Qualified Medical Doctor's Answer To Common Questions

Question: I am having pimples on my face after I had a risky exposure 1 week back. I am afraid that this means I am infected with HIV. Answer: No, this does not mean HIV infection. HIV rash is more diffuse, occurring all over the body, and is commonly seen on the trunk. It is symmetrical. It appears as small pink dots. Associated symptoms such as fever, fatigue, and enlargement of lymph nodes occurring in multiple locations of the body are seen. So, you don't have the typical appearance of HIV rash, neither is the location typical, and there are no associated symptoms.  You should get tested with HIV tests. Symptoms do not diagnose HIV and only tests are conclusive. Also, you won't have symptoms so soon after infection. Stay nice!

Question: I think that I may have been infected after a risky exposure 5 days back. I am now suffering from a sore throat. Is this due to HIV? Answer: There are two periods after HIV infection when symptoms can be seen. Initially, symptoms can appear after an acute infection and this is known as Acute Retroviral Syndrome (ARS). These symptoms are the manifestation of the first response of the body to the infection and are similar to flu symptoms. Fatigue, cold, fever, body ache, and sweating. In addition, there may be enlargement of the lymph nodes in different locations of the body. These symptoms will occur 3 to 4 weeks after infection and will last for a week or two.  So, your symptoms after 5 days are unlikely to be due to HIV. You can relax.  Another phase of symptoms occurs when there is full blown AIDS. This is not something that is relevant to you.  You should get tested after a month with an antibody test. Then repeat the test after 3 mon...