Q: I last had sex about 5 months back and within a month I had symptoms of HIV. I tested my blood a month, 4 months and 5 months later. All results were negative ruling out HIV but I still had nausea, muscle pain and pain on the right side of my stomach below my right ribs which strongly makes me feel that I have hepatetis B or C (HBV or HCV). Where in Chennai can I be checked for HBV or HCV and what blood tests should be done? What are the precautions I should take tp prevent spread to others?

A:Now that you have tested negative for HIV infection in 6 months after your risk exposure, please stop worrying about HIV from the last episode. Please remember that if you have been fortunate once, it does not mean that your risk is any less for subsequent exposures. Please stop self-diagnosis on the basis of vague symptoms. This is not a safe practice and can cause you a lot of grief. However, do get yourself checked for Hepatitis if you now feel concerned about it. I am sure that there are several places in Chennai, the YRG foundation (Dr. Suniti Solomon) may be able to point you in the right direction, or consult any of the AIDS Control helplines.