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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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What Are The Early Symptoms Of HIV Infection?

i was walking in the woods and i think i was pricked by a dirty needle and i am convinced i am hiv as i had severe headaches lightheadedness and nauseau and now have stiff neck and pains in my armpits and husband has a stiff neck this happened a year ago
Mon, 26 May 2014
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General & Family Physician 's  Response
Hello!
I read carefully your query and understand your concern.
You don't have any real reason to be worried.
HIV can be transmitted from an infected person to someone else when there is an exchange of blood, semen or vaginal secretions.
First of all you are not sure you were pricked by a needle.The second you don't know if the needle was used by a HIV positive person and the last you don't know foe how long this needle has been in the woods because HIV can survive only 2-3 days out a human body.
So the chances you get infected by a needle in the woods is extremely low if not inexistent.
The early symptoms of HIV infection happen within 1-2 months from exposure and are flu-like symptoms.This illness, known as primary or acute HIV infection, may last for a few weeks. Possible signs and symptoms include:Fever ,Headache ,Muscle aches ,Rash ,Chills ,Sore throat ,Mouth or genital ulcers ,Swollen lymph glands, mainly on the neck ,Joint pain ,Night sweats, Diarrhea.

The symptoms you describe are not related to HIV infection but with your paranoia and anxiety.

If you are convinced you have HIV than the only way to prove you the otherwise is to get tested.
You can do an antibody test (Rapid test) and you can get the result the same day of the test.So you can rest your mind.

Hope my answer has helped.
Take care.
Dr.Rovena
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What Are The Early Symptoms Of HIV Infection?

Hello! I read carefully your query and understand your concern. You don t have any real reason to be worried. HIV can be transmitted from an infected person to someone else when there is an exchange of blood, semen or vaginal secretions. First of all you are not sure you were pricked by a needle.The second you don t know if the needle was used by a HIV positive person and the last you don t know foe how long this needle has been in the woods because HIV can survive only 2-3 days out a human body. So the chances you get infected by a needle in the woods is extremely low if not inexistent. The early symptoms of HIV infection happen within 1-2 months from exposure and are flu-like symptoms.This illness, known as primary or acute HIV infection, may last for a few weeks. Possible signs and symptoms include:Fever ,Headache ,Muscle aches ,Rash ,Chills ,Sore throat ,Mouth or genital ulcers ,Swollen lymph glands, mainly on the neck ,Joint pain ,Night sweats, Diarrhea. The symptoms you describe are not related to HIV infection but with your paranoia and anxiety. If you are convinced you have HIV than the only way to prove you the otherwise is to get tested. You can do an antibody test (Rapid test) and you can get the result the same day of the test.So you can rest your mind. Hope my answer has helped. Take care. Dr.Rovena