10 weeks post exposure, now developing ARS rash

Hey guys. I've been a mess since I made the biggest mistake of my life.  10 weeks ago. Got blacked out drunk. Had sex with a much older woman.  Didn't/don't know her and don't remember any of the act. :(

It has been 10 weeks now since my sexual encounter, and I now have a more pronounced rash up and down the left and right side of my abdomen/trunk.

To describe it: It kind of looks like dry skin, looking like skin is chapped and then kind of rough with some red spots.  I'm really really scared.

I know people will say, test at 12 weeks...That is the only way you can know. Or, Symptoms mean nothing....but come on....I've had every symptom in the book now. Doesn't this sound like trademark ARS RASH?

Please help me. Any insight and knowledge on the ARS rash would be helpful

[Teak]

No you are not. ARS symptoms don't come on that late.

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

thank you Teak.

Well then, is there anyway an HIV rash could start this early?

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

And again Teak, I've very sorry if that sounds offensive. I just don't know the difference between ARS and HIV symptoms.

[RainLover71]

You know when to test to receive your conclusive results.Not long to go now and forget about symptoms that mean nothing at all.

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

I will test in exactly 2 weeks, to obtain my conclusive result.  But Im still very scared. And I just want to know if this RASH is related to HIV

[RainLover71]

No,your rash is not related to Hiv and the 2 weeks will fly by.It's a shame you didn't have a DUO test at 4 weeks because it would have been 99.89% accurate.Anyway,all the best and let us know how you go.

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

I did have my blood drawn at the hospital at 3 1/2 weeks. I think it was a DUO. I'm not sure. But it was negative.

[Teak]

3 months post exposure is when you can obtain your conclusive negative test result.

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

I believe I posted about this weeks ago when it happened. I can't remember the name of the blood test at the hospital though. I hope it was the DUO.  They drew my blood on a Wednesday night and the Doctor called me Friday morning with the results. The DR assured me it was something like 90% conclusive, and that I should simply get another test at 3 months to make it 100% and put this behind me.

Teak, I know that 3 months is the CDC standard, and I plan on getting a rapid mouth swab test at 3 months, hopefully it will be NEGATIVE. AND HOPEFULLY, at that point, I can finally put this worry to rest. I just have a really really bad feeling about it though. I'm almost certain I have it.
:<

[RainLover71]

Relax and never put the cart before the horse.You just need to take that test.

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

but what if I did get the DUO? I could be resting much easier....I can't remember the name of the blood test he did....ahhhhhhhh!

[RainLover71]

A DUO/COMBO looks for both p24 antigen and antibodies and at 3 weeks is highly effective.The best thing you can do is wait 2 weeks,you have made it to 10 weeks,what's another 2.

[Teak]

A Duo test will not give a conclusive negative test result any earlier than a standard antibody test.

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

Teak, I know that 3 months is the CDC standard and I will do the responsible thing and take the 3 month test.

But, Getitright77, how would I know if it was DUO/COMBO or not? The Doctor didn't say. It seemed just to be 1 blood test. They only drew my blood once and filled up one vile. So, maybe it wasn't that one.  

[Teak]

They only have to draw your blood once. It would be on the paperwork what tet was used.

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

Well, da*n. I'm looking at my paperwork...It looks like I didn't get that test.  I'm freaking out even more now.  

This is what the test says on my paperwork:

"HIV1/II AB Screen" and "RPR"

:< ahh

[Teak]

Antibody test

[RainLover71]

It won't provide a 100% conclusive result but there is no doubt that such a test is highly effective at that time frame.Many an Hiv expert has said this time and time again.It should always be an option for the person having the test to have a DUO at 4 weeks and then follow up at 3 Months for the final result.

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

why would they give me that test at 3 1/2 weeks and not the DUO!?

I'm really really scared and freaking out now

[RainLover71]

Either because you didn't request a DUO or it wasn't avaliable where you tested or there just silly.

[Teak]

It won't provide a conclusive negative test at all until 3 months post exposure.

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

well great. I'm literally freaking out now. I thought I had taken the DUO....this is so scary.

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

can you provide me a little more insight why what I'm currently experiencing can't be an ARS rash!? I have dry skin up and down my left and right trunk as well as across the abdomen. Which has flaky red spots. REALLY SCARY.

[Teak]

Your not this late in the game.

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

why?

[Teak]

If one has ARS symptoms they come on 2-4 weeks post exposure and last 1-2 weeks.

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

Ok well that is good news, but isn't there a chance I could have some lingering rash?

[Teak]

Not and call it ARS.

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

Thanks Teak.

Ok, well then, one last question. Is there a way this could be an early HIV rash? Is there such a thing? I believe I asked this once but didn't get an answer.

[howami]

At 6 weeks then u can have symptoms? 4+ 2

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

so I can?

[Teak]

It has been 10 weeks now since my sexual encounter, and I now have a more pronounced rash up and down the left and right side of my abdomen/trunk.


