[Guest]

About one year ago I had a very high risk exposure in Cuba (also very stupid)(unprotected intercoarse with a prostitute). After about 6 days my lymph glands under my jaw began to swell on both sides. I ran a low grade fever, I had night sweats of and on for weeks. My lymph nodes in my groin swelled and became painful on the left side. Within 6 to 8 weeks I had sore inflamed gums where the gums meet the teeth. I also have pain in my calves and weekness in my arms and hands to this day. I also still have the swollen glands. They have remained swollen and tender. I had an HIV test at a local STD clinic after 12 wks, another at 16 wks and one at 6 months. All were negative. I have had a biopsy on my glands and nothing was found. I have had all kinds of tests for diseases such as cat scratch fever. Is it possible that these HIV tests were false negatives ? Is there some HIV sub type in Cuba that these tests would'nt pick up ? (I also have a reduced sense of feeling in my nose, ears and eye browes or perhaps I could describe it as a slight burning sensation.) Any suggestions or comments would be appreciated. Thank you , Please reply.

[Guest]

Your symptoms are very typical of hiv. The tests could be false negative, though this is very rare. You should go see an aids expert in your region (listed on the web at aahivm.org). That way an expert can work this through with you. I'd check a viral load to rule this out. If that's negative, then you need to look for other causes of swollen glands. I suggest an aids expert because they're good at the differential diagnosis of hiv (what else besides hiv causes illness like hiv). The time course and the swollen glands are worrysome. The cramps and numbness are not. GR
[quote] About one year ago I had a very high risk exposure in Cuba (also very stupid)(unprotected intercoarse with a prostitute). After about 6 days my lymph glands under my jaw began to swell on both sides... [/quote]