Relieved and Thanks

First off thanks for the great service that this website provides. I have read this forum for the past three months, out of anxiety and stress.  And I just wanted to share my experience with everyone here, to help those worriers like me get some relief.

My encounter occurred six months ago and was unprotected vaginal sex with a 26 year old woman, with unknown HIV status. I met her at a bar after a night of heavy drinking.  The sex lasted for a little over an hour, and was the first and last encounter I had with this woman.  

Nearly twelve days later I started to experience the typical ARS symptoms, enlarged lymph nodes, diarrhea, muscle aches, severe lack of appetite, and extreme fatigue.  I read into the symptoms and I believe I probably even created some of them on my own.  

I had a negative HIV test at 35 days, and just received my negative result at six months.  This was the biggest relief I have had in a long time, and can now again concentrate fully on my studies, and my work.  

The point of all this is, don't read to much into the symptoms that are present. As stated on here many times symptoms are never a viable indicator of HIV infection.  Use this site for relief, but don't sit at your computer and hit F5(refresh) on this site, go out and enjoy your life. It's a one time experience after all.

All in all the experience was definitely a learning experience.  A painful learning experience, but a learning experience nonetheless.  Thanks Again medhelp and the doctors that provide this wonderful service!

[Lovecures]

Congrats,
stay safe :)

[jsol10]

i had a similar experience i too just went and got tested after six months and got a negative result, the only difference is that the diarhea (diarrhea) wont go away...My question is did u suffer from any symptoms even after the results....thank u and congrats

[relieved1985]

My symptoms lasted about 2 weeks, and the diarrhea lasted the longest.  However, the symptoms disappeared for the most part after the 5 week negative test.  

A couple of studies have shown that diarrhea is not a normal indicator in ARS, occurring only 25-35% of the time.  

As I look back on it now, the "ARS" was likely recurring mono.  I had mono during the month of July, and I don't think I rested long enough or took very good care of myself, which resulted in the mono coming back.  

Hope this helps.    

[oralnhiv]

how long did all your symptoms last for? and how did you build the courage to go get the test im nervous.

[relieved1985]

About 14 days. As for building up the courage to get the test...
The anxiety was killing me, I wanted to know one way or the other.  I had had HIV tests previously, but due to all the symptoms that were occurring before this one, it did make me a little more nervous.  

Getting tested is the responsibility of all sexually active adults, it's just something that everyone should do.  I'm definitely in better spirits after I get tested, and now that this last scare is over, I have a better outlook on life.

[oralnhiv]

Im defenitly happy for your results and hope I have the same luck. the experts have told me im of no risk. But i never been a sickly person and i have had all the symptoms from diahree, dry cough, muscel aches, fatigue not wanting to do anything, loss of appetite that pretty much summary of my symptoms. But all of them have past and now im left woundering..