white blood cell count and worried

[andy100]

Hello,

I know there are lots of posts on this, but please, please bare with me.

3-4 weeks ago i got a handjob from a woman in a massage place. (i am 99.9% sure this was all that happened).

2 weeks ago - i got fever symptoms and completely lost my appetite - i couldn't eat a thing, nothing. I felt sick throughout the day, and did for around 3 days. My appetite began to come back and i now think it is back to normal.

My lymph glands have come up now, first in my neck quite a lot (and are still up and have been for over a week), then my groins were swollen, and now my armpits hurt. I have been incredibly tired too.

About a week ago, i also discovered that i have picked up Thrush on my penis. I have never, in my life (25 years old) had anything like this, or in fact any of these symptoms.

Surely there are too many coincidences? I also have a question:

I got tested 2 weeks after the event (when i was feeling completely normal), i am going to get test in 3 weeks time (6 weeks after the event), but obviously my white blood cell count will be high anyway won't it (because my lymph glands are up) - How can a test for HIV differentiate between being unwell and specifically having HIV, given that the symptoms could be th same?

I have read that there can be rapid weight loss with HIV - is this weight loss progressive or do you lose your appetite and then get it back?

I am completely and utterly petrified. I cannot work, eat or sleep. I need help. I thought i would be ok from a Handjob - but now i have all of these symptoms.

Thank you.

Andy200

[anniebc]

Whatever it is that is making you feel bad it's not, I repeat NOT HIV..you cannot get HIV from a hand job..please read the lessons here on HIV transmissions then go and see your doctor.

Jan

[Ann]

Andy,

Regardless of how you felt two weeks later, getting a handjob is absolutely NOT a risk for hiv infection. No way, no how, no matter what sort of spin you want to put on it. Not one single person has EVER been infected this way and you certainly won't be the first.

Your white blood cell count has absolutely nothing to do with hiv testing. Hiv testing looks for hiv antibodies, which your own body will produce ONLY IF there is hiv present in your body.

Along with reading our Welcome Thread and following both the Transmission and Testing Lessons, here's what you need to know about how to remain hiv negative:

You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex with a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through all three condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

Although you do NOT need to test over your handjob, anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, 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 check-ups, 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.

Use condoms, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple.

Ann

[andy100]

Thank you both for your responses - i can't tell you how much i appreciate the time you've taken.

I only worry so much, because i am feeling so unwell - and i happened to get thrush - i mean, how can u have so many coincidences?

Anyway, i just hope i remembered everything right. I had had quite a lot to drink - but not a stupid amount (i don't think), i mean you'd remember if you had intercourse wouldn't you? Just feeling pretty bad, physically and scared.

Thank you again for your replies.

Andy100

[RapidRod]

Read the lessons on transmission. You can find the link in the "Welcome" thread.

[Andy Velez]

Andy, you say you have thrush. Was that diagnosed by a doctor or are you self-diagnosing?

Even IF you do have thrush, that is not in any way an HIV specific occurence. And given what you have described of your activities, you weren't at risk for HIV transmission.

Cheers,

[andy100]

Hi,

The thrush was diagnosed by a Dr. I am still petrified. How accurate is HIV testing after 30 days?

So thrush isn't in anyway linked to HIV at all?

Thanks.

Andy100

[RapidRod]

HIV has no specific symptoms. You didn't have a risk and it's time for you to move on.

[Andy Velez]

If there has been a genuinely risky incident and I hasten to add yours WAS NOT SUCH A ONE, then testing is recommended by the CDC at 13 weeks after the most recent such incident. The average time to seroconversion is 22 days and all but the smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after an exposure to the HIV virus.

In your case this is just information to store away. The incident you are bothering yourself about was not one where you were in any way at risk for transmission. Period. End of story.

So forget about testing this time out. It's not necessary.

Cheers,

[andy100]

Thank you for your detailed and helpful responses, they are very much appreciated.

I had an HIV test on the 29th day since the incident, it tested for type I and type II HIV antibodies (but not the p24 antigen, or whatever it is called). She pricked my finger and squeezed enough blood out to carry out the test. They came back negative (the test was instant).

My question is; How accurate is a test after 28 days? The clinic i went to said that you need to wait a minimum of 28 days. I want to put this behind me, so would like to know the accuracy.

Many, many thanks, Andy100. 

[RapidRod]

Conclusive because you didn't have a risk.

[Matty the Damned]

Well Andy100 in your case the result is 100% accurate.

As you've been told you didn't have a risk therefore you will test negative. It's all pretty straightforward stuff.

Matty the Damned hereby gives you permission to put this behind you.

MtD

[Andy Velez]

Andy, are you listening to what is being said to you or are you only listening to the idea in your head that you had an exposure to HIV?

Because you didn't have an exposure. You were not at risk as several have told you. Repeatedly.

Testing wasn't necessary in the first place.

Get it?

Nor is any further testing necessary.

Get on with your life and keep your condoms handy for when you have intercourse and you'll be fine as far as sex and HIV are concerned.

Cheers,

[andy100]

Hi,

Thank you all for your responses, they are very much appreciated, genuinely so. I know you must find it frustrating [my attitude], and i can see where you are coming from. However what i would say is this; in my last reply, i had a genuine inquiry - the validity of that inquiry is not lessoned in anyway, because of my personal situation. And as such, thought an answer, not entirely out of the question. I could have made up my situation, i could have no situation, i could have a very serious situation (it doesn't matter) - because i had a question, which i thought was legitimate - regardless of my ignorant, unenlightened or uneducated view, or just plain panicking.

However, i would like to extend a thank you to everyone who has replied - it is appreciated.

Andy100

[Andy Velez]

OK, to answer your specific question, we still go with the CDC's position about testing.

That means for a reliable and conclusive test result you need to test at 13 weeks past the most recent questionable incident.