Are Headache, Neck Pain And Red Rashes Signs Of HIV Infection?

Posted on Sat, 27 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 27 Jun 2015 Answered on

Mon, 20 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Dear Sir,

I had a sexual relation (Not intercourse, No Oral Sex, No Kiss, Only touching the private areas) with a female sex worker 2 years back.
I have not felt any problem earlier Now I am feeling headache, neck pain, red blotches / rash (Not filled with water) on my skin from couple of days.
I have not tested for HIV yet.
I have seen in internet that such symptoms are might be of AIDS and i am afraid now as I am having a past incident like this.
What should I do now?
Is it possible for getting affected after long days?

Answered by Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
better get tested for HIV to rule out any chances

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Welcome to HCM.
This is Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta answering your query.

I have gone through your query and understand your concern.
The symptoms you have mentioned are very nonspecific, but may be initial presenting symptoms of hiv too. Other viral diseases like flu, dengue etc are more common though. Still as you have previous history of exposure( though unlikely) and as hiv can have clinical presentations even after years of exposure, hence I would advise you to get tested for hiv. It is just as a precautionary measure and it is unlikely that it will come as positive. So dont worry.

Hope this was useful.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta (1 hour later)

These are the type of rash are coming out.
Kindly brief me that what are the Test require to do right now to rule out any chances?

Answered by Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
follow as advised

Detailed Answer:
Hello.

As I had already said, the test for HIV is just precautionary.
Hiv testing kits are available. Otherwise antibody tests for HIV 1 and 2 and combined can be done in any laboratory. These are rapid tests and you get the results within a day.

Wish you good health.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta (3 hours later)

Dear Doctor,

I am planning for Hiv test tomorrow.
Is it require empty stomach for the test?
I am having a symptom of drowsiness and eye pain also. Do these are also associated with hiv?
Should I go for cd4 test and viral load test along with it?
Is there any treatment available for Hiv / Aids in india?

Answered by Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
follow as advised

Detailed Answer:
Hello.

Empty stomach is not mandatory. If possible you can give blood in empty stomach but it wont affect test results.
This are nonspecific symptoms too and can occur in viral infection. Get a dengu serology test done too.
You do not need other tests like viral load or CD4 count right now. Only do the preliminary one.
Treatment of HIV is mostly symptomatic in XXXXXXX No specific cure is yet to be found.

Dont worry. Relax.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj