ARS Symptoms

[happa]

Six weeks ago I had a possible exposure (unprotected sex with a prostitutes in Thailand). About 3.5 weeks ago I got a really bad sore throat, mouth sores inside my mouth and felt like I had a horrible head cold (dizzy, lightheaded, some nausea), but no fever. This resolved ever slow slowly over the last 3 weeks (possibly due to stress)until now I seem to only have a very persistent 'irritated' throat, though not as bad as three weeks ago. I never noted a fever though. In addition, 3.5 weeks ago, I began  to have a lymph node that became enlarged in my right groin only. For two weeks I thought it was a pulled muscle or hernia. It has gotten slightly worse in the last week and today a Physician said it was indeed a lymph node and he estimated the size at 2cm. It is a dull ache/constant pressure rather than sharp pain. He inspected my other lymph nodes (neck, armpits, and other groin and did not find any) In ARS I saw that lymphadenopathy is common. Is ARS ever just one groin lymph node (such as in my case)or usually more than one (systemic and throughout the body, arm pits, throat, and groin)? I had an Elisa and Antigen sent today and am wishing for the best. Since I am an American at an army base in Korea, I have to wait 2 weeks or more for the results due to shipping time back to the US for the results. I tested negative for all other common STDs so far as well. Does ARS ever present as a persistent (multiple weeks) sore throat with one enlarged,sore lymph node in the groin (without fever)? Thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

When lymphadenopathy (lymph node inflammation/enlargement) occurs in ARS, it is generally in several locations:  neck, armpits, groin, etc.  A single inflamed node does not suggest HIV.  Inflamed groin nodes are common and generally are due to a localized infection of the leg or foot, often an apparently very minor like a hangnail.  And of course sore throat also has a hundred possible causes, mostly more common than HIV.  If you also consider the fact that only a minority of Thai sex workers have HIV and that a single exposure always carries a low risk of transmission, on balance it is extremely unlikely that you have HIV.  You could get tested for HIV at any time with reliable results.  The chance it will be positive are slim.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[Vancouver7]

"You could get tested for HIV at any time with reliable results. The chance it will be positive are slim."

Are you indicating that because his exposure was considered low risk that a HIV negative result anytime after exposure would be reliable? Or because it has been over 6 weeks from exposure.

Thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I meant any time from here on.

[Vancouver7]

Is there any studies which indicate the % of people who have the ARS symptoms and test positive? Would a lack of ARS symptoms be a good indication that you did not catch the HIV virus?