You are not having ARS.

[nursegirl6572]

For one, I don't know WHY you woukd be freaking out about your 1st negative HIV test.  Regardless of what TYPE of test you had, any negative result is promising, and is highly unlikely to become positive if you tested 2 weeks ago. That should be reassuring to you.

Secondly, your rash has absolutely nothing to do with HIV.  A rash occurs with ARS (acute retroviral syndrome) when someone is developing antibodies and becoming positive.  Like Teak told you, your rash is WAY too late to be related to ARS, and there is not anything called an HIV rash, or a rash related to HIV outside of ARS.

You're almost there, test at the appropriate time and then put this behind you.  Hopefully the level of anxiety you've had will serve as a learning experience for you.  Sex and alcohol don't mix.  Not to mention, getting "black out" drunk is dangerous in all kinds of ways.  I would highly recommend seeking help for your drinking if this is a regular occurence for you.

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

I appreciate your comments and concern.

That was the 1st time I've ever drank that much, and I indeed learned my lesson. I  hope I get through this. I don't know. I'm still very very very scared and worried and scared and I've convinced myself that I have it.

Also, I tested 3 1/2 weeks post exposure. So that test was totally and completely useless.....I wish I had gotten the DUO.

[RainLover71]

It's not completely useless at all.At 3 1/2 weeks it would be 90% accurate.Keep yourself busy for the next 2 weeks.

[RainLover71]

The news will be good.Trust me.

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

I'm sorry for all the comments, obviously I'm very scared and I don't mean to offend anyone with more questions. I received a warning for many questions, because as Teak has said, 3 months will be conclusive.

But, I really do have one last question here that I haven't asked yet and that I  hope you 2 will answer for me.

So, this Friday, December 17th, it will have been 12 weeks.  I can't believe I made it this far. I did the math and counted the days, it will actually be 12 weeks exactly on Saturday, so, Friday is 83 days.  I plan on getting the rapid oral mouth test on Friday, and hopefully receiving great news that will have taught me a valuable lesson.  But, is 83 days ok for a conclusive result?  That is nearly 12 weeks....Or would 90 days constitute 3 months?

Man, I'm horrified. This will undoubtedly be the longest week of my life.  I keep thinking back to the event, or as much as I can remember. All I remember is seeing a condom on the floor the following morning, but not remember if I used it the entire time, etc. etc.  I also remember having a small rash, reddish circle on my pe*is the following day, which lasted for about 2 days before it healed, and basically scabbed off. I'm hoping I didn't get an open wound during the act. I don't know if that constituted an open wound or not and I don't know if I had a break in my skin. All I know is that it was a small red circle that looked like a wound.  Even worse, I've been participating in safe sex with condoms every time with a new girl and I have never once had this similar rash/wound happen again. This has led me to believe that I likely didn't ware a condom and has led me to freak out for over 2 1/2 months now. If people remember from my posts, I also freaked out last week when I found out that I didn't in fact get a DUO blood test at 3 1/2, but rather the Doctor gave me a normal blood test.....Couple this in with all of my symptoms, the Geographic Tongue that has lasted for over 10 weeks. The swollen lymph nodes, and the constant fatigue, and I'm horrifed and ready for the bad news on Friday.  I will obviously sign onto MEDHELP asap after the appointment and post my results.

Anyways, I hope 83 days is close enough for a conclusive result. I'm preparing for the bad news and I'm very very scared. Is 83 days ok?

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

what do you think? If i get tested on Friday, at 83 days, is that considered conclusive?

[RainLover71]

YES.100% conclusive.

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

But, Getitright77, and again, thank you for all of your help along the way...And I'm praying for a NEGATIVE result this Friday and to come back on here and share the good news. But, I'm confused. Is it 12 weeks, 90 days, or 3 months?! They all seem pretty close, but by dictionary definitions they are all different....

[RainLover71]

It's the same 12 or 13 weeks is conclusive.Your test at 83 days will be conclusive.No need to stress.

[andrew136]

All the same. 12 weeks is 3 months. The minimum cut off point for 3 months, if you put it in a way. No difference in 12 weeks and 90 days or 3 months.

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

ok, thanks guys....Well, I guess I gotta find a way to make it through this week. I've never been this nervous in my life. NEVER. I'm very terrified. But we shall see.

thanks again

[AYS111]

Dear sure you will be fine waiting for good news from you
I'm with you in the same boat
No I still have two weeks to test
But I'm sure we will be okay
Good luck

[scaredtodeathHSVHIV]

hey guys,

so, this is a lot harder than I thought it would be. I barely made it through the day. I couldn't get anything done at work, and I'm literally scared to death. Is there any difference in taking it on Wed, Thur rather than Friday? That would put me at 81 days or 82 days....not 83.  :<

[pirapiline]

Expect a negative result.

[Teak]

Do not pull up and post to old threads.