Q. Is headache a symptom of HIV?

Patient's Query

Hi doctor,

Before 14 days, I had an encounter with a female escort. We had unprotected oral sex and protected vaginal sex. I am worried about the possibility of HIV as I am experiencing headaches. From day 4 or 5 post exposure, I have had a general malaise feeling in my head, feeling spaced out and slightly dizzy. I have also been having headaches. The headaches come and go and vary in strength. They are always located as a pain between my eyebrows in the procerus muscle. When I massage that part of my head, it goes away for a few seconds and again, last for a couple of hours or so. Most recently, one eye was twitching and was slightly puffy. The headache almost feels like the procerus muscle itself is tight and causing the pain. I have read that the procerus muscle headache is common in sinus infections, but I feel that my sinuses are all fine. I do not have a cold of any sort. I have no other typical HIV symptoms, so I am wondering could these types of headache occur through stress or anxiety? I have a fair bit of that just now.

Doctor's Answer

Dr. Bharat Patodiya
MBBS ., MD MEDICINE., DNB MEDICAL ONCOLOGY
General Medicine, Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your anxiety, which is quite obvious in this situation. However, transfer of the HIV virus through oral sex is low. But, it depends on any cuts, abrasion on your penis and any ulcer in her mouth.

If this is possible, then get a blood sample of her, because that can be tested for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus).

14 days is a short period for acute HIV infection manifestation, but still it is not a guarantee. If cost is not an issue, then you can do HIV viral load, which can detect viral RNA within 10 days of infection.

On personal ground, I do not think that your symptoms are HIV related. These look more stress related.

I will add that HIV is not the only infection you should be worried as you can get other STD (sexually transmitted diseases) like HPV (human papilloma virus), syphilis and gonorrhea.

As I said above, you can do a HIV viral load test, which can detect viral RNA within 10 days of infection. Also, next time in addition to being careful, I will say that you should present early because the drug useful for prevention is most active in the first 72 hours of exposure.

For further information consult a general medicine physician online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/general-medicine-physician

Patient's Query

Thank you doctor,

My penis had no cuts and abrasions. I did not see any blood on my penis from her mouth. Of course, I cannot see inside her mouth, but I am pretty certain she was not bleeding from her mouth. I read somewhere that the headaches associated with HIV seroconversion were severe and unrelenting. They were mostly pain behind the eyes (retro-orbital) or combined with a fever. I have neither of these. Like I said, the pain of my headaches is localized to what feels like the area between the eyebrows (procerus muscle?) and the fact these headaches come and go. So, can we say that my headaches sound like stress? Is this a common place on the head to experience a stress headache?

Doctor's Answer

Dr. Bharat Patodiya
MBBS ., MD MEDICINE., DNB MEDICAL ONCOLOGY
General Medicine, Internal Medicine, Medical Oncology

Hi,

Welcome back to icliniq.com.

Yes, I think it is stress headache. Stress headaches are mostly located in frontal to bilateral part of the head. It is non-throbbing, just as in your case.

Other headaches in adults are often lateralized and are throbbing. You also do not have any aura symptoms. Neither you have any danger signs like systemic symptoms, vomiting, blurring of vision, neurological weakness and previous attacks.

However, if this is a new onset and is progressing in nature or is precipitation by activities like bending or exertion, then we may evaluate.

At present, for headache, I will suggest Paracetamol plus Tolperisone (muscle relaxant) three times a day for three days. It should give you complete relief. Consult your doctor, discuss with him or her and take the medicine with consent.

Also, if you have isolated the cause of stress, then you have to modify that too. If it recurs, progress or change in patter or frequency, then will dig deeper.

For further information consult a general medicine physician online --> https://www.icliniq.com/ask-a-doctor-online/general-medicine-physician

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