Fever, Body Pain, Headache And Sore Throat. Unprotected Sex. Are These Symptoms Of HIV?

Posted on Thu, 15 Dec 2011

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

Thu, 15 Dec 2011 Answered on

Mon, 18 Jun 2012 Last reviewed on

Question : I had a mild flu which was improving. I had unprotected sex 4 days ago. 2 days after which i got fever, body pains, headache, a sore throat and the flu got worse. Can this be a symptom of HIV. or is 2 days after sex too soon for hiv symptoms to show?

Answered by Dr. Rohit Batra (2 hours later)

Dear XXXXXXX

Thanks for the query.

HIV is a very rapidly replicating virus but the symptoms are seen only the after the seroconversion takes place i.i antigen starts binding with the antibody, which usually take around 2 - 3 weeks.

In your case the symptoms were too early to stamp them as a part of HIV infection.
To be on the safer side., I would recommend that you can go for a p24 antigen detection test.

Hope I have answered your query. Do write back to me if you have further questions.

Wishing you speedy recovery.

Regards

Dr. Rohit

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

Follow up: Dr. Rohit Batra (28 minutes later)

So this can just be a regular flu?

Is 2 days too early for any connection with HIV? Or is it possible?

Answered by Dr. Rohit Batra (12 hours later)

Dear XXXXXXX

Yes, 2 days is too early for the virus to show its symptoms.

The symptoms are most likely because of the normal flu which you were having before the encounter.

To be on the safer side, I would request you to get a p24 antigen test or a screening test done after 8 weeks.

Regards

Dr. Rohit Batra

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Shanthi.E