HIV RASH? ARS?

[bananacake12]

I am a gay male in my 20s and about a month ago, I had a high-risk encounter with another gay man. We had unprotected anal sex (I was receiving) for 5 minutes (he did not ejaculate), but most of it was protected. I did have a slight cut in the area between my anus and my scrotum.

Approximately two weeks after the incident, my left lymph node has slightly swollen and my left tonsil had slightly swollen as well (it is still swollen and slightly sore to this day). I remember feeling a bit unwell as if a fever was to come, but my body temperature felt completely normal the entire time. The unwell feeling soon passed after a couple days, but my left lymph node remained slightly swollen as well as my left tonsil. I have experienced no other symptoms.

At the same time, I noticed that small pink dots (1 centimeter) had formed across my chest and my thighs, with some on my arm. They are rather mild, but there are a LOT all over my chest (I've never had anything like it before). The dots are NOT bumpy and just seem to be slight pigmentations as the surface skin seems unaffected (the surface is not bumpy, rough, nor rubbery at all). It has been nearly a month and the bumps are still there.

And yes, I WILL get tested as soon as I get the chance.

My questions:
1. Is this rash typical of ARS, considering I had no fever?
2. Are my symptoms overall typical of ARS?
3. Are my symptoms typical of any other STDs?

thank you.

[bananacake12]

I forgot to mention that the pink dots do not itch.

[bananacake12]

I'm sorry. Correction: i mean to say "It has been nearly a month and the DOTS are still there" not bumps

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Although nothing can be confirmed without examination but HIV needs to be ruled out in your case. Although the early symptoms of HIV are fever, nausea and vomiting but in some cases a sore throat, cough, a rash and/or swollen lymph glands may also be present. So confirmation is only done by specific tests for HIV like western blot, PCR and ELISA. These tests may show accuracy after 6 weeks to 6 months as HIV antibodies take time to develop in the body. My sincere advice would be to consult a physician.

I hope it helps. Take care and please do keep me posted in case you have any additional doubts. Kind regards.

[bananacake12]

Thank you for your response Doctor.

May I ask why you think HIV should be ruled out in my case? Also, is my skin rash indicative or suggestive of any other STDs?

The red dots seem to fade in and out (but not fade out completely), getting darker whenever I get anxious/nervous or take a shower... Weird...

[Bhupinder Kaur, MD]

Hello,
Three reasons for increased susceptibility to HIV infection in your case are :
1) It was an anal sex
2) It was unprotected intercourse
3) There was a tear on your skin through which the HIV virus can get a very easy entry.
The dots that are there can be due to hives and unfortunately skin rashes are also common in HIV infection. Please get HIV tests done from your doctor.
I hope it helps. Take care and regards.

[bananacake12]

Yes, but given that, why do you think HIV should be "ruled out" in my case? Doesn't "rule out" mean to exclude something as a possibility?

I highly doubt the rash is hives, as the hives I usually get from allergic reactions and whatnot are bumpy, blotchy (in clumps), and very very itchy. Plus, the hives I usually get go away after taking anti-histamines, and certainly do not stay on me for more than a couple hours.

I noticed that last night, the pink dots became more blotchy and noticeable (but never raised or rough) when I drank. But I also tend to flush when I drink. But my skin has never reacted like that before.

[bananacake12]

?

[Mcgruff1]

By "needs to be ruled out," I believe the doctor is stating that you need to get tested in order to rule it out (as in, "this is something that you must rule out definitively")