Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Are Petechiae, Anemia And Severe Cough Symptoms Of HIV?
Question: Hi, as I write this I am shaking from fear I may have HIV. I know I should get tested but that is terrifying me too. My last sexual encounter was January, it's now October. I had a strong flu in XXXXXXX but I had just come back from tropic weather to very very cold weather and every one around me at work were sick. In September I noticed petechiae on both my inner fore arms, a few more on my right. They went after a few days. A few weeks ago I noticed some on my upper inner thighs. Also went after a few day. Yesterday I noticed one about 4mm, the biggest yet on the outside of my right thigh just above a vein that runs down the side. I had a recent FBC and was told my iron was 4 so started taking iron supplements. But I had to chase this up with the doc as she missed it. Haven't asked about platelet count but I'm terrified it's some sort of hiv thing. Prior to my last encounter I had been with a guy who is quite active sexually which worries me a bit. He's never ejaculated inside me, even with oral sex but you never know if somehow something got in! I also have extreme anxiety now after I started thinking about having hiv and mainly due to this guy as we're still mates and he always seems to be sick with a bad cough etc. Guess I want to ask what my risk level is and given my last encounter was 10 months ago, bad cold at 6 months, petechiae at 9-10 months and still going, and iron low????????? I have also started bush walking a lot recently which I'm not used to and due to the low iron at times really exert myself. Can that cause them on your arms and inner thighs? I've had them before but many years ago and dismissed them on my arms. Never had them in my inner thighs. Other than that I think I'm healthy enough. 38yr old female.
Brief Answer:
Recommendations
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Your symptoms of petechiae, iron deficiency anemia, and 1 bad cold are not typical presentations for HIV infections. With HIV, we see more of a chronic fluishness, oral yeast infections, swollen lymph glands, low grade fevers, unexplained diarrhea, and weight loss.
About the petechiae, this isn't a typical presentation for HIV, but if you are getting a lot of them, it should be looked into. That they have been isolated to certain regions at any given time, such as both inner thighs, or both inner forearms, is more consistent with minor bruising to the area from some physical trauma or pressure you may not have been aware of. Petechiae that are from vascular disease, or low platelets, usually occur all over the body at the same time. Not always, but it is more often that way. Regardless, I would show this to your doctor.
I can understand that increased exertion from bush walking is making you very tired considering your anemia. That should get better as the deficiency is corrected and you become more conditioned.
Now about the HIV testing, here are some things to consider:
1. I can't say how risky your activity was, but I can say that if you get the 4th generation HIV test now, it will be very accurate given that your last sexual encounter was in January.
2. I would not lose sleep over it as your symptoms do not sound like HIV.
3. However, I definitely recommend getting the test done so that you can completely put it out of your mind and not have to have a lingering question about it.
I hope this information helps!
Recommendations
Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome,
Your symptoms of petechiae, iron deficiency anemia, and 1 bad cold are not typical presentations for HIV infections. With HIV, we see more of a chronic fluishness, oral yeast infections, swollen lymph glands, low grade fevers, unexplained diarrhea, and weight loss.
About the petechiae, this isn't a typical presentation for HIV, but if you are getting a lot of them, it should be looked into. That they have been isolated to certain regions at any given time, such as both inner thighs, or both inner forearms, is more consistent with minor bruising to the area from some physical trauma or pressure you may not have been aware of. Petechiae that are from vascular disease, or low platelets, usually occur all over the body at the same time. Not always, but it is more often that way. Regardless, I would show this to your doctor.
I can understand that increased exertion from bush walking is making you very tired considering your anemia. That should get better as the deficiency is corrected and you become more conditioned.
Now about the HIV testing, here are some things to consider:
1. I can't say how risky your activity was, but I can say that if you get the 4th generation HIV test now, it will be very accurate given that your last sexual encounter was in January.
2. I would not lose sleep over it as your symptoms do not sound like HIV.
3. However, I definitely recommend getting the test done so that you can completely put it out of your mind and not have to have a lingering question about it.
I hope this information helps!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Hi, thank you for your reply. I probably an being silly but the fear is overwhelming and even getting tested I won't do until I am feeling more confident. Thank you again
Brief Answer:
Ok
Detailed Answer:
What will make you feel more confident so that you go ahead and get the test?
Usually confronting something that is fearful will lessen the fear itself.
Ok
Detailed Answer:
What will make you feel more confident so that you go ahead and get the test?
Usually confronting something that is fearful will lessen the fear itself.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
A lot of it is my anxiety. It's a catch 22 for me. The anxiety started over many stresses I have and then turned into having hiv when my friend who I have been intimate with was sick. So instantly I started thinking he has it and has given it to me. So the anxiety won't let me go get tested but if I do go and it's clear, most of my anxiety will go! I will only be able to do the testing when I believe I don't have it and to get to that point, the petechiae will not have to appear for months etc with other symptoms I have which many could be from stress. I also have one tooth that if I suck on draws blood which again, hiv I think. Anything blood related and I think I have it. Even the low iron I attributed to hiv even though my diet is disgusting. It's almost taken over all my thoughts and anything I feel I can somehow convince myself it's hiv. Again as for testing, I'll only do it when I start to think differently. I've done one before about ten years back again cause I worried and was fine. But I remember the stress of waiting and I don't want that again on top of the current anxiety.
Brief Answer:
Consider treating the anxiety then.
Detailed Answer:
Maybe the thing to address first, then, is the anxiety. Would you consider talking with your doctor about an anti anxiety medication? SSRI meds such as escitalopram (Lexapro), if started at a low dose, have one of the lowest side effect profiles and early onset of action - sometimes in 2 weeks. And while waiting for it to kick in, a short acting anti anxiety medicine such as lorazepam or alprazolam can get you by. But it would be a shame for you to stay in a state of constant fear. These meds could help you.
Consider treating the anxiety then.
Detailed Answer:
Maybe the thing to address first, then, is the anxiety. Would you consider talking with your doctor about an anti anxiety medication? SSRI meds such as escitalopram (Lexapro), if started at a low dose, have one of the lowest side effect profiles and early onset of action - sometimes in 2 weeks. And while waiting for it to kick in, a short acting anti anxiety medicine such as lorazepam or alprazolam can get you by. But it would be a shame for you to stay in a state of constant fear. These meds could help you.
Note: Get personalized answers to your HIV related queries You can choose to talk face to face with your doctor. Book a Video Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
