Expert: Terry B - 5/30/2007

Question
Hi it's me again how severe do symptoms have to be create concern in the acute stage, I have generally been depressed, fatigued and have experienced abnormal sensations in my joints and muscles since my encounter and does the presence of certain symptoms such as lymphedenopathy and sore throat indicate more concern because I have attributed the depression to various other emotional factors such as guilt and the joint and muscle sensations to not being accustomed to using certain muscle groups please help

Answer
Dear Mandeza:

First of all, peace.  As you seem well aware, sadness and guilt can manifest in physical symptoms, and any illness and pain impacts our mental status.  Anxiety and fear also create stress, and this stress, in turn, reduces our immune response.

There are many infections and illnesses which cause or contribute to the symptoms you describe.  Primary (acute) HIV infection may produce such symptoms as well, but even in high HIV prevalence areas, it is more likely that these symptoms are from another source.  

I highly recommend that you seek out a health professional for diagnosis and treatment.  If you are not infected with HIV (and your risk was low), you can be assessed and treated for your non-HIV illness.  If you are infected, you will be able to access the many increasingly effective treatments for HIV and prevention of opportunistic infections.  I am having lunch tomorrow with a friend diagnosed HIV positive in 1991.  

In either case, knowledge is really your greatest asset, and fear your greatest enemy at this point.  Visiting a counseling and testing center would help you at least learn your HIV status; seeing a competent health professional would provide you access not only to testing for HIV and sexually transmitted infections, but also potential referrals to treat your other symptoms - including anxiety and described depression.

Please take action for your health and that of your loved ones.  See your health professional.

I wish you better health and continued courage.

Sincerely,

Terry