HIV/ARS Symptoms

Dr., I had sex with a woman in Dubai, UAE.  She says she is not sick and does not have anything.  It was unprotected but we washed immediately.  I know it was stupid and not what I set out to do.  I am married and two days later my wife came down with Hives and two weeks later I have Diarhea (diarrhea) for three days now. It's been two weeks now.  Should I be worried?????  I'm so scared.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

My guess is that few women in Dubai have HIV, but I really don't know; that's a question for local health care providers or public health people.  A hundred things other than HIV cause hives and/or diarrhea, and both your diarrhea and your wife's hives almost certainnly have nothing to do with your sexual encounter.  Probably just coincidence.  But hives (if that's really what your wife has) sometimes indicate a significant allergy or other illness, so she definitely should see a health care provider if the problem doesn't clear up promptly.  Diarrhea has too many causes for you to worry about, uniless it is really bad, lasts more than a week, or if you have fever.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[ScaredinAbuDhabi]

Also no other symptoms and no fever

[ScaredinAbuDhabi]

Somebody, Anybody...pleae help.

[ScaredinAbuDhabi]

DR.HHH,

Thank you I'm beating myself up over this and I deserve it.  I have a great life and this one incident could ruin everything.  My wife had Hives 2 day after I returned that lasted about 3 days.  14 Days after my encounter I got diarrhea with no other symptoms except stomach grumling, and bloating.  It has been about 4 days.  I used Imodium (immodium) the last two days and it is nolonger diarhea (diarrhea) but still have stomach/intestinal pain.  My wife has not had any additional symptoms.  I have searched extensively about HIVES and nothing I found suggest that hives indicates introduction of the HIV Virus.  Can you tell me from experience if you have seen such a case?  There is no place to get tested here without starting an international incident as I am a diplomat, however I ordered the home test kits online and am restraining from futher sexual contact with my wife/others until then.  Do you think I'm infected?

[ScaredinAbuDhabi]

Last Question.  Do the symptom appear all at once or are they spread over the 2 to 8 week window?

[bemyown234]

There are only 1000 HIV cases in the whole of UAE.

See http://archive.gulfnews.com/indepth/world_aids_day/more_stories/135158.html

[ScaredinAbuDhabi]

Is it possible to have HIVEs immediately upon infection?
Is it possible that my Diarrhea continued as a result of Anxiety?

[ScaredinAbuDhabi]

Thank you for your reply!

DR. HHH,
Is it possible to have HIVEs immediately upon infection?
Is it possible that my Diarrhea continued as a result of Anxiety?

[scareshitless]

dude relax, I dont think u even have hiv, hives are not symptoms of hiv ARS. About 50-90% of peole will experience ARS, here is a link which was done in 2006 and break down the symptoms of ARS. Most ARS case start between 2-4 weeks after exposure, not days. You need to remember that if you have put urself at risk for stds, and hiv you should get tested, symptoms or not! In this case, you need to have enough balls to get tested at the 3 month mark, or a few weeks shy of that.
http://www.hiv-medicine.com/textbook/acuteinf.htm

[wantinfo2]

Was she a native of UAE or is she filipino? Just curious!

Stress can do one heck of a number on your on your immune system and your intestinal track. Once you get that all out of whack it can take 3 weeks to a month to get everything back in order. On top of it, your taking immodium which although may help alleviate the diarrhea, at the same time throw so many other things out of whack with your gut.
Basically it just will take time to get your intestinal system back in check. It was probably just disrupted from extreme anxiety and guilt. Throw in some immodium and there you go, cramps, flatulence, rumbling, nausea, etc.

[ScaredinAbuDhabi]

She was Russian....And assured me she was "not sick" 5 times when the condom broke.  I deserve this pain but my wife does not.

The website ref was helpful and reassuring though old.  It did not mention diarrhea or Hives though I'm guessing it was included in the rash portion.
Diarrhea is mentioned in every other article.
Her Hives my second day back sent me realing...I hope you are right that it will not present that soon...upon initial contact.

I have two tests on order and I intend use them at 4 and 8 weeks.

Thank you all and I pray to God that I have not infected my wife or I.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You're going to be tested twice???  Do yourself a favor:  get tested once and use the saved dollars to have a nice dinner with a decent bottle of wine. It will be money better spent.

[peekawho]

Lets hope he ONLY tests twice!  

[Staciaa]

Hello, The problem is most the foreigners who become prostitutes in dubai sneak in illegally and dont get tested. There is way more cases in Dubai that go un recorded. These women don't get treated.