Question 1

I'm worried about HIV and was wondering what the symptoms are if you test positive. Also, is there any possibility of a cure? I'd really like to know how I can protect myself from this disease.

Accepted Answer

HIV positive symptoms are mostly non specific. About two-thirds of people experience a flu-like illness within 2 to 4 weeks of infection. Symptoms include: 
Fever 
Chills 
Rash 
Night sweats 
Muscle aches 
Sore throat 
Fatigue 
Swollen lymph nodes 
Mouth ulcers.  Treatment is there if one get diagnosed with HIV positive. There are several ways to reduce the risk of HIV infection, including: 
Condoms: Use a condom correctly every time you have sex, especially with partners who are HIV positive or whose HIV status is unknown. 
Limit sexual partners: Reduce the number of sexual partners you have. 
Get tested: Get tested for HIV and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 
PrEP: Take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), an HIV prevention medicine, daily or as a long-acting injection. PrEP is only available by prescription from a licensed health care provider. 
PEP: Take post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) within 72 hours of a possible exposure to HIV. 
Avoid sharing needles: Never share needles, syringes, or other drug injection equipment. If you can't access new equipment, you can sterilize what you have. 
Harm reduction services: Use harm reduction services for people who inject and use drugs. 
Male circumcision: Get a voluntary medical male circumcision.

Question 2

Hey, I've got a question about the P24 antigen antibody test. If I take it a month after possible exposure, will the results be conclusive for HIV, or should I consider getting another type of test too? I'm anxious to know how accurate it really is at that point.

Accepted Answer

The P24 antigen-antibody duo test is highly accurate when done after one month of potential exposure, as it detects both the HIV virus and antibodies. However, for a conclusive result, it's recommended to confirm with a follow-up test, such as the HIV RNA PCR test or another antibody test, at 3 months post-exposure.

Question 3

I'm really worried about my mom. She's a diabetic patient and recently had some pain and inflammation in her right underarm. We went to a breast center where they did a mammogram with contrast, and the report said something about necrotic right axillary lymphadenopathy, described as BIRADS 4, and suggested a biopsy. They also mentioned some masses in her right breast, probably benign, and suggested to follow up in 6 months. There was also a simple cyst in her left breast and retroareolar duct ectasia in the right one, but they said it's benign.

After that, she had a USG guided FNAC, and it came back with something called necrotising granulomatous lymphadenitis, which they said could mean TB. But we did all the TB tests like AFB smear, pus stain, X-ray, AFB stain, culture, and gene xpert, and everything was negative. They also did a biopsy by removing a lymph node, and it showed no malignancy. The doctor mentioned there were many lymph nodes, and a few had pus, so they checked for infections like HIV, HCV, and HBsAg, and those were negative too.

I'm trying to understand why she has multiple lymph nodes, some with pus, and if this is something serious. Should we be seeing a specific specialist or doing any additional tests? This is so worrying, and we're not sure what steps to take next.

Accepted Answer

consult rheumatologist  immunologist

The recent onset of warm arms and hands in your sister, despite normal body temperature and overall well-being, could be related to her ongoing anti-tuberculosis treatment (ATT), particularly Rifampin, which can cause flushing and warmth;

More Infectious Disease Health Queries

I'm worried about HIV and was wondering what the symptoms are if you test positive. Also, is there any possibility of a cure? I'd really like to know how I can protect myself from this disease.

Hey, I've got a question about the P24 antigen antibody test. If I take it a month after possible exposure, will the results be conclusive for HIV, or should I consider getting another type of test too? I'm anxious to know how accurate it really is at that point.

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