ALL symptoms within correct time frame after risk exposure

Dear Dr.,
I'm 29 male and had unprotected vaginal sex. 2 weeks later I asked the woman about last HIV test. She said I should get tested, that's what a normal person would do! She broke up EVERY contact to me after that.

I started freaking out after:

Exactly 28 days after contact I developed a soar throat and fever (37.9 deg C). At the same time I had a dry cough. The soar throat and fever went away after 2 days. Right after that I experienced bad joint and muscle pain as never had before in my life (hand,feet,elbow,knee). That went on for 8 days. 2 days after fever was gone the dry cough became VERY bad and then liquid that I could cough out with a very badly running nose as I didn't have it for the past 5 years.

One week after first symptom (fever) (5weeks after contact) I obverved first skin rash. The rash shows up as single object (hive). It is itchy in first 15min and always disappears after ~2hours. Every day I observed one single object randomly on my body. It stopped after 12 days. At the same time my body feels very itchy, especially my hands (still)!

2 weeks after first symptom (6weeks after contact) I now have lost ANY appetite. If I see or think of food I feel like vomiting. At the same time my intestine (gut?) feels very sensitive and weird and my stool is very soft (sometimes too soft). Lost 3kg so far.

Now, 7 weeks after contact I have headaches randomly coming and leaving all day. I noticed brown spots (like age spots) on the glans (glands) of my penis (not itchy,flat,not lifted, just there). Not sure if they were existent before.

I hardly get out of bed in the morning. I could sleep all day if I allowed myself to.

I had a negative antibody test after 6 weeks and 4 days (don't know what generation).
Please be straight up with me.
1.Are my symptoms alarming?
2.Do ARS symptoms show up typically at the same time or are they delayed in their order?
3.Is my skin rash typical? Is a bad cough, running nose typical?
4.ARS symptoms after 7 weeks?

Best wishes

[Dr Sean Cummings]

Hello,

I think the fact that you have had a negative HIV antibody test, even though you do not know which one, is encouraging and reassuring.

I think her response initially was likely to be anger or irritation with you and perhaps to tell you that you should of thought of the risks before and not after the event. I don't think she was trying to tell you that she was HIV positive - more likely she was trying to scare you - which by the sound of things she has.

I would advise taht you stop speculating yourself about whether you have HIV or not and go and see a doctor and ask for a 3rd or fourth generation HIV test - both will be more than 99% accurate at this point.

The symptoms you have - sore throat etc could be related to an acute HIV illness but the chances of aquiring HIV from a single episode are very unlikely indeed.

The only sensible thing is to go and get a test done and then you'll know for certain.

best regards, Sean

[daeumling]

I correct the skin rash. It is still appearing. I just noticed two single objects as described on my torso. I am begging you. Please help me. I am falling apart mentally.

[daeumling]

Thank you for your response.

Would have been a 3rd generation test at the time of my test be good enough?
Can you please still make a comment about the type of skin rash I have?
Do symptoms show up typically all at the same time or are they delayed in order?

I am really sorry for pushing my questions. Thank you for your help and advice.

[Dr Sean Cummings]

Hi again,

I have answered all these questions - read through my answer above again. Also check through some of the other Forum questions where you'll find some further detail.

No more on this please.

best wishes, Sean