ARS rash? please help!

Hi, I had a few questions about the ARS rash. I have rashes on the inside of my right and now left arm. They itch every once in a while, but I think it might be from when I am thinking about the rashes or worrying over them. I've heard that ARS rash doesn't itch, but I get concerned and confused because my rashes have been constantly on my arms over the past 2-3 days weather I think there itchy or not so that makes me worry sometimes about the ARS rash, but I dont know if thats me being stupid or not. I had an HIV scare on Oct. 30th, that being unprotected sex with a woman of unknown HIV status, I got and Oraquick mouth swab test done 25 days later on Nov. 24th which came back negative. I got sick later the same night as my test with a 102 temp and chills, sinus congestion and all that and got better with medicine after 5 days or so but then started with these rashes on Dec. 4th. So my rashes started then about 5 weeks after my exposure, is this too late to be an ARS rash??? Sorry for all the questions and background but I wanted to give everyone the background and reason for my worry as well as my questions. I have been worrying over these rashes and about my HIV risk in general but if anyone that knows what there talking about with HIV can please help me I would greatly appreciate it! Thank you in advance for everyones help.

[Collegedummy]

I know theres some experienced posters out there like lizzie lou and others if you guys could please help me out with some answers, thank you so much!

[LIZZIE LOU]

the rash associated with ARS is small, colored, flat, and raised.  it is painless and doesnt itch.  it is located on the trunk of the body and sometimes the face.

your rash came on too late for ars.  sounds like you had a reaction to one of the meds you were given.

[NeverAgain624]

Lizzie - Isn't it also true that the rash isn't regional?  Meaning only appearing in one location?  I have seen that characteristic described many times.  Your thoughts?

[Collegedummy]

Thank you so much for your help, just so I make sure I got all this my rash that started about 34 days after exposure would be too late for ARS? and the fact that the rashes are on my arms and not trunk is a good sign? Not to be an annoyance but when you say the rashes are small, how small do you mean, like dots? my rashes are like small light red dots or slighty raised bumps that will cover like a few inches of my arm. I ask this because my rashes are colored, mostly flat, raised at times and small depending on what you call small. I am hoping the rashes are caused by the medication I was on in which I just stopped because of the rashes incase it was the cause. Again thank you so much  and if you could answer my last nagging questions I would greatly appreciate it!

[dredded]

What is the typical time frame for the ARS rash which you described? How long would it typically last? I have a small rash on my upper cheek that resembles what you described. What do you mean by flat, raised. Thank-you

[LIZZIE LOU]

ars symptoms...if any...appear between 2-4 weeks after infection and last for 1-2 weeks.

i cannot diagnose your rash...only a doctor can do that.

[Collegedummy]

Thank you for your help Lizzie. One more question, I think it might be a stupid question but i'm curious anyway... everyone says that ARS lasts 1-2 weeks and happens between the 2-4 week period, I got sick with flu-like symptoms with a fever and chills at 25 days post exposure like i mentioned in my original post, but with medicine I got better pretty much in about 5 days. Now here comes the part I think might be a stupid question, if someone is really going through ARS and not some similar flu-like illness would medicine stop it and make you better in a few days or would the ARS symptoms like your fever, chills etc. continue for the average 1-2 weeks. I've always been curious but embaressed to ask because I didn't know if the ARS symptoms would continue for the average time or if you went on medication thinking it was a bad cold or something that the medicine would stop the symptoms. I was thinking this would obviously be a good sign that it's ARS if the ARS symptoms continued even with medicine but i'm not sure if that's how it works or that if you go on medicine thinking it's just a cold that it would stop the ARS symptoms. I'm sorry if my question is confusing, if it is or there's a part you don't understand please ask me, but if you could answer my question Lizzie or anyone that knows I would really appreciate it because i've been curious about this for awhile, again sorry if it's a stupid question, thank you for your answers in advance!

[NeverAgain624]

Here's the deal.  You CANNOT in any way shape or form judge whether or not you have HIV based on the symptoms you describe.  You could have every symptom right on cue and that still would not be indicitive on whether or not you had HIV.  Speaking from experience I suggest you go get tested.  I got tested at > 5 mos and I still find myself looking back at every possible ache, blemish, pain, etc... wondering if that was the onset of ARS.  If I had not gotten tested well past the 3 month window period my anxiety would be unbearable.  The anxiety is still there but I constantly read these forums and look at my elisa blood results for reassurance.  For weeks before I got tested I tried self diagnosis by reading thebody.com and medhelp.org.  It was not worth it and was a waste of time until I got tested!  MY ADVICE IS TO GET TESTED AT 12 WEEKS AND BE DONE WITH THIS MESS.

As has been stated by many Dr's at 4 weeks (essentially 25 days you mention above) the tests are 85-90% accurate so the chances of you being infected are small.  At 8 weeks they are 98-99% accurate so you could do that for peace of mind.  Just get tested because you will drive yourself nuts trying to figure this out on your own.  Only a test will tell you one way or another.

[Collegedummy]

Thanks for your comment and believe me I hear where your coming from. The reason I've been concerned is because i'm afraid my test was too early to pick up enough HIV antibodies and because I got sick with all the flu-like symptoms and rash after my test and  I won't be able to get tested for like 2 more weeks so all this put together has been causing more and more worry. I know I can't figure out if I have HIV from symptoms and only by a test, but since I won't be able to get tested for another 2 weeks I'm trying to atleast figure out my possible chances of HIV and if the things I've been experiencing could be related or if I can eliminate them from my worry. If i just sit around waiting for my next test I know i'll go crazy, so I'm atleast trying to learn as much as I can about HIV just in case. Thank you for your comment and help.

[Collegedummy]

Hey Lizzie, I know I've asked you a lot of questions but if you could answer the last question I asked you, (the dec. 7th one at 10:42 pm) I would be so thankful since I've always wanted to ask that question. I won't ask you anymore questions after since I know you have others to help. Again thank you so much for your help and for everyone else you have helped!