Symptom possibility

I have a question about the symptoms of ARS.

I know most of you will tell me that symptoms mean nothing in the diagnosis of HIV.  But I'm still curious.

Ok, so I have had throat problems starting 3 days after my possible exposure and have lasted all the way up until now...I'm at 33 days now.  so about a month.  It's been on and off sore throat feeling...swollen glands in the neck...red bumps in the beginning that went away.  now the red spots are back on my uvula and in my throat...but they're bigger this time and more red.

If this was a symptom of ARS...wouldn't it come along with OTHER flu like symptoms and only last a few days...not a month on and off?  

please help...I'm freaking out because of these red spots.

[abcdlr111]

anyone please???

[Bryanle1988]

symptom usally show on at 2-4 weeks
i have swollen gland at neck too....
get tested at 4 weeks seem pretty good to ease ur mind
rash usually cuase by soem infection

[abcdlr111]

yeah....so wouldn't I be experiencing other symptoms...and for less of a time rather than having them for like a month??

[Bryanle1988]

fever usually come up with rash
symptoms are nothing...due to teak and other expert..
and i trust them

[joecool21]

i have expience everyother symptoms relate to hiv but all my results turn out negative.my 13 week result will tell me where i stand. today is my 9th week but i wont take a test because i know its not conclusve.
piece of advice Bryanle1988  dont touch , poke or prode your node leave them alone. the more you touch the more they swell.

[abcdlr111]

i'm almost at 5 weeks....when can I test?  hsould I do oraquick??  and where do I even go to do it?  is there a good possibility for false positives?

[abcdlr111]

i dont know if I can make it that long.  my throat is closing in on me....and im really really scared.....I dont know what the hell is happening to my body.

[joecool21]

take a test on your 6th week and collect your negative result then conclude it on your 13 week.

[abcdlr111]

its impossible for me to relax.  i just want to crawl into a ball and die.

[Bryanle1988]

relax, i have a big swollen gland at neck now
and i get tested tomorow
im death scare now

[abcdlr111]

oh my gosh my throat is getting worse by the minute.  Does anyone think this could be from ARS????

[cliff101]

Whoops...my second sentence should read that you should NOT trust your own diagnosis!

Seriously...go see a doctor or try Joe's advice first...and then see a doctor if you still have the symptoms.

[cliff101]

No.  Sounds like Strep throat to me, though I am not a doctor and you shouldn't trust my diagnosis.

Likewise, you are not a doctor either and you should trust your own diagnosis!

Go see a doctor about your throat and I will be incredibly shocked if he/she prescribes anything more than a course of antibiotics.

[joecool21]

well abcdlr111 my doctor always tell me if you have sore throat gargle warm salt solution ( warm H20 + 1 tbs salt ) to be relieve of the pain.

[asp123]

Joe advice was good! but as for the sore throat..it wouldnt be ur only symptom! if u do some research about ARS....u would discouver a sore throat is minimal on the list of symptoms! A fever, rash, swollen body, achy, fatigue, wieght loss (happens later ive discouvered). Basically what im saying is when u have it, u wouldnt just have a sore throat! its the time of year for sore throats anyways! Ur fine relax, and get tested if u  need to! but stop worrying about ur throat, gargle salt and drink lots of warm drinks! it will help the pain! As well if u even were to get all those symptoms i listed most people still have tested negative when getting all those! u only have a sore throat!

[Bryanle1988]

relax lol
u onli have sore throat, not swollen glands
it wont kill u
go see a doctor

[cliff101]

Yeah, I had a persistant wet cough and 3 sets of antibiotics didn't make a dent on it.  Doctor tried a new "family of antibiotics" and its pretty much gone...though the bloody drugs brought me out in a horrible rash and made my skin extra sensitive to sunlight which means my neck got sunburned and now its itchy and irritated by alcohol and contact with clothes...imagine how much that freaked me out!

Testing is the only way to be sure.  In the meantime, try to relax.  Its hard I know...but follow Joe's advice and fill your time. Watch some movies, go to work, read a book...stop self diagnosing!

[joecool21]

Reminder.

1. Fever can cause you lymph nodes to swell
2. Comon colds Can cause you cervical lymph nodes swell
3. sore throat swelling i comomn during weather changes

so dont be allarmed if they swell because they are doing a good job fighting  infection.
so of they swell leave them alone. proding, touching , or pressing them will make them more swollem so just leave them alone.

[asp123]

lol bryanle..swollen glands wouldnt make much of a difference either! usually a sore throat and swollen glands go hand in hand!!  now swollen all over....ok thats a lil different! but if he has a swollen throat for sure his glands are slightly swollen

[joecool21]

Relax!! Take a deep breath. i just like i told you i have experience of HIV Glorious symptoms and still manage to test Negative on my 7 week. anxiety my cause symptoms so dont rely on symptoms trust me only a test could tell your real status. Thinking about HIV i know really is scary im there to. we are all here just for one reason. ive been fighting this for 9 weeks ive been to 3 different forums talking to different people asking there advices and opinions. and there number piece of advice is RELAX!! and wait for your test. the best advise i heard was

1.dont self diagnose your self - thats the doctors job
2.dont blame every pain you feel on HIV ( it might be someting else if it bothers you see a doctor)
3.Anxiety triggers most you common symptoms
4.Relax everything will be just fine ( remember to be more productive with your time during the window period while waiting for your 13 week negative result )
5. Stay out of the internet ( stop Googling or searching all about HIV it will drive you crazy )

Seriously follow those 5 pieces of advice you'll be fine. you'll be suprissed how time could run by.

[abcdlr111]

thanks for the assurance everyone...I'm trying to calm down and focus on the fact that I'm 2 days away from my 5 week mark and havn't had a rash, fever or anything like that...just the month long throat / mouth issue and swollen neck glands.  I went on antibiotics about 4 weeks ago and it seemed to clear up...but now its back so im not sure if that antibiotics played any part in it or not.  blahhh I'm just trying to pass the time and try not to think about what could possibly be wrong with me

[abcdlr111]

for the past few days that gland under my tongue...im sure exactly what its called....the part with the two little holes...it was been really sore....is that anything to be concerned about or common with ARS?