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STDs (Expert Forum)
HIV, OHL, Yeast - Typical Timeline of symptoms?
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomoniasis, Warts, Yeast Infection.All questions will be answered by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D. or Edward W Hook, MD.
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HIV, OHL, Yeast - Typical Timeline of symptoms?
by KC20, Nov 23, 2005 12:00AM
Thank you for your continued help. I posted some time ago and now have several more questions that I've had trouble finding answers to.
1. As I understand, ARS occurs within 2-4 weeks after exposure. While on the other hand, symptoms of HIV are existent, meaning (according to my confused understanding) they occur throughout the time that one is infected. So, where/when/how can the distinguishment be made between "No, these are not symptoms of ARS because they're occuring later than 4 weeks" and the contrary, that being symptoms of HIV(thrush and yeast infections) occuring throughtout the life of the virus, because it is common?
2. How soon after exposure do symptoms of HIV, such as thrush (or benign migratory glossitis) appear?
3. How soon after exposure does an HIV related yeast infection occur?
Oral Hairy Leukoplakia?
4. After having an extreme and very abnormal dry mouth off an on for some time, I've now developed patches on my tongue. They are painless and and irregular in shape and location. Each patch is surrounded by a rather thinly lined texture, White in color. Any idea as to what this sounds like other than something related to HIV? Images and descriptions are very much like those of what the internet refers to as OHL (oral hairy leukoplakia.)
5. How soon after exposure does OHL generally appear?
1. As I understand, ARS occurs within 2-4 weeks after exposure. While on the other hand, symptoms of HIV are existent, meaning (according to my confused understanding) they occur throughout the time that one is infected. So, where/when/how can the distinguishment be made between "No, these are not symptoms of ARS because they're occuring later than 4 weeks" and the contrary, that being symptoms of HIV(thrush and yeast infections) occuring throughtout the life of the virus, because it is common?
2. How soon after exposure do symptoms of HIV, such as thrush (or benign migratory glossitis) appear?
3. How soon after exposure does an HIV related yeast infection occur?
Oral Hairy Leukoplakia?
4. After having an extreme and very abnormal dry mouth off an on for some time, I've now developed patches on my tongue. They are painless and and irregular in shape and location. Each patch is surrounded by a rather thinly lined texture, White in color. Any idea as to what this sounds like other than something related to HIV? Images and descriptions are very much like those of what the internet refers to as OHL (oral hairy leukoplakia.)
5. How soon after exposure does OHL generally appear?
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Nov 24, 2005 12:00AM
, Nov 24, 2005 12:00AM
As I have pointed out many times on this forum, all symptoms are highly unreliable indicators of HIV infection. By far the most important thing you must do is have an HIV test; that will tell whether or not you are infected. Focusing on your symptoms, or on my responses to your questions, will simply divert your energies and ultimately may be misleading. But here are some answers.
1) I don't know what you mean by HIV symptoms being "existant" (not normal medical terminology). After ARS, almost all HIV infections cause no symptoms whatsoever for the next several (usually 5-15) years, until overt AIDS develops. ARS symptoms generally end within 4-5 weeks of catching HIV.
2,3,5) Thrush or glossitis usually are signs of overt AIDS and generally do not appear until a person has had HIV for many years. Once in a while they occur with ARS or early HIV infection, but not usually. OHL also is a sign of advanced immunodeficiency, generally occuring several years after infection.
4) I won't speculate on causes of your own symptoms. Get tested for HIV; then, whether the result is positive or negative, ask your own provider to evaluate your oral symptoms.
Good luck and happy TG--- HHH, MD
1) I don't know what you mean by HIV symptoms being "existant" (not normal medical terminology). After ARS, almost all HIV infections cause no symptoms whatsoever for the next several (usually 5-15) years, until overt AIDS develops. ARS symptoms generally end within 4-5 weeks of catching HIV.
2,3,5) Thrush or glossitis usually are signs of overt AIDS and generally do not appear until a person has had HIV for many years. Once in a while they occur with ARS or early HIV infection, but not usually. OHL also is a sign of advanced immunodeficiency, generally occuring several years after infection.
4) I won't speculate on causes of your own symptoms. Get tested for HIV; then, whether the result is positive or negative, ask your own provider to evaluate your oral symptoms.
Good luck and happy TG--- HHH, MD
OHL is not something you can diagnose yourself and other mouth diseases could appear similar.
If you are concerned about HIV, get tested if it has been 6 weeks after your last exposure. Symptoms mean nothing. Read my previous posts for my hiv scare
OHL is not something you can diagnose yourself and other mouth diseases could appear similar.
If you are concerned about HIV, get tested if it has been 6 weeks after your last exposure. Symptoms mean nothing. Read my previous posts for my hiv scare
The truth of it is, you can't go off symptoms. They're so unreliable in
regards to diagnosis, that even with the answers, you still won't have
a clear picture.
ARS symptoms vary from person to person. It's usually flu-like symptoms,
such as aches, pains, and feeling run down. This is different from cold symptoms. If you have a runny nose, this is cold, not flu.
With OHL and Thrush, both can appear any time and in healthy people. OHL is usually not seen during seroconversion. When they say it appears early in the
disease, usually they are speaking within a year of infection. Same with thrush.
Now, you've also confused OHL and Geographic Tongue (Glossitis). Geographic tongue also looks like both thrush and OHL, but is not a symptom of HIV. I was diagnosed with both Thrush and OHL and have tested negative out to 13 weeks.
If it'll ease your mind, and you're within the window period, go get tested. The truth of it is, after symptoms begin appearing, an antibody test will usually turn positive. If your outside the window period, just do an Oraquick and you'll have your answer.
Tell us, when did you have your encounter?
Best, and good luck on your tests.
Itoo am worried about HIV, i have been waiting for somehing to happen to me but its now two weeks and i dont have any symptons for Ghonnoria or Chlamydia....i have had an ear ache and 1 day of diorhea but that was after starting to take pain killers and hasn't happened again since (so does that mean aches and pain?)
Itsconfusing knowing how long to wait? and panic!.....i have had genital herpes for a long time and some sites say that has increased my chances of HIV infection others say it doesn't? all these ratios seem to change from 1 in 500 to 1 in 1000? im going to have a blood test at 3 weeks im a great believer in stress causing symptoms but its difficult not to when this is happening to you...........
This forum and the constant stress has taught me a very important lesson in life and how delicate it can be! thanks for your time and comments on my experience and possible chances of ifection for HIV would be appreciated during the time that im stressing before blood tests
Thanks so much everyone
idiotparty: No STD causes earaches, and everyone gets diarrhea sometimes. I think you sound fine to me, but if you're really freaked (and it sounds like you are), go get tested.
As for increased risk of HIV with herpes, it's true. Still, it's not something to freak about. If you're concerned, in the future you might talk with your doctor about suppressive therapy; not only will you reduce the risk of transmission to others, but probably reduce your risk of contracting HIV as well. I think your risks are minimal at best. You wore a