Does it look like ARS or Acute HIV Infection?

This is the History of my symptoms till 9th week.

Apologies for this long post but the Symptoms really killing me.

Let me start with some details.
I had exposure of Unprotected Vaginal with a female about 9 weeks ago whom i didn't know and met through one of my cousin.
She lives alone and drinks every night and had multiple sexual partners.

Before having the intercourse she herself told me that she is HIV negative and got tested yesterday which gave me suspicion.

I started feeling worried soon after that day a Tingling sensation on the TIP of my Penis.

After approx after 3 weeks and Early Middle of 4th week -
Tuesday onwards I started having some vertigo like feeling with Dizziness with Heavy Eyes, Warm Forehead and Face and loss of energy from the start of third week.
Checked Fever with Thermometer came to be 97.8 in most of the week.
Had Diarrhea on Saturday of 3rd Weekend - Once on Lunch Time. Body felt Feverish. Checked Temperature with Thermometer once again- 98.1
Had Diarrhea again on Sunday following Day - Once in Lunch Time. Body felt Feverish. Checked Temperature with Thermometer once again- 98.4-99.1
NO RASH or Swollen Glands in this week.
Wondered if that was Acute HIV Symptoms (ARS) which is typically in 2-4 weeks time.


Rest of the 4th Week:
Back to Normal self - all symptoms gone without any explanation.

Star of Week 5:
Started coming down with Dizziness again with Heavy Eyes, Warm Forehead and Face  which stayed there for 3-4 days Checked Fever but again fluctuated  97.4 - 98.1 with no other symptoms. Rest of the 5th week I was fine again BUT noticed some Wetness on my Forehead and Neck for one or 2 mornings when I woke up. Itching still continues sometimes have needlish pain on the Tip of my penis and tingling in Urethra.
Red Pimples/more like Bumps Popped up on Left Shoulder.

Start of Week 6:
Came down with Dizziness with Heavy Eyes, Warm Forehead and Face on and off after every 2-3 days in that week. Checked Fever but again fluctuated 97.2 - 98.9 with Itching on Genitals and Body for most of the days and nights.
Also, noticed some Wetness on my Forehead and Neck for one or 2 mornings when I woke up.
Itching still continues sometimes have needlish pain on the Tip of my penis and tingling in Urethra
Red Pimples/more like Bumps still there.

Start of Week 7:
Had Dizziness for Most of the days again with Heavy Eyes, Warm Forehead and Face  but no other symptoms except noticed some Wetness on my Forehead and Neck for one or 2 mornings when I woke up. Itching still continues sometimes have needlish pain on the Tip of my penis and tingling in Urethra.
Red Pimples/more like Bumps still there.

Start of Week 8:
Had Dizziness with Heavy Eyes, Warm Forehead and Face for just the weekend Saturday and Sunday
Itching still continues sometimes have needlish pain on the Tip of my penis and tingling in Urethra.
Red Pimples/more like Bumps still there along with couple of new ones on Right Shoulder and chest.

Week 9: Went healthy But Itching still continues sometimes have needlish pain on the Tip of my penis and tingling in Urethra. Red Pimples/more like Bumps still there along with new ones

NO RASH or HIGH FEVERs (low grade fevers) No Swollen Glands during these 9 weeks.

During these sickening Episodes I started googling the symptoms and I came across this website where some ARS (Acute HIV Infection) Symptoms were listed which exactly looked like mine which got me extremely worried.

Are they HIV Symptoms including NIGHT Sweats OR straight fully blown AIDS?

I am worried till grave!!

[cna341]

symptoms mean nothing in judging people's HIV status. because they are totally unspecific .that said,your symptoms are not worrisome for or even suggestive of ARS.
but they really are suggestive of classical anxiety symptoms.diarrhea,dizziness,heavy eyes,warm forehead they are classic symptoms of chronic stress and anxiety.
have a HIV test after 12 weeks.all hiv tests these days include antibody for HIV2.your risk was low and you can expect a NEGATIVE result.

[delhiguy]

Thanks cna341,

I agree with you that they are not suggestive for ARS/ Acute HIV Infection.
I also understand ARS happens between 2-4 weeks and stays for 1 or 2 weeks.

Also, if it would have been ARS then they would not have been carrying this long (till 8 weeks) BUT vice Versa IF it is anxiety and these symptoms stayed till 8 weeks and still should have continued. BUT after 8 weeks i am feeling normal and healthy again.
Can you please give me some information with this too?

