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 have a skin allergy causing rashes and weight loss. Why?
Query: Hello doctor,I have a skin allergy, rashes, hives and weight loss. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have noted your concern. I would like to know the duration of your complaints (rashes/ hives). Kindly also upload images of the rashes, if any. Have you taken any treatment already? Regards. Read Full »
Does breakout of cold sores indicate that I am HIV positive?
Query: Hello doctor, I had pelvic pain for two to three days. My period was very spotty this month. I did not really have one and my period has always been regular. Could this be a sign and symptom of HIV? I am not pregnant. I get yearly lab tests and everything is normal. I got a yearly TB (Tuberculosis) ... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have noted your concern. An irregular period is not a sign of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection nor is a breakout of labial herpes (cold sores). An irregular period could be due to other reasons like stress, anxiety, hormonal imbalances of the thyroid,weig... Read Full »
After sex, I found a red lump near my anus. What is it?
Query: Hello doctor, I had sex with a CSW (Community Sex Worker) last night. I only had a receiving unprotected sex for one to two minutes. We did not use any protection. We did not do anything other than that. I did not ejaculate in her mouth. I do not know about her HIV status. I am scared if there are a... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. The red sore is just a skin crack. I suggest you use triple antibiotic Neosporin (Bacitracin, Neomycin, and Polymyxin B) ointment twice daily. Unprotected sex is never safe though oral sex is still safer as compared to unprotected vaginal or anal sex. Nevertheless, the... Read Full »
I touched a used needle, now feeling sick. What could it be?
Query: Hello doctor, I work for a company where there is one person who is a diabetic. He uses regular insulin injections. Well, I was not paying attention when I picked up the trash can because it fell over, and I touched a used needle. I know I did not get pricked because it did not pierce my skin. I als... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. The risk of infection from needlestick injuries depends on: The factors that influence exposure to a greater volume of blood (for example: visible blood on the device, needle which has been placed directly into an artery or a vein of an HIV positive person). Viral... Read Full »
I got a red blister after unprotected sex. HIV risk?
Query: Hi doctor,Before five months, I had unprotected sex with a sex worker. I did both oral and vaginal sex. I had done an antibody test (ELISA - enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay) for HIV 1 and HIV 2 in the 13th week after exposure, and the result was nonreactive, the value observed was 0.295. Again, in... Read Full »
Answer: Hi, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have noted your concern, and I have viewed the image (attachment removed to protect patient identity). Your tests are conclusive. An intervening period of 12 weeks between exposure and screening test is considered good enough for it to be reliable. The index value may ... Read Full »
Is the anti-HIV antibody screening test conclusive?
Query: Hello doctor, I have had a few unprotected high-risk exposures in my life so far. I had a concern and checked my status of HIV through an ELFA test after three months following the last encounter. I did another ELFA test after six months, and both were non-reactive. I did not have any exposure in be... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I have gone through your query, and I have noted your concern. Your last screening tests for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus), that is, fourth generation p24 antigen and anti-HIV antibody screening test is conclusive for all previous exposures. Negative antibody s... Read Full »
Can I take the hepatitis B vaccine before HIV meds?
Query: Hello doctor, I just found I am HIV positive, but I am not on medication yet. My CD4/viral load count is 445 /22,500. I do have issues with my liver enzyme Aspartate aminotransferase (AST)=87, Alanine transaminase (ALT)=201, ferritin =800, but negative for hepatitis B. The doctor wants to protect my... Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. I think it is the right decision to vaccinate against hepatitis B because it protects you against future exposure to this virus. Hepatitis B is having the same routes of transmission as HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) vaccination. Hepatitis B does not interfere with... Read Full »
I had oral sex with a sex worker. Can I get HIV?
Query: Hello doctor, I had unprotected oral sex with a CSW (Community Sex Worker). I ejaculated in her mouth. She ran quickly to spit. I do not know if she was HIV positive or not. Should I be worried about my health? Thank you. Read Full »
Answer: Hello, Welcome to icliniq.com. Unprotected receptive oral sex is safer than unprotected vaginal or anal sex but not entirely safe. There is a negligible risk of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and other STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) like herpes, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and syphilis. Th... Read Full »
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 »