Need some insight

[Bentoutofshape]

Well, here's the story. About 4 1/2 months ago I had unprotected vaginal sex with a women, by the next day I begun to have some symptoms. Started with discomfort and mild irritation on my penis head and on my shaft, a bit of redness, itchiness. The next day (two days after encounter) I had sensations while urinating, feeling as though I needed to pee frequently and later that second day I begun to have flu like symptoms, swollen lymph nodes in my croach, mild lower abdominal pains.

All those symptoms had subsided within around 5 days from the time of the encounter. Six days after the encounter I saw the doc. He thought it to be a urinary tract infection, prescribed some antibiotics. I also took a full panel of STD tests at that time assuming they would come back negative because it has only been a week, but I wanted to have a bench mark of insuring that if anything came up later I could isolate to the sexual event in question. They all came back negative. 

Anyway, so at right around the three month mark I came down with an upper respiratory infection, coughing, green phlem, stuffy nose, etc. No discernible flu symptoms. That cleared up within about a week. (The only reason I added that into this scenario was just in case it may have some relevance)

Right at about the 4 month mark of that encounter (almost two weeks ago) I got this red blemish about a 1/2 inch in diameter on my chest. I didn't think much of it at first as it was very faint and I figured I did something to cause it and it would go away. Within several days later I noticed a few more pop up looking about the same flat, pinkish red blotch. From that time to now they are still there. in the same spots. I've had a few more added to the mix steadily over the past two weeks.
There's not a bunch of them and they are spread out here and there (Maybe 1/2 dozen on my front a the same on the back. different sizes. 

I haven't had any other discernible signs other than that. I could say that I've felt a bit off, maybe more fatigued, but as much as I've been thinking about this over the past several months and especially lately not feeling exactly myself is no surprise. I literally have worried about this every 5 minutes of every day since the encounter.
I guess my question is could this rash be symptoms of an initial HIV reaction 4 months after the encounter? From what I've read on other posts the timing doesn't seem to add up.
I realize that I must get tested again that's been the plan all along. I'm just trying to muster the courage to do it. I'm scared, but living the way I have lately isn't doing me any favors either.

[RapidRod]

Symptoms of lack of will never tell you your status. The only way to know your status is by testing. You can collect your conclusive negative test result 3 months post exposure. Start using condoms and you will protect yourself from HIV and most STDs.

[Andy Velez]

If you have any symptoms that you are concerned about you should discuss them with your doctor. Nothing you are reporting is HIV specific.

But as Rod has told you, you do need to get tested since you have had unprotected intercourse. A negative result at 3 months or more after a risk is a reliable result.

You can avoid putting your health and your life at risk in the future by always using condoms for vaginal and anal intercourse. No exceptions. Condoms provide very effective production.

Good luck with your test.

[Bentoutofshape]

Symptoms of lack of will never tell you your status.

Agreed. I know I have to. I just need to man up and face up to it whether good or bad. I'm not doing myself any good sitting around worrying about it all day everyday. I just know what a life changing event it could turn out to be.

I guess in my head I've already convinced myself that it will be bad news. The women in question turned out to be quite promiscuous and the next day she was on her period. Just a nice bonus for concern. She's the only women that I've ever had intercourse with without a condom aside from my ex that I was in monogamous 15 year relationship with. I feel like a total dumb ass....

Sad thing is, I had a condom on hand, but chose not to use it. What a dumb ass...

I've been safe and germaphobic my whole life and might pay because of one lapse of judgement. Dumb ass......

Strange rash that fits all the characteristics of an HIV rash that doesn't respond to Benadryl sounds like bad news to me.


Anyway, thanks for what you all do here. Hopefully I won't need to return.

[Andy Velez]

Your fears notwithstanding the odds are in your favor that you will test negative. It was a single unprotected incident and HIV is harder to transmit from female to male than the other way around. And it is unlikely that ARS would be happening as late as you have described the onset of symptoms. 

You can test anytime now because you are past 3 months after the incident now. If you test negative that will be a conclusive result.

Good luck with your test.

[Bentoutofshape]

Thanks Andy. I guess I'll hope for the best. I'll let you'll know what happens.

[Andy Velez]

OK. Fingers crossed here for a happy negative result.