, I will no longer be hooking up with men of a questionable background.

Thanks for listening. I will keep everyone updated.

x

[Jeff G]

We do not discuss symptoms because they are not specific to HIV ,  and because the only way to know your HIV status is to test at the appropriate time . The window period for testing is 6 weeks past any possible exposure and again at 3 months to confirm the result . Since you have put yourself at risk for HIV you need to test at the appropriate time . 

Anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care checkup, including but not limited to HIV testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine checkups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine HIV tests to return with negative results.

Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than HIV. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid HIV infection. It really is that simple!