I appreciate in advance!!

[debonair3]

Lol stop asking questions about your symptoms and go test Delhi. I just made another neg. Test at 11 wks yesterday and I still have symptoms but I'm starting to believe that it just might not be hiv.  I'm now seeing a doctor for my symptoms.  So when they say symptoms don't  mean anything, u shld believe them and go TEST.

[delhiguy]

Hi Debonair,

I want to stop asking questions but symptoms are coming on and that doesnot mean that i am coming here for diagnosis.

But just to have re assurance from most of them who were in my boat at some point of time and other experts who have been doing study about the disease.

I really appreciate the good work you guys are doing?

Thanks a lot in advance

[NickOne7]

As you have been told testing is the ONLY way of knowing your status NOT symptoms. Most all people on this forum have many symptoms and yet had NO RISK or tested NEG

This tells you that symptoms mean NOTHING

[delhiguy]

Thanks for your encouragement guys,

but the symptoms seem to be gone now after 8 weeks but just curious that unconsistent diarrhea for 2 days and feverish feeling for 4-5 weeks every 3-4 days worries me a bit as its not usually I have been feeling but after the exposure this is all happened. Also, some wetness on head and neck for couple of random mornings in Cold Weather. Isn't it Unusual?

[delhiguy]

Its 4 more weeks to go for 13 month mark for me to have conclusive test.

but before that i want to assess my risks.
I know My symptoms are not suggestive of ARS but as most of the posters say and like yourself along with other experts that Symptoms of HIV can be unspecific and alot of articles also tell that they come in gorup of Symptoms (if at all occurs) mainly 3 are the Specific highlights which are High fever, Sore throat and RASH post infection with in 1-4 weeks.
They can be SEVERE which requires medical or emergency attention (which i think i didnt fall on that category)
OR
They are so mild that they can go unnoticed.

so  my question is:
IF symptoms happen at all, the mild symptoms: How long they stay for Minimum and do they come in groups as well.I meant do they come 2 to 3 or more. Or is there has been case documented with Inconsistent Diarrhea for 2 Days Only on lunch times and for 3-4 days of Lethargy (if we think Hypothetically and take them as non-specific symptoms).

What are the odds?
I am fine from the last a week and a half with no dizziness or Feverish feeling which lasted till 7 weeks post exposure, said that, I know that symptoms doesn't occur for that long and normally ends till end of 4 weeks.

Please assess my risks!!

[LIZZIE LOU]

please stop with the repetitive questions regarding symptoms.  as youve been told...symptoms dont diagnose hiv.

you can test now and get a very good indication of your status...and at this point your result will be HIIIIIIIIIIIGHLY UNLIKELY to change.

you want to know your status?  you test...its as simple as that.

[delhiguy]

Hi Liz,

I am not repeating symptom questions as i have mentioned in my previous post. I am here to assess the odds (IF we assume that some one gets symptoms) then whether my symptoms are reflection of  Acute HIV infection anyways?

Kindly read my previous post to this one!!

[LIZZIE LOU]

WANT TO PLAY THE ODDS GAME?  GO TO THE RACETRACK.

TEST TO KNOW YOUR STATUS...PERIOD !

[ricky_id]

Look, you have been exposed to risk, so go check at 3 months since the last unprotected vaginal and/or oral sex and trust the result and ignore the symptoms. No buts.

[Teak]

Enough, you have 35 posts on this subject don't want to hear anymore on it. You've been advised to test.

[delhiguy]

you are the experts here and you are not supposed to be rude to the anxious/ worrisome posters like that.

we have some fears and anxiety and thats why we come here and i am pretty sure almost every one had some worry at some point of time and thats why they all are here.

I know i need testing but its still 4 weeks left to go till 3 months time.
So, please stop being rude and be more supportive and thats what humanity says.

[ricky_id]

This is HIV Prevention Community and our task here is to tell the probability based on the events that had led to the fear. If you really want to alleviate your fear, go to another forum or visit counsellor, psychiatrist, or the likes to do their job for you. But meanwhile, go check at our suggested time.

You're not the only worried people in this forum.

[Teak]

Move on.

[LIZZIE LOU]

take it to the hiv anxiety communtiy forum...a link is provided in the bottom right hand corner of this page.

our job on this forum is done.