dr. bob, what do you think?

Date: May 23, 2003 Place: Dominican Republic Cause for concern: Vaginal sex w/ sex worker. comdom fell off inside of her. She pulled it out of herself, put it back on me, we continued to completion.

4 days later: back in NY, i fear hiv.

Day 32: PCR DNA - negative Day 32: Elisa - negative Day 45: Elisa - negative Day 55: Elisa - negative Day 65: Home Access - negative Day 75: Home Access - negative Day 88: Elisa - negative

I thought that would be it, but around the 75 day mark, i had a runny nose, lots of sneezing, red eyes, blowing nose. This has progressed to constant runny nose, slight sore throat, can't help but suck up everything from my nose. Lots of mucous. Yesterday the runny nose kind of went away. I also had a temp. of 100 degrees. Today it's not running at all, but a cough has started. Throat still doesn't feel normal. I have taken benadryl, claritin, flonase, tylenol. The flem was at first clear and watery, now it is not running at all, but i coughed up some flem that looked light yellow/brown.

Please doctor.....should i take another test? I'm at day 96 now, and every time i cough or wipe my nose i can't help but think that this might be seroconversion. Can this be what it's like?

thank you for your time. I'd like to send a check to your foundation if possible......who should it be made payable to? Where can i send it?

thanks again

Hello,

You "can't help but suck up everything from your nose?" That sounds a bit yucky.

Although I would have suggested you use a new condom rather than the one that slipped off (maybe you didn't need to buy that extra large size after all), your HIV risk is extremely small. Your multiple negative HIV tests (PCR and antibody) out to 88 days are quite conclusive: You have not contracted HIV.

Your symptoms are not consistent with HIV, but rather a head cold or allergy problem. Do you need another HIV test? Of course not! You need to see your doctor or an allergist to clear up your stuffy head.

I know you're worried it's HIV, but trust me. It's SNOT!

Thanks for your donation:

The Robert James Frascino AIDS Foundation 779 Altos Oaks Drive, Suite 200 Los Altos, CA 94024

Stay well,

Dr. Bob