Answered by Dr. Sidharth Sonthalia

What is the treatment for blackness above upper lip?

Hello doctor,

When I was young I used to lick my lips a lot causing a red line above my lips and under my nose. One day I went out and came back with a permanent blackness above my upper lip (not my skin color). It looks like I have a mustache. Please help.

25 Apr 2024 - 1 min read

How to heal post-trauma scratch mark faster? Met with an accident and got scratches on face and forehead.

Dear Doctor,

I met with an accident recently and got few scratches on my face and the forehead. Kindly give me suggestions to cure faster.

Age-20 years/ male.

02 Feb 2024 - 1 min read

I am at the risk of HIV AIDS. Please help.

Hi,

I am a 31 year old male. About 38 days before I had sex with a CSW (Commercial Social Worker). It was protected vaginal sex and protected oral sex. Also there were deep throat kisses which lasted almost a minute. I am not sure if the condom was torn during the intercourse. 

Since last 3 weeks I have sore throat and mild joint pain. No real fever. Sometimes during afternoon time, my body temperature raises up to 37.2 degrees centigrade. The sore throat was mild but was a one pin point like feeling. The phlegm had blood stains. Phlegm was green or yellow in color. 

I went to the doctor and he checked chest x-ray and found no problem. I tested HIV 3rd Generation antibody test after 19 days of exposure, which was negative.

My questions:

1. Are my symptoms related to Acute Retroviral Syndrome (ARS)?
2. Is there any possibility for transmission of HIV through deep kissing?
3. What can be the cause for blood stained phlegm?
4. An ENT specialist had told me that the partition of my nose is a little bent. Is there any relation of this and my symptoms?
5. I am feeling a little weak but I think this is mostly because of anxiety.
6. How accurate is my 19 days HIV test result?
7. Can sore throat without fever can be a symptom of ARS? I have only sore throat and very mild joint and muscle pain and that too not constant.

02 Feb 2024 - 1 min read

Does HSV positivity indicate risk of HIV?

Hello doctor,

I am a 28 year old male. I had an exposure with a CSW and precaution broke during the act. I do not know the HIV status of the girl. Four weeks later, I got a light fever which subsided in a week. I got a blood test that showed 11500 WBC with a bacterial infection. But, I have leg pain and stuffy nose from the last 30 days. I went with the following test. 28 days after exposure: HIV antibody 1 and 2 and p24 antigen test nonreactive. 37 days after exposure: HIV antibody 1 and 2 and p24 antigen test nonreactive. HIV RNA PCR (quantitative test) undetectable. 42 days after exposure: HIV antibody 1 and 2 and p24 antigen test nonreactive. 49 days after exposure: HIV antibody 1 and 2 and p24 antigen test nonreactive. Serological test for syphilis nonreactive. Herpes simplex 1 and 2 IgM reactive. Herpes simplex 1 and 2 IgG reactive. What are my chances of being infected with HIV? Since herpes simplex is reactive, does it mean that I am infected with HIV?

Thank you.

29 Jan 2024 - 1 min read

Can HIV symptoms persist for a long time despite getting negative HIV test results?

Hello doctor,

I was exposed to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) some 15 weeks ago and I have gone for a fourth generation test at two weeks, four weeks, seven weeks, nine weeks, 11 weeks, and 14 weeks and a rapid test at 15 weeks and all came back negative. But I have some symptoms that are not going away like flu, sore throat, numbness of fingers while sleeping, and itchy ears. I am worried. Please help.

22 Jan 2024 - 1 min read