Is A Stiff Neck And Shoulder A Sign Of Acute HIV Infection? Tested Negative, Taken Bactrim

Posted on Thu, 30 Aug 2012

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

Thu, 30 Aug 2012 Answered on

Thu, 20 Sep 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : Is a Stiff Neck/Shoulder a sign of Acute HIV Infection? Exposure was 8/1/2012 tested negative on 8/13/2012 and 8/27/2012 retesting in 2 weeks for six weeks and then in October for 8 weeks and so on for the rest...I got a staph infection on 8/9/12 and I was put on Bactrim after that I have just had a very stiff neck/shoulder on my left side no fever, no swollen lymph nodes (the Dr checked for fever on 8/9/12, 8/15/12, 8/22/12, and 8/28/2012 it was 98.1 or 98.2), I did lose 4 pounds one week but gained it right back the next check up...I do sweat in the nights but only in my groin area but I also do that doing the day that's been going on for years...what could be causing my stiff neck, I have now been off Bactrim for nearly two weeks and the neck pain continues
Dr,

I went to the ER and got a diagnosis of Torticollis for the stiff neck/shoulder

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir (2 hours later)

Answered by Dr. Sudhir (5 hours later)

Hello,

Stiff neck and unilateral shoulder pain with no other associated symptoms is not sign of HIV infection.

Common cause for this is sore muscle,muscle spasm, pinched nerve or as mentioned by ER doctor torticollis. But generally in torticolli you get twisted neck in which the head is tipped to one side, while the chin is turned to the other. If that's not the the case then it's not torticollis.

I think you can try warm heat application,oral pain killers and if needed muscle relaxants for this.These symptoms should resolve in a week or two.

Please ask if there are doubts.Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir (3 hours later)

I had a staph infection on my shoulder and my back...8/9/12
I was put on bactrim and developed a white like coat on my tongue

WWW.WWWW.WW (Thrush)

WWW.WWWW.WW (Tonsils)

but my doctor states more than likely I got it all from the bactrim the stiff neck/shoulder started then as well...

My temperature has been normal 98.1 or 98.2 the entire time and my lymph nodes have not been swollen

Answered by Dr. Sudhir (32 minutes later)

Thanks for the follow up question.

Was it staph infection involving shoulder joint or was infection outside the joint?

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir (13 minutes later)

It was outside of the joint like in the middle of the shoulder and the neck area...then one on the lower back and two on the upper back...

Answered by Dr. Sudhir (2 hours later)

White on tongue is due to bactrim, it's common temporary side effect.

I don't think current neck and shoulder symptoms are because of bactrim.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Sudhir (3 minutes later)

OK then yeah I'm not sure what it is either...the steroid shot from the ER last night helped so far but it's been stiff for a while now about 16 days

Answered by Dr. Sudhir (14 minutes later)

Yes, it's difficult to pin point on particular cause for this. I think you can give try to muscle relaxants. And if symptoms still continue then get a MRI done to have look at shoulder and neck structures.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar