Hello Doctor,

I have written to you twice in the past few months. I think my title was HELP. I had an exposure some 12 months ago...and this past summer I had 3 HIV antibody tests, 1 HIV 2 Antibody test, 2 DNA PCRs, and a RNA PCR all have been negative....my symptoms still exist....since May, Thrush, HUGE Swollen Glands, real tired, Foggy brain. My Doctors are at a loss, despite testing me for things like Cancer, Immune problems, ETC. Can I just assume I have this disease and find an expert will give me medication?....I cannot tell you how tired I am of this whole HIV thing......Do you think I need more tests for unusual strains? I have never had sex with anyone outside of the US. I am desperate and have lost all hope. By the way my doctors, who have been great, think that I should just forget about HIV.....I am not too sure...THANKS SO VERY MUCH

I would agree with your doctors that HIV infection is not causing your symptoms. I don't think further HIV testing is warranted. It sounds like they have been checking for alternative causes. If the glands are persistently swollen, you may want to discuss a lymph node biopsy. A tissue diagnosis may shed some light into what's causing all of this. Good Luck. MH