ARS during PEP??

Hey Guys,

I'm really freaked out right now so I appriciate if you can help me by answering my questions.

I had a possible exposure about 3 weeks ago where there might have been a very brief penetration during mainly mutual oral intercourse. The guys told me that he is negative however, I started PEP ~65 hours after exposure and everything had been fine until last week when I started to feel discomfort in my throat (not sore throat but like allergy/sinus irritation). Few days later I started to have a sore neck so I started to check for any swollen lymph nodes until I found a single one 3 days ago. I checked other places and yesterday I found that my left armpit is also swollen (not too bid though, each node is about 1-3mm now). I went to see my specialist and he said that this is not ARS since I can not get ARS while on PEP (kaletra+combivir). However, today (3 weeks post exposure) there are other nodes which are enlarged on my neck (again around 1-3mm each). I do not have any fever or rashes. also I still have some throat discomfort.

Is it possible that these swollen glands are due to seroconversion during PEP? can ARS happens without fever?

thanks

[LIZZIE LOU]

are you telling us that a "doctor" put you on nPEP for oral sex????????

[redwsam]

no, there was some penile/anal rubbing involved and I was afraid that there might have been a penetration for a short time (30 sec). It did not hurt during or after. I never had anal sex before so I really didnt know how it feels so just to be sure I was given PEP for 28 days to reduce the risk even further. now i'm having swollen glands in my neck and armpit (manily left side) but my neck is stiff on both sides and it seems that the glands on my right side are getting bigger too. the throat discomfort is also making me worried. what do you think? am i experiencing ARS during PEP?

[LIZZIE LOU]

you've never had anal sex and you dont know if there was penetration?  believe me...YOU WOULD KNOW...no question about it.

you never needed nPEP ! ! ! ! ! !

see your doctor if you think you have swollen nodes.  it is my experience that most ppl who come here claiming their nodes are swollen, dont-when they actually see their doctor.   also...poking around hunting for them can cause them to swell.

you are not having ars because you were never at risk for contracting hiv.

[redwsam]

thanks for your VERY comforting reply. I checked with my doctor and he noticed that they are swollen (1-3mm each) alittle but he said that it is not of concern since the PEP regiem that I'm on it is very potent and therefore virus can not replicate and as a result ARS is not possible during this 28 day...do you think this is true? also if we assume that PEP failed, is it possible to experience ARS with swollen lymph nodes and little throat discomfort (without fever)?

sorry for being persistent but I need to know this as my doctor confirmed swollen glands. I have to admit though that I had been poking my glands at least 5-6 time per day in the past 3-4 days!

[LIZZIE LOU]

once again...you would have known if you were penetrated and transmission requires penetration.  go get yourself a dildo and insert if in your anus and see if you "feel" it.

you are not experiencing ars.

[Teak]

You were never at risk of contracting HIV nor should any doctor have given you nPEP.

[redwsam]

Thank you both for your comments. I guess when you start to think about "symptoms" you would forget about actual risks involved. well now I feel much more relaxed.

[RainLover71]

1.zero Hiv risk 2.again,zero Hiv risk 3.And again,zero Hiv risk. 4.Which goose put you on nPEP? 5.Test for more common STD's. 6.Have a good one.