Infected

Doctor,
I know you get thousands of email reguarding ARS.  I need some answers if you do not mind.  23 days after protected oral/vag(I hope i was protected and did not miss something) I have ALL the ars symptoms, and I am sure I am infected.  At first I woke up with a very sore throat, then 1-2 days later I had a fever that got up to 101.5 and want away.  My tonsills are still swollen (but my throat does not hurt anymore).  I had a rash (which I often get) of small red bumps on the legs near my groin, which went away in 2 days.  I may have had some groin pain.  My mouth is still dry and my tongue may be coated just on the top.  I had neg tests for all sts/hiv at 3 weeks post exposure, and neg for mono and strep.  I am sure I have HIV.  I will get my results of a 4 week test soon.  I know this is it.  Any words of advice or hang up the towel now?  How could this be a coincidence, there is just no way! I would love some words of encouragement if you have any.  JW

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

"How could this be a coincidence, there is just no way!"  You are exactly wrong; your symptoms almost certainly are just a coincidence with the sexual exposure you describe.  Just think it through logically:  Most people will get symptoms like yours at least once a year.  Let's say 10% of those people have new sex partners from time to time.  Across the United States, therefore, every year there are literally MILLIONS of people who, purely by coincidence, have such symptoms within 1-3 weeks after a new sexual contact.  The timing of your symptoms with your sexual exposure is totally meaningless in assessing your risk of HIV.

Unless you have had potential exposures other than the one you describe, your symptoms cannot be due to HIV.  A hundred other things cause the idential symptoms you describe, all of them more common than HIV.  Anyway, your symptoms aremuch like those typical for HIV anyway.

Your 3 week test already is substantial assurance against HIV and your 4 week test will be negative.

Bottom line:  Mellow out.  Follow your own providers' advice about additional testing.  You don't have HIV.

Regards--  HHH, MD

[jeffwalker]

Thank you.  Test I am waiting is 27 days post possible exposure.  How confident can I feel in these results, even with every symptom?  Have you seen many posts like mine with 110% sure they have been infected and everything is ok?  I feel like everything is slipping away here.  You words have helped.

Would a neg antibody test ever show at 3 weeks even without symptoms at 3 weeks?

[HHH,MD]

The end of paragraph 2 is supposed to say "Your symptoms are *not* much like those typical for HIV anyway."

HHH, MD

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

In a couple years of doing this and the STD Forum, every single questioner who was "certain" s/he had HIV in fact did not have it.

HHH, MD

[PammySue]

You had protected sex.  You are OK.  Please calm down about this.  You are not going to die.  If you are to pursue future sexual experiences, you may want to consider some therapy to help you with your obvious fears of it.

[jeffwalker]

Just got 27 day antibody test which was neg.  Have you seen any/many people seroconvert after 27 days with sympotms at ~24 days I know this is REALLY  early for an antibody test, not sure what gen).  Should I get a lab-core PCR /rna test to make myself feel better.

How much can I take a sigh of relief if my tonsils are still swollen?  Do I just let this go mentally or still loose sleep and not eat?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

"I know this is REALLY early for an antibody test..."  WRONG.  Standard antibody tests are positive by 4 weeks more than 90% of the time.

Your tonsils are irrelevant.

Why are you trying to hard to talk me into believing you are infected when I am trying to reassure you?  This thread is over.  Do not post any additional information about your symptoms.  There is nothing you can say that will change my judgment.

HHH, MD

[Jimmy1]

Please calm down, and read what the Dr said again. i wish you luck and peace of mind.

[jeffwalker]

Jimmy, pam, etc.  Thank you.  I am getting a pcr test today just to ease my mind.  I am still a mess.  I have read what Dr. HHH had to say 100 times.  These symptoms are just eating at me.  I know the Dr. HHH said not to bug him about symptoms and I do not plan to.  I still cannot get over the diahhrea, swollen tonsils, muscle pain, etc.  I have every symptom in the exact ars window.  I am going from relation to shear terror 100 times per day.  Any advice?? I will feel better after this pcr test which they say is 99.5% accurate after 30 days.  I guess I have to wait it out.  Any advice would mean the world!!

[winman]

Hi there Jeff, Well i`m not good in giving advice but, I`m in the same situation like you such as I had Protected Intercouse and Hand to Gential (genital) contact. I took a 3 week test and came back Neg. My personal Doc told me it was hard for a Male to catch HIV, really hard. But the fact i had these symptoms that are HIV related such as Fatigue, Sore Toarth, Fever, Swollen Tonsils, diahhrea, muscle pain,coasted and bumps on tongue, and headachs also itchy spots around my body, made me freak out every more. I was looking for symptoms and searching the web for answers everyday!. I missed work for 3 weeks!! Gained 20 pounds! after i lost 30 pounds before the exposure! Even tho my Doc said i was ok, i didnt believe him.! and as of right now I still have swollen tonsils which hurts on and off. I also think allgeries has a big part of my swollen tonsils,runny nose,itchy toarth, and watery eyes. But anyways after the 3 week test was neg it felt a little comfort but then the symptoms came and now i`m really scared to take another test which i think will be Pos. Well ya sorry for the long post. I will keep you updated once i take my 9 week test this week. Good luck and take it easy!

[jeffwalker]

Winman, I am glad to hear from you (but not glad to hear your story)  I dont think there are many people who can understand us right now.  I took the lab-safe battery of tests today and should get results in a few days.  From what I have read the PCR tests are 99.5% accurate at 30 days.  I will keep you posted.  I wish you peace of mind and good health.  Keep me posted ok!

[winman]

Hi there again Jeff.. Just to let you know ARS symptons occurs all at once.. So like you said above Sore toarth then 2 days later fever.... dont sound like HIV.. just letting you know the facts.... Take care and be safe.....

[jeffwalker]

Just got the news..all tests were neg. I shelled out over 600.00 to be tested for every STD from Lab Safe... The HIV-1/2 ELISA and the Amplicor HIV-1 by PCR (Roche Labs) were all neg.  I cannot beleive it, I was expecting bad news.  I was mentally preped for it.

I had every ARS symptom expect for the swollen lymph nodes, including a bad fever, pharngitis, swollen tonsils, rash, diarrhea, and white tongue(all within the 2-4 week ARS window).  I am pretty sure these test are conclusive.  I would like to thank everyone including Dr. H for there support.

Quick question for Dr. H, etc.  Are these conclusive tests at 32 days post exposure?

Thanks for the support

JW

[winman]

Glad to hear all your test are neg.... that gives me some kind of relief... and well my Doc told me i dont need any testing and i am fine... So i`mma take his word for it.... Take it easy and be safe!!! also are your Tonsils still swollen? Cause mines hurt....

[jeffwalker]

My throat is a bit sore, tonsills have gone down.  I'm thinking it is allergies.  I am still a little worried but my tests should be conclusive.  I am still going to take a 3 mo ELISA just to put a mental end to this.  Hope you are doing better.  I have gained 3 lbs in the last two days (I am actually eating!!).  I have gained some serious appreciation for the small good things in like after this....take care, I wish you the best