Symptoms and Risk

Two weeks (Aug 8) ago today I had unprotected vaginal intercourse with a woman in her 40's.  Lasted only a few minutes till I got freaked out.  Woman I have known for a few years and says no HIV.

Day after started getting sick slight fever, really sore throat etc.  Not run down, no diahrrea or nausea.  Went to teh doc on that sat (Aug 11) got a strep test and put me on zithromax.  Test was negative for strep but the zithro didnt quite work.

Its now Aug 22, two weeks later and my glands under my jaw are swollen and I have post nasal drip.  Since it wasnt cured by antibiotics I got a tad worried.  No fever or other symptoms.

Since I cant test until 6 weeks any idea.  Could it be ARS just mild symptoms.

Thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You state no reason to disbelieve your partner.  Why would she mislead you?  The chance any particular 40 year old woman in the US (or other industrialized countries) has HIV is extremely low; and if she did, the chance of transmission averages 1 in 2000.  In other words, unless your parter is an injection drug user or the partner of a known HIV infected person, your risk of HIV was near zero, for practical purposes.  Further, your symptoms do not suggest HIV, no matter what you have read.

So I see no reason to suspect ARS and I see no reason for HIV testing.  (Do you think every person should go out and get an HIV test every time they have sex with a new partner?  The health care system couldn't handle the load!)  But of course follow up with your doc if you remain concerned.

HHH, MD

[Big Stax]

Thanks so much.  I was just worrried because the anitibiotics didnt clear it up at all.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Your symptoms suggest a common cold virus, and no virus responds to antibiotics.  Most doctors wouldn't have prescribed an antibiotic for the sort of symptoms you describe, and lack of response doesn't mean anything in relation to HIV.

Cheers--  HHH, MD

[Big Stax]

Well she is kind of a wild one so I dont know her string of partners is part of the reason.  Other part is my own worrying and stress about it.

Guess we choose to live that way we choose worry.

Thanks doc.

[Big Stax]

What would be the most common symptoms of ARS and when would they show and how long would they last.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Sorry, that's much too general a question and would take me 30 minutes to respond properly.  The information is widely available from numerous websites and other sources.

[Big Stax]

Well three weeks now since original incident.  Still sore throat and nasal drip.  Getting the chills and alot of canker sores.  Is it possible that fever cannot be present with ARS.  

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Those symptoms don't suggest HIV.  See my original reply:  "But of course follow up with your doc if you remain concerned."

This thread is closed.

[Big Stax]

Im freaking out here.  Thsi rash per say is on my neck and face.  Looks like soem flat red spots and small pimples.  Its been six weeks.  No other symptoms now just this.

I read somewhere that the ARS rash occurs in 50% of teh peopel and is soemthing like this.

Yes/No?