Recently Answered Questions
All the answers published in this website are written by verified medical doctors, therapists and health experts. The Content has been moderated by iCliniq medical review team before publication. Post your medical clarifications on iCliniq by choosing the right specialty and get them answered. Your medical queries will be answered 24/7 by top doctors from iCliniq.
I got cold after having protected sex. Is it due to HIV?
Query: Hello doctor, About six weeks ago, I had protected sex with a male. About two weeks later, I developed a cold, which got better. Now, I have been feeling random zings (not really painful) in my armpit. I have also got five “pimples” in a cluster on my back. Do I need to be worried about HIV? Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Protected sex is safe and there is no risk of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Having cold or flu is not a specific symptom or sign of HIV. Cold is otherwise very common in the general population and is not a reason to suspect HIV. For pimples, I would suggest you u... Read Full »
How long do HIV antibodies remain in the body post exposure?
Query: Hello doctor, I have a general query. I would like to know say a person has HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and if he does not know about it. He then acquires AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). So, even after having AIDS, will there be HIV antibodies in his blood? If he goes for an HIV an... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Antibodies against HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) once formed, stay forever. AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome) is an advanced stage of HIV infection when the patient shows signs of immunodeficiency like opportunistic infections, malignancies, etc. Antibodi... Read Full »
Can I get HIV from an accidental prick of a sharp object?
Query: Hello doctor, My cousin stepped on a nail. It had a pointy object from the street. It got stuck in his feet. It took him from morning to evening to take the nail off his feet and he threw it at me. It hit my arm not knowing if that nail was infected or had blood on it. So when he threw it at me, it ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. There is no risk of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). The virus does not survive outside the body and it is certainly not transmitted through fomites. Moreover, intact skin does not allow the virus to pass through. Read Full »
How accurate is the HIV Ag/Ab test at 40th day after exposure?
Query: Hello doctor, How accurate is the HIV(Human Immunodeficiency Virus) Ag/Ab test at 40th day after exposure? I know I should retest after three months, but could the symptoms show up, and the antibody is still hidden? Please give me an explanation. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The window period of the Ag/Ab test varies from 18 to 45 days. Therefore a negative test at six weeks (42 days) would be considered conclusive in 98-99 % individuals. However, a negative test at 12 weeks is still considered the golden standard (conclusive in 99.9 % o... Read Full »
What are the chances of HIV through protected anal sex?
Query: Hello doctor, I met a man who was a foreigner. During the winter, one night we went to a restaurant in and after that we went to a bar for some drinks and then to a food store. I had not dressed appropriately for the cold weather and I had no hat or scarf and it was very cold. We ended up going to h... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Protected anal sex and fingering is safe and there is no risk of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). However, receiving unprotected oral sex carries a very low risk even though saliva is not considered infectious, provided he didn't have oral sores or bleeding gums. Yo... Read Full »
Can tonsil pain have any association with HIV?
Query: Hello doctor, I had unprotected sex once and had a fever within a couple of days of the exposure. A couple of years have passed by and I have started getting headaches and symptoms like sinus and tonsils. I went to the ENT (Otolaryngologist) and I was told I had grade 3 tonsils and it is better to g... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Tonsillitis is not a specific sign of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection though it may happen more commonly in those who are HIV positive as compared to the others. Moreover, a negative HIV screening test result after three years of risk exposure rules out HI... Read Full »
Are white tongue, muscle aches, and sore throat symptoms of HIV?
Query: Hello doctor, I had an unprotected sexual contact with a commercial sex worker some six months ago. I do not know the health status of that lady. After 30 days of exposure, I got fever and body pain and I went to the hospital for treatment. He suggested checking a widal test and a urine test. The re... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Your screening tests have convincingly ruled out HIV (human immunodeficiency virus). Perhaps you have oral thrush which may have started because of repeated courses of oral antibiotics. I suggest you use a topical antifungal like Clotrimazole mouth paint. In addition, ... Read Full »