sex with high risk prostitute

[scared1211585]

Hi Dr H.,
I posted in January about a high risk encounter with a with a prostitute.  I am 25 years old.  I received unprotected oral sex and you said there was nothing to worry about as far as HIV was concerned.  I tested negative for HIV about two weeks after my encounter in January so the test may have not detected it.  About a week later I developed an itchy rash all over my body.  I initially attributed it to either Wellbutrin, which I had just started taking about two weeks prior, or tylenol, which I havent been allergic to before but I took it right before developing the rash.  I was prescribed prednisone which stopped the rash.  Would the ARS rash also be responsive to steroids?  Do you think that this could have been an ARS rash?  I am particularly worried because today I was informed by my dermatologist that I likely have genital warts.  She mentioned that it is very widespread but most people do not show symptoms, usually only people with weakened immune systems show symptoms.  As I developed the warts after this incident in January, I am now extremely worried about the possibility of having HIV that went undetected in that test.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The rash of ARS usually goes away within a few days of appearing without any therapy at all.  I suppose it could be mistaken for an allergic reaction since some doctors suggest that virtually all rashes are allergic reactions.  This is irrlevant to you - you are not at risk for HIV.  EWH

[scared1211585]

But generally speaking is the ARS rash like an allergic reaction?  Would it go away with steroids?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

My reply this evening will be the same as Dr. Handsfield's was 6 months ago- the exposure you describe was virtually no risk for HIV.  If you  are still worried and have lingering concerns, the thing to do is go get tested. The test will be negative and at that point you can stop worrying.  

Your rash could have been anything but that chance that it was a manifestation of early HIV is not even worth speculating on. As I said, get tested so you can put this behind you.  

I agree with ost of what your dermatologist said about warts.  They are a manifestation of HPV infection and are very, very widespread.  The idea that visible warts are a manifestation of a weakened immune system is an overstatement however.  Once more, just get tested.  Take care.  EWH