Aa
Stressed out, need some assurance
I know that most of my symptoms are attributable to other things including the stress. I also know my risk of exposure was low. Mostly I wanted a definitive answer on when symptoms would occur.
I had unprotected sex 3 months ago, vaginal and oral only with a 21 year woman who says she was tested negative within a few months before that. She indicates she rarely has unprotected sex. I had not been with anyone other than my SO who is monogamous in the previous 2 years.
I had no symptoms for at least 10 weeks after, then a sudden onset of a massive headache and serious fatigue for the rest of that day but alleviated by pain reliever. The next day I was ok. Then one week later after an exhausting weekend working outdoors (I have bad allergies and had not been taking Zyrtec for a few weeks) another sudden headache and felt warm on my face but had no temperature. I also had what felt like a bad sinus infection and over the next several days experienced lots of drainage and some tenderness in the lymph nodes of the neck but not anything i would describe as swelling. The headaches and warm face have persisted all week. I also had a lot of muscle soreness but also some joint, back, neck soreness and bizarre sharp twinges in places like my forearms, calves, knees.
I had read the HIV symptoms and started imagining all kinds of things and I lost a lot of sleep which did not help. I was very fatigued - but never so bad that i missed work and by the end of this week i was sleeping better and the sinus symptoms were diminishing but headaches still.
I have had a little nausea, but no vomiting or diarrhea, a lot of gas and feeling distended. Also my testicles started feeling just a little sore, not swollen, no noticeable other lymph nodes. Also I've had the slight feeling of needing to urinate but it passes and i'm not really urinating more than normal as it passes quickly.
Anyway besides all my symptoms, is 10-12 weeks later for this to start too late to be related?
I had unprotected sex 3 months ago, vaginal and oral only with a 21 year woman who says she was tested negative within a few months before that. She indicates she rarely has unprotected sex. I had not been with anyone other than my SO who is monogamous in the previous 2 years.
I had no symptoms for at least 10 weeks after, then a sudden onset of a massive headache and serious fatigue for the rest of that day but alleviated by pain reliever. The next day I was ok. Then one week later after an exhausting weekend working outdoors (I have bad allergies and had not been taking Zyrtec for a few weeks) another sudden headache and felt warm on my face but had no temperature. I also had what felt like a bad sinus infection and over the next several days experienced lots of drainage and some tenderness in the lymph nodes of the neck but not anything i would describe as swelling. The headaches and warm face have persisted all week. I also had a lot of muscle soreness but also some joint, back, neck soreness and bizarre sharp twinges in places like my forearms, calves, knees.
I had read the HIV symptoms and started imagining all kinds of things and I lost a lot of sleep which did not help. I was very fatigued - but never so bad that i missed work and by the end of this week i was sleeping better and the sinus symptoms were diminishing but headaches still.
I have had a little nausea, but no vomiting or diarrhea, a lot of gas and feeling distended. Also my testicles started feeling just a little sore, not swollen, no noticeable other lymph nodes. Also I've had the slight feeling of needing to urinate but it passes and i'm not really urinating more than normal as it passes quickly.
Anyway besides all my symptoms, is 10-12 weeks later for this to start too late to be related?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I saw this before responding above. It does not change my opinion or advice.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the HIV forum.
Responding first to the opening question, before I read beyond it: The "defintive" answer is that symptoms of acute HIV infection (acute retroviral syndrome, ARS) typically start at 10-20 days and generally last 2-4 weeks, i.e. until 6-8 weeks after exposure. Exceptions on either side of these times are rare.
Now I have read the rest. First, you describe a low risk exposure. The chance a partner like yours has HIV is nearly zero, assuming you are in the US or other industrialized country. Second, not only are your symptoms too late, but they don't really suggest HIV, which doesn't cause headache as the main symptom, and it just about always causes substantial fever, which you don't mention. HIV also doesn't cause nasal congestion, sinus drainage, nausea, or intestinal symptoms of the sort you mention. In short, there is nothing in your story that makes me think HIV is a remote possibility. Third and finally, back to the timing: yes, 10-12 weeks is definitely too late for HIV symptoms. Whatever you have, almost certainly it is entirely unrelated to your sexual exposure 3 months ago.
Since you're nervous about HIV, probably you should be tested for reassurance. This is not "code" meaning I really believe there is some risk you have it. I do not. You can expect a negative test result.
Regards-- HHH, MD
Responding first to the opening question, before I read beyond it: The "defintive" answer is that symptoms of acute HIV infection (acute retroviral syndrome, ARS) typically start at 10-20 days and generally last 2-4 weeks, i.e. until 6-8 weeks after exposure. Exceptions on either side of these times are rare.
Now I have read the rest. First, you describe a low risk exposure. The chance a partner like yours has HIV is nearly zero, assuming you are in the US or other industrialized country. Second, not only are your symptoms too late, but they don't really suggest HIV, which doesn't cause headache as the main symptom, and it just about always causes substantial fever, which you don't mention. HIV also doesn't cause nasal congestion, sinus drainage, nausea, or intestinal symptoms of the sort you mention. In short, there is nothing in your story that makes me think HIV is a remote possibility. Third and finally, back to the timing: yes, 10-12 weeks is definitely too late for HIV symptoms. Whatever you have, almost certainly it is entirely unrelated to your sexual exposure 3 months ago.
Since you're nervous about HIV, probably you should be tested for reassurance. This is not "code" meaning I really believe there is some risk you have it. I do not. You can expect a negative test result.
Regards-- HHH, MD
No need to reply to me again.
Just wanted to say thanks for helping put my mind at ease and that you are doing an invaluable service here. It must take a lot of patience as there are a lot of people who are stressed and worried asking for answers.
My only apprehension about being tested is because i hate needles or drawing blood and i'm not really comfortable in hospitals or medical facilities. But i suppose if i want total peace of mind i will have to get up the nerve for that.
But i'm feeling much better with your assurances and description.
Just wanted to say thanks for helping put my mind at ease and that you are doing an invaluable service here. It must take a lot of patience as there are a lot of people who are stressed and worried asking for answers.
My only apprehension about being tested is because i hate needles or drawing blood and i'm not really comfortable in hospitals or medical facilities. But i suppose if i want total peace of mind i will have to get up the nerve for that.
But i'm feeling much better with your assurances and description.
I forgot to mention she had a clit piercing about a week or so before the sex.
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