Aa
Please comment on my symptoms
Hi,
Some of you may remember that a few days ago, talking about having had unprotected sex with a prostitute. When I posted, it was the day right after the possible exposure had happened.
To begin with, I just want to say that I know the risks are low for female to male with vaginal sex, and it's unknown if the woman even had HIV to begin with.
But for a few days now, I've been experiencing scary symptoms with my lymph glands. I'd like to know if this sounds anything like what you'd find for the early ARS symptoms.
What I'm feeling is a kind of stiffness and a light tickle sensation that has been going on for 3 days. It's on the left side only, and started under my jaw 3 days ago. It then extended to my neck (again left side only), and remained for the following day. Today the neck stiffness had dissipated, coming back only once in a while, and a lot lighter than before. However, I had a different kind of stiffness, this time in my shoulder; and it was accompanied a sensation of warmth. I also sometimes felt like I feel the day before a sore throat is about to develop: no pain, just a little bit of tightness inside my throat (it is now the evening and that sensation seems to be gone).
Also, last night I woke up because I was thirsty, and when I had a glass of water it caused intense pain in my chest; as if something was pushing to come out. This dissipated in a minute, however. It could have been due to the dehydration caused by spending the day in tears yesterday (I told the truth to my girlfriend and as a result our day was quite bad).
I know for sure that the initial jaw and neck stiffness, at least, WAS due to the lymph nodes, since the exact points where I felt the tickle correspond PRECISELY to the nodes positions on this diagram
http://services.epnet.com/GetImage.aspx/getImage.aspx?ImageIID=6710
right down to the little "tail" that extends towards the corner of the mouth. Also, yesterday, the nurse at the school where I work told me that my nodes were slightly enlarged on the left side (I can't find anything with my own hands though, I just don't know what to feel for).
Now, here's the catch: this started happening 3 DAYS after the possible exposure. I know. The doctors on this site say that it takes about 2 weeks for symptoms to develop. However, another doctor told me that it would be possible, although extremely rare and unusual, for symptoms to develop after 3 days (she admited, however, that she was no HIV expert. She is a general practicioner).
So here are my questions:
1. Is it possible, if not in anybody's experience, at least in theory, that the symptoms would develop this early? If not, could you please explain why this is impossible?
2. Did what I describe sound anything like what could happen for early HIV symptoms?
3. What else could cause those symptoms? When I get sick with a cold, it's very different from what I have right now. I've never felt this way before. Could any other STD be doing it? One where these symptoms would come out earlier than with HIV?
Thanks everyone. Please by honest, tell me what you really think, not just stuff that will make me feel better.
(and yes I will get tested this month, in 2 months, and later than that too if it still says negative).
Some of you may remember that a few days ago, talking about having had unprotected sex with a prostitute. When I posted, it was the day right after the possible exposure had happened.
To begin with, I just want to say that I know the risks are low for female to male with vaginal sex, and it's unknown if the woman even had HIV to begin with.
But for a few days now, I've been experiencing scary symptoms with my lymph glands. I'd like to know if this sounds anything like what you'd find for the early ARS symptoms.
What I'm feeling is a kind of stiffness and a light tickle sensation that has been going on for 3 days. It's on the left side only, and started under my jaw 3 days ago. It then extended to my neck (again left side only), and remained for the following day. Today the neck stiffness had dissipated, coming back only once in a while, and a lot lighter than before. However, I had a different kind of stiffness, this time in my shoulder; and it was accompanied a sensation of warmth. I also sometimes felt like I feel the day before a sore throat is about to develop: no pain, just a little bit of tightness inside my throat (it is now the evening and that sensation seems to be gone).
Also, last night I woke up because I was thirsty, and when I had a glass of water it caused intense pain in my chest; as if something was pushing to come out. This dissipated in a minute, however. It could have been due to the dehydration caused by spending the day in tears yesterday (I told the truth to my girlfriend and as a result our day was quite bad).
I know for sure that the initial jaw and neck stiffness, at least, WAS due to the lymph nodes, since the exact points where I felt the tickle correspond PRECISELY to the nodes positions on this diagram
http://services.epnet.com/GetImage.aspx/getImage.aspx?ImageIID=6710
right down to the little "tail" that extends towards the corner of the mouth. Also, yesterday, the nurse at the school where I work told me that my nodes were slightly enlarged on the left side (I can't find anything with my own hands though, I just don't know what to feel for).
Now, here's the catch: this started happening 3 DAYS after the possible exposure. I know. The doctors on this site say that it takes about 2 weeks for symptoms to develop. However, another doctor told me that it would be possible, although extremely rare and unusual, for symptoms to develop after 3 days (she admited, however, that she was no HIV expert. She is a general practicioner).
So here are my questions:
1. Is it possible, if not in anybody's experience, at least in theory, that the symptoms would develop this early? If not, could you please explain why this is impossible?
2. Did what I describe sound anything like what could happen for early HIV symptoms?
3. What else could cause those symptoms? When I get sick with a cold, it's very different from what I have right now. I've never felt this way before. Could any other STD be doing it? One where these symptoms would come out earlier than with HIV?
Thanks everyone. Please by honest, tell me what you really think, not just stuff that will make me feel better.
(and yes I will get tested this month, in 2 months, and later than that too if it still says negative).
Your symptoms don't even sound like ARS to begin with, and ARS doesn't occur that early.
Test for HIV at 6-8 weeks and again at 12 weeks for a conclusive result.
And use condoms from now on.
Test for HIV at 6-8 weeks and again at 12 weeks for a conclusive result.
And use condoms from now on.
ARS - Acute Retroviral Syndrome
It can occur 2-4 weeks post exposure. Flu-like symptoms are present. It may or may not occur with infected persons.
Symptoms are an impossible gauge for HIV, however. Some infected persons never show any symptoms.
It can occur 2-4 weeks post exposure. Flu-like symptoms are present. It may or may not occur with infected persons.
Symptoms are an impossible gauge for HIV, however. Some infected persons never show any symptoms.
I see.
So, people who do get symptoms, get them mostly all together?
And not just the swollen nodes one day, something else the next, etc?
So, people who do get symptoms, get them mostly all together?
And not just the swollen nodes one day, something else the next, etc?
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