ARS

[sweetjane99]

how long do ARS symptoms usually last? and is joint pain a symptom?

[sweetjane99]

i read in a post where a guy said he has "all the symptoms" and he lists joint pain as one of them.  i AM having joint pain, i can't remember but i think Dr HHH said before that joint pain is not a symptom of hiv or any std.  does anyone know ???

[guiltnworry]

ARS symptoms start anywhere between 2-4 weeks and can last several days to a few weeks.  Joint pain is listed as a symptom of ARS, but it is likely that this is because of the flu like illness that it is, causing generalized weakness and not due to the HIV itself.  What was your exposure again?  I can't remember but I know I saw your post on here before.

[sweetjane99]

here is the link to my last post:

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/340766

i know everyone keeps saying symptoms don't sound like HIV ARS but i'm not sure.

would ALL the symptoms come together and leave together? i read a list of "initial infection" symptoms and "later stages" symptoms...at what time frame is it not considered 'initial' anymore adn is then 'later'??

[Teak]

You need to get a conclusive test at 3 months. Have you gone and retested? If your symptoms were due to ARS they come on all at once and they leave all at once, but you cannot rely on symptoms to know if you have been infect or not. The only way to know if one’s symptoms were due to ARS is only if they test positive.

[guiltnworry]

I just reread your risk.  You did have a risk because it was unprotected, but your 4 week test is really reassuring.  Get tested in two or four more weeks, making it 6-8 weeks and come back and post your negative result.  If you came to ANY clinic in Georgia, you would be reassured that your test is reliable, and if you tested negative at 6 weeks, we would tell you to leave us alone and use condoms next time.  Relax, only 2 more weeks!