Please Note: Due to volume considerations, not all questions can be answered. Questions most likely to be answered will be those of general interest to a broad group of visitors to this forum. Questions pertaining to a specific case; requests for diagnosis, medical advice, or second opinion; or requests for opinions about untested alternative therapies will generally not be answered.
The participation of Dr. Ewald Horwath in this Forum is made possible by Boehringer Ingelheim.
Ask the Experts about Mental Health and HIV
Anxiety Ridden
Aug 21, 2008
I was tested for HIV about a year and a half ago. I did not have unprotected sex with anyone but I have always had severe anxiety and worried about everything from cancer to HIV even before I was sexually active. I did the cheek swab and it came back negative. After being in a relationship for 6 months and having protected sex I decided to be retested for STDs and HIV. I was shocked to find out I had chlamydia and immediatly went to the lab for a blood test. Apparently my test came back inconclusive or indeterminate. The Dr said it could of been due to a viral infection or possibly the STDs. They said not to worrk and to get retested in a few months. The only problem is Ive always been a hypochondriac. All I need to do is read about symptoms for illnesses and then I swear I have them all. The other day I read about swollen gland and achy joints and now everything hurts. I know the smart thing to do would just go back and get retested now that I know I have nothing else going on with me and at least then I can put myself at ease but Im so scared. This is my worse fear. Is it possible that my severe anxiety could be a cause of all this or that the indeterminate result could of been from something else? Ive never been with anyone who has HIV..Thanks for your help/
Response from Dr. Horwath
You should go and get tested again.
The symptoms you are experiencing are caused by anxiety.
Please remember that this forum is designed for educational purposes only, and experts are not engaged through this
forum in rendering legal or medical advice or professional services. Experts appearing on this page are independent and are solely responsible
for editing and fact-checking their material. Neither The Body nor any sponsor is the publisher or speaker of posted visitors' questions or the experts' material.
Questions and messages posted to this forum are not statements of advice, opinion, or information of The Body, Body Health Resources Corporation or any sponsor of this
forum. While neither The Body nor Body Health Resources Corporation regularly reviews posted content, we reserve the right to delete, move, or
edit postings if we deem it appropriate under the circumstances. Visitors submitting questions remain solely responsible for the content of their
messages.
Information provided by experts is general only and should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease, or relied upon as
legal or other professional advice. This information is not a substitute for professional advice or care. If you have or suspect you may have a
health or legal problem, you should consult your own health care provider or your attorney.
