Can HIV cause red dots in finger?

Question

Hello doctor,

I had deep unprotected sex for three minutes with a broken condom with a sex worker who looks younger and healthy and aged between 18. It was my first intercourse with a sex worker and I am worrying about exposure to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus). I started fearing from the minute I had broken condom intercourse and she said to me that she does not have HIV and they never allow anyone to have sex without a condom because of fear of getting infected. So there is no need to worry but I cannot believe her and started studying about HIV and its symptoms and I have a feeling of infection because I got red dots in my finger pits and cold and throat infection. I want to know what are the red dots on my finger which I got? I got it tested many times in those three months and got a negative result. I am worrying about six months test.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Firstly, I want to tell you that the tests which are done these days are highly sensitive and specific and give accurate results. Congratulations on your three months HIV test, post-exposure being negative. Numerous studies have shown that 97 % of people will have enough antibodies to accurately test positive at three months. In some cases, it takes as long as six months to test positive, but this is rare. Since everyone's window period is different and as per the recommendations, I also suggest getting retested at six months. Red dots on finger pits, cold, and throat infections can occur in various conditions not necessarily HIV. Relax. Move forward. Just go for a repeat HIV antibody test at six months.