Acute Retroviral Syndrome

[Sloboy21]

I'll make it shot. I had protected sex with a prostitute for about 5 minuets. She then finshed me off with a blow-job. I also fingered her. Huge Mistake I know.

I have also been having sex/oral sex for the last six months with a girl I have been seeing. It has been protected condom.

We had some problems and I was pissed/depressed so I made a mistake.

Two days  after I saw the prostitute I got really ill. Sore throat, Fever, and other strep symptoms. I went to the doc and two strep tests cam back negative. He said it was a virus and would go away. It did. Three days sept 22. after my fever broke I got a rash on my chest, armpits, hands and feet. It itched and is clearing up now. I went back to the doc and he said rashes are common with viruses.

I searched the nest and have freaked myself out. It seems all my symptoms point to Acute Retroviral Syndrome. Or early HIV.

We did run a CBC blood test and I get the results tomorrow. I  so scared I can't work,  sleep, or eat.

What level of worry shoud I have. Can ARS symptoms show up two days later.

Thanks

[Andy Velez]

I have to tell you that you've got some peculiar ideas about HIV.

Whatever your symptoms are pointing to it is neither ARS or early HIV. Your comments and misinterpretations betray a serious lack of knowledge about the basics regarding HIV transformation.

Please correct that by reading the lessons on Transmission and Testing to which you can find a link in the introductory thread in this section.

Actually as far as HIV is concerned you did everything right. You used a condom with both your gf and the professional. Condoms provide very effective protection. None of your other activities with the pro put you at risk for HIV transmission.

Cheers,
If your symptoms persist you should discuss them with your doctor. Whatever is going on has nothing to do with HIV and you do not need to test for HIV.

[Sloboy21]

Thanks, I think I know that deep down..but I am still a little worried.

[Andy Velez]

Fortunately feelings aren't facts. And you have no basis in HIV science for being concerned about HIV in relation to this incident.

Or is it really about having strayed on your gf? If so, that's a whole other issue.

[Sloboy21]

I guess these days teh first place we turn is the internet.....and my symptoms were described as ARS symptoms on many info sites. I know it was low risk..but still I am not used to having a rash and the timing is odd..

I have been stresses out lately. Girl problems, work ect...to the point of breaking down....Does stress cause a rash....?

[Ann]

Slo,

Hiv isn't the only virus in the world. Your doctor told you it was probably due to whatever virus made you ill and he's probably right.

However, the rash that some people get during ARS isn't anything  like the one you describe. For a start, ARS related rash does NOT itch and it normally only appears on the trunk.

You didn't have a low risk, you had NO risk. No risk means no ARS.

Ann

[Sloboy21]

Thanks for the replies. I guess getting flu-like symptoms 2 days after my encounter with the prostitute and a rash four days after my fever stopped is freaking me out...

[Ann]

Slo,

ARS takes around two WEEKS before anything noticable happens, and for many people, NOTHING noticable happens at all. This is why we say symptoms or even the lack of symtoms means nothing.

Most viruses need to be in the body for at least several days before producing symptoms, so you were most likely brewing this 'flu before you even had your encounter.

Whatever it was, it was nothing to do with hiv. You didn't have a risk.

Ann