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Are Sore Throat, Raised Papillae And Slight Yellowing Of Tongue Symptoms Of HIV?
Question: I may or may not have had an exposure to HIV on July 10th. I was with an escort, and during our time together, the condom slipped while I pulled out. I panicked at first, said sorry and said that I had no STI's and she just laughed the whole thing off and replied that she as well didn't have any STI's. I do not know when the condom slipped, if during intercourse or only after pulling out. I am uncircumcised. I do realise that infection from female to male is difficult and that being uncircumcised does up my risk somewhat. I haven't felt weird or anything out of what is ordinary for me. About 4 days ago I ate a sandwich with rye bread that had caraway seeds in it. Upon finishing it, my tongue and mouth felt weird and I developed a sore throat. Upon checking the back of my tongue I noticed a yellow colour only towards the back of my tongue and a few inflamed but painless papillae, again only at the back of my tongue. I have tried brushing my tongue to get the colour out but to no avail. It is still slightly yellow and the papillae are still raised. This of course raises my panic levels high for some sort of acute HIV infection due to my previous incident listed above. I have been biding my time as patiently as possible waiting for a full month to pass so I can go get the duo test done. Based on what I have reported do I have anything to worry about? Have food allergies or intolerances ever presented with scalded feeling on tongue and raised papillae and slight yellowing of tongue? I really do feel fine- no flu, no real fatigue beyond what is normal for me and no real fever. Some weird dreams and a few night sweats have happened here and there but I have attributed this to nothing but anxiety. Any and all advice is welcomed.
Brief Answer:
HIV infection low risk
Detailed Answer:
Than you for contacting HCM with your Health care concerns
You recently had intercourse with an escort and during intercourse the condom slipped. You are now worried about possible HIV. The risk if verily low but it is not zero. I agree on you getting labs done the next month and again in 6 months. The symptoms you describe is not associated with HIV infection or with any STD. It sounds like you may have a mild viral infection possible from traveling. I would not get too concerned about brushing your tongue to remove that discoloration. That discoloration will resolve on its own.
In summary
1. low risk for HIV
2. get tested in 1 month and again in 6 months
3. Discolored tongue not HIV or STD
I hope I answered your questions. Please contact us again with your health care concerns and questions
HIV infection low risk
Detailed Answer:
Than you for contacting HCM with your Health care concerns
You recently had intercourse with an escort and during intercourse the condom slipped. You are now worried about possible HIV. The risk if verily low but it is not zero. I agree on you getting labs done the next month and again in 6 months. The symptoms you describe is not associated with HIV infection or with any STD. It sounds like you may have a mild viral infection possible from traveling. I would not get too concerned about brushing your tongue to remove that discoloration. That discoloration will resolve on its own.
In summary
1. low risk for HIV
2. get tested in 1 month and again in 6 months
3. Discolored tongue not HIV or STD
I hope I answered your questions. Please contact us again with your health care concerns and questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Other than a viral illness from travelling, what could do this to my tongue? I haven't been outside the USA in a year and haven't been outside of my state for a month or so (i have been going upstate tho). I do exercise (weights) and run a lot, started over 6 weeks ago with a complete diet overhaul and have lost 40 + lbs from this so far. It just confuses me a lot that my tongue and throat symptoms only started immediately after i ate fhat sandwich. Can food do this to you? Will the inflamed papillae decrease in size? Thanks again for the response- my hiv related fears have died down big time!
Brief Answer:
food not the cause
Detailed Answer:
The inflammed papillae may not in actuality be inflamed. The papillae at the base of the tongue are actually very large and now that you are more aware of the throat pain you notice the papillae more. I would not suggest any extra treatment to the tongue
The color change maybe just physiological. there is a condition called geographic tongue with will have different shades of color and markings. This is actually normal and not pathologic.
Without actually seeing your tongue I would not be able to fully Dx your condition. You could try submitting a picture so I can get a better understanding of what is happening
Look forward to hearing back from you with downloaded pictures
food not the cause
Detailed Answer:
The inflammed papillae may not in actuality be inflamed. The papillae at the base of the tongue are actually very large and now that you are more aware of the throat pain you notice the papillae more. I would not suggest any extra treatment to the tongue
The color change maybe just physiological. there is a condition called geographic tongue with will have different shades of color and markings. This is actually normal and not pathologic.
Without actually seeing your tongue I would not be able to fully Dx your condition. You could try submitting a picture so I can get a better understanding of what is happening
Look forward to hearing back from you with downloaded pictures
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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