Last answers. Further questions will be deleted without comment.
1. No.
2. The rash is variable and not present in all persons with recently qcquired HIV. It is part of the ARS and not all persons who acquire HIV get the ARS.
You need to believe your negative tests. End of thread. EWH
Dr Hook,
Firstly, I apologize for the "what if questions", sever anxiety has got the best of me and can't seem to move on from this episode.
Secondly, I have two FINAL questions for you- they will close out this thread.
1. Today I woke up with a sharp pain in my right armpit that has lasted all day. I'm not sure if it's a swollen node or not. Would lymphadenopathy related to acute HIV cause swelling in the neck at 6 weeks post potential exposure then 4 weeks later cause swelling in the armpit?
2. I have heard multiple times that the rash associated with acute HIV is diffuse and red. In person with a darker complexion what would the rash look like (specifically the color)?
Thanks in advance for answering these questions,
Worried Well
Your anxiety is getting the best of you and "what if" questions will not help. Believe your test results.
1. Have you ever heard of occipital lymph node swelling being linked to acute HIV?
Persons with HIV may have generalized lymph node swelling, including the occipital nodes, however when symptoms and test results differ, the test results are always right. Many things can cause occipital node swelling.
2. Theoretically, If my symptoms were due to ARS wouldn't there be a fever, etc present?
No always.
3. Would CBC abnormalities be present during the acute stage of HIV?
Not always.
EWH
Thank you for the speedy response doctor!
I have three more quick questions, just to ease my mind.
1. Have you ever heard of occipital lymph node swelling being linked to acute HIV?
2. Theoretically, If my symptoms were due to ARS wouldn't there be a fever, etc present?
3. Would CBC abnormalities be present during the acute stage of HIV?
Again, thank you for your response. This ordeal has seriously been affecting me for the past couple of months and your response has certainly put me at ease.
Welcome to the Forum. It will be my pleasure to help you sort through your concerns. The first bit of good news is that the exposure was no risk. Even with HSV, if there was no penetration, there is no known risk to you of surface exposure to blood or genital secretions. Thus, at least from a medical perspective, there was no reason even for testing (although I certainly understand how you could worry, given the timing and nature of your symptoms). (BTW, congratulations on your commitment to safe sex. Properly used condoms will keep you healthy).
The second piece of good news is that you can be completely confident that you did not get HIV from the exposure you mentioned. While the timing was (coincidentally) right for the ARS, the fact is that if this were the ARS your subsequent tests for HIV would have been positive and without a doubt your OraQuick test would
have been positive. While we have recently had to re-evaluate the accuracy of the OraQuick test soon (i.e. in the first 6-8 weeks) after infection, you can be completely confident that your 9 week test results- you did not get HIV.
I hope this comment clarifies things. EWH