HIV-1? HIV-2? HIV-O? - TheBody.com's Bulletin Boards

What is your opinion? Following intercourse (unprotected insertive
vaginal) with a sex worker in the Philippines in July, 2002 I
experiences a flu-like illness 3 weeks later. Most symptoms subsided
in a week or so, some lasted a longer. Symptoms included:
1. Facial dermatitis
2. Fatigue
3. Malaise
4. Muscle aches
5. Painful red patch in mouth (?)
6. Rash on chest
7. Dramatic loss of appetite and weight (~10%)
8. Painless genital ulceration.
9. Night Sweats
It is my understanding that many of these symptoms are statistically
significant for HIV ARS.

In the many months following I have experienced many diagnosed
medical conditions and issues, some minor, others more bothersome,
such as:

1. Onset of severe acne
2. Benign growth in floor of mouth
3. Bump inside lower lip, possible enlarged salivary glands
4. Hair growth abnormalities
5. Re-occurring muscle aches with elevated muscle enzyme tests
6. Dry mouth, dry eyes and dry skin
7. Elbow infection
8. Multiple rashes on neck, trunk and arms
9. Lower leg & foot pain, burning sensation, areas which feel
bruised (neuropathy?)
10. Multiple fibrous papules on nose
11. Re-occurring oral ulcerations and aphthous ulcers
12. Skin pigmentation changes
13. Plantar and genital warts
14. Possible psoriasis and other unknown skin lesions
15. Red, blotchy skin on face? Sehborreic Dermatitis?
16. Re-occurring dry cough and runny nose
17. Seborrheic keratoses
18. Stucco keratosis
19. Intermittent pain in groin/neck areas
20. Fatigue and tiredness

It is well documented that skin disorders, myalgias, neuropathies and
oral ulcerations are very prevalent for HIV infection, correct? Most
recently (Since February 2004) I have had persistent swollen lymph
nodes in jaw area, under the armpits and in the groin. It is my
understanding that this is a very common early indicator of HIV
disease. I have also been diagnosed by biopsy to have Grover's'
disease a skin rash (transient acantholytic dermatosis), I understand
this typically affects older men (>50) and is indicative of a
lymphoproliferative disorder most of the time, (I am only 38).. I
have read on a few sites about HIV positive individuals being
diagnosed with this disorder.

Based upon my sexual exposure and clinical history it seems highly
possible that I may have been infected with the HIV virus. However I
have repeatedly tested negative via ELISA and PCR RNA testing.
However it is also my understanding that the standard ELISA test used
is very reliable for diagnosing HIV-1, Group M (all subtypes)
infections but may not detect HIV-1 group O or Group N infections and
standard PCR RNA testing is only accurate for HIV-1, Group M, sub-
type B and may under-detect or not detect viruses of other subtypes
and certainly not of different groups, (Amplicor version 1.5 will
detect all group M subtypes). It should also be noted that the
Philippines has been found to exhibit very high HIV viral diversity
within the country. All the Group M, subtypes and group O viruses
have been documented in that country. This most likely due to the
migratory work practices and the legalized sex trade that is
prevalent in the country.

I also believe it is ignorant to conclude that a infection with a
rare strain is impossible as one must be aware that the 900,000 or so
cases in the U.S. began form a small number of people with a "Rare"
disease at the time. I also think rare strains would be more likely
to spread if adequate detection and testing systems are not currently
implemented.

PLEASE give me your thoughts.
Thanks,

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