“Is it a common cold/flu or something more serious?”
Hello,
I am currently experiencing symptoms of what I think is acute sinusitis. 5 days ago I started sneezing a lot, like as if I had seasonal allergies (it’s winter). The next morning I woke up sneezing again and fatigued. Throughout the day I felt more congested and tired. At night I began to shiver and have chills. I was cold but my body was warm, yet I had no fever. The next morning I woke up with muscle weakness and a cough. I stayed in bed all day. The next day I was coughing more but my body was not in pain anymore. I did have nasal congestion and a headache due to the nasal congestion. I was coughing up mucus though. Today I just have nasal congestion and a minor headache because of it. I took a COVID test and it is negative. Through this sickness I’ve been taking sudafed, mucinex, NyQuil, and zicam (not all at once).
What is worrying me is, I had a possible exposure to HIV back in early September. I tested about 4-5 times because of the anxiety I have surrounding the situation. Fortunately all tests are non-reactive. (For context the tests done were the antibodies/antigen test for HIV 1 and 2). My most recent screening for STIs was done at the end of November. The Ab/Ag test for HIV 1 and 2 came back non reactive. This recent time though, my doctor also ordered HIV 1 and 2 RNA NAA Qualitative tests. Those came back non-reactive as well.
Im starting to get really anxious anytime I begin to feel the tiniest bit of fatigue. I started therapy because of this situation.
My question is, is my current illness most likely a common infection that will go away on its own or is it possibly an early sign of HIV? Should I get tested again? And when can I stop worrying about this situation? When can I stop testing? I haven’t been with anyone since the possible exposure date.
Thank you,
I am currently experiencing symptoms of what I think is acute sinusitis. 5 days ago I started sneezing a lot, like as if I had seasonal allergies (it’s winter). The next morning I woke up sneezing again and fatigued. Throughout the day I felt more congested and tired. At night I began to shiver and have chills. I was cold but my body was warm, yet I had no fever. The next morning I woke up with muscle weakness and a cough. I stayed in bed all day. The next day I was coughing more but my body was not in pain anymore. I did have nasal congestion and a headache due to the nasal congestion. I was coughing up mucus though. Today I just have nasal congestion and a minor headache because of it. I took a COVID test and it is negative. Through this sickness I’ve been taking sudafed, mucinex, NyQuil, and zicam (not all at once).
What is worrying me is, I had a possible exposure to HIV back in early September. I tested about 4-5 times because of the anxiety I have surrounding the situation. Fortunately all tests are non-reactive. (For context the tests done were the antibodies/antigen test for HIV 1 and 2). My most recent screening for STIs was done at the end of November. The Ab/Ag test for HIV 1 and 2 came back non reactive. This recent time though, my doctor also ordered HIV 1 and 2 RNA NAA Qualitative tests. Those came back non-reactive as well.
Im starting to get really anxious anytime I begin to feel the tiniest bit of fatigue. I started therapy because of this situation.
My question is, is my current illness most likely a common infection that will go away on its own or is it possibly an early sign of HIV? Should I get tested again? And when can I stop worrying about this situation? When can I stop testing? I haven’t been with anyone since the possible exposure date.
Thank you,
Male | 23 years old
1 Answer
InfectiousDiseaseSpecialistCold
Maira Jessica Medellin-Peña
Infectious Disease Specialist
For most individuals the tests you perform are accurate after about a month of exposure, but depending on your immunoloical status and to ensure accurate results, maybe retest If you tested too soon after exposure. On the other hand, if you tested end of December or after then you are in the clear, but just ensure that you get information about protection and pre-exposure profilactic measures at your local community health care center. Your symptoms look like a common illness such as cold, flu, mononucleosis, throat infection. If your symptoms do not go away on their own after a week or so, please go to your health care provider so they can test for Streptococcus and if needed prescribe antibiotics. Get Outlook for Android<https://aka.ms/AAb9ysg>
