Sensory polyneuropathy and cervical radiculopathy

Dear Ask The Doctor: I am having muscle weakness from more than 6 months recently my neurologist suggest me to go for an emg and ncv 2 units. The test result says "Sensory polyneuropathy and possible bilateral C8,T1, L4, L5 Radiculopathy". My all blood tests are normal (CBC, Thyroid, calcium, cardic profile, uric acid, hypitytas B, C). Does muscle weakness and sensory polyneuropathy means i have HIV? i had sex with a call girl using a condom in october 2010.

Dear Fm: The results of your EMG correspond with a sensation nerve problem and possibly a cervical radicular compression at the levels specified.  There are two types of nerves: sensory and motor. Sensory nerves help you to feel pain, touch, temperature, position and vibration. Motor nerves help you to move and maintain muscle tone. The causes of polyneuropathies are many: Diabetes is the most common, vitamin deficiancies, alcohol abuse, autoimmune disease, and sometimes there is not known cause. . In the younger patients, cervical radiculopathy may be a result of a disc herniation or an acute injury causing impingement of an exiting nerve. In the older patient, cervical radiculopathy is often a result of spinal canal narrowing from bone (osteophyte) formation, decreased disc height and degenerative changes due to aging process. The treatment strategy usually includes: physical therapy program aimed to reduce pain and inflammation, and the use of anti-inflammatory medication (“Motrin”, “Aleve”), also a re-education of your habits and posture to improve quality of life. You should be independent in a stretching and strengthening program and continue with these exercises under the periodic supervision of a physical therapist initially and then completely on your own. Patients whose condition fails to improve with a comprehensive rehabilitation program and selective injections should be presented with a surgical evaluation. Often, patients should show progressive improvement over the first 6-8 weeks with conservative treatment. If there is no significant improvement in this time frame, consider a surgical evaluation. Finally, if you are worried about the casual sex episode, then get tested for HIV.