Symptoms at 3 weeks: am I in denial

[floydian]

Dear Doc,

I am 27 yr old hetrosexual male. I had an encounter with CSW at a massage parlour 23 days ago, I was drunk at the time. It was protected oral and then viginal with the same condom. I was standing so I noticed the condom slipping and stopped. I pulled out but the condom was still inside her. She took it out, gave me a hand job for a minute or so and then put the same condom back on... this was a mistake, I got Elisa test on 14th day which came negative but probably doesnt mean anything. On exactly the 21st day I had mild fever and sore throat. The fever (99-100) and sore throat is almost gone now. I know there could be many reasons for fever but I have never had this kind of fever before. Cold fever that I usually get lasts 3-4 days and is associated with high temperatures. Will taking a test today (day 23) be of any use?
I know ARS symptoms are supposed to be 2-4 weeks from exposure and 3 weeks usually and hence I am worried. Infact I am not worried I feel considering that I may not be + is living in denial. Please advice.

[Teak]

You didn't have a risk for HIV. You had protected sex and you lost the condom on withdraw. The symptoms you've had so far are not related to ARS.

[floydian]

Aren't fever and sore throat are symptoms of acute HIV that show up at 2-4 week mark in most people (>50%)? Also condom reuse is not an issue? since I was drunk I dont know if it got turned inside out. Thanks for the help.

[Teak]

A fever of 101 and higher is a symptom of ARS which you didn't have.

[floydian]

Sorry for another followup but how long does the fever last? and what is my risk percentage

[Teak]

0% You didn't have a risk. PERIOD....

[floydian]

I cannot convince myself about the timing of the fever exactly 21 days.

[Teak]

It doesn't matter when you had your fever it was not caused by ARS. You have to have a risk to have ARS and you did not have a risk.

[floydian]

condom reuse is not an issue?

[Teak]

No concern going from oral to vaginal.

[floydian]

I mean it slipped off and then after a hand job, same condom was put back on... This seems to be high risk

[Teak]

It's not a risk at all for HIV.

[floydian]

so you think i dont even need testing?

[Teak]

No you don't need testing.

[floydian]

At the end of the day, the condom use was not correct and the contact was with a high risk person (CSW), this fever had given me confirmation that i got infected but you have given me hope again, I wish this is not false hope

[HSci34]

It is very, very unlikely that the exposure you describe would have resulted in infection. Very unlikely. If you can't move on, test at 4-6 weeks. That will be more than sufficient in your case.

[floydian]

Doc on expert forum says that its equivalent to being unprotected, I am getting very nervous now

[ECN44120]

When did he said that, post the Dr. Answer please.

[floydian]

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/show/492481?post_id=post_question_start

Unfortunately, the condom use you describe with this encounter translates to not being protected at the time of your vaginal sex.  That said, your risk is still low.  Here's why:

[Teak]

He didn't say that at all. If the condom was where it could be seen like it has been said before you were not at risk. You do need to learn how to withdraw without losing your condom.

[floydian]

He didnt say that? Please dont give me false hope, I am very near a crash

[ECN44120]

No risk, its like if she where using a women condom, your penis was protected it was in contact with the condom, it wasnt in contact with her vagina, it doesnt matter if the condom was used before in oral sex if it didnt broke, so if the condom didnt broke, your risk is Zero.

[HSci34]

floydian

Get a GRIP on yourself. You need to calm down.
FIrst off, the chance she was infected is very low. Even if she is a sex worker. Less than 10% of sex workers have HIV in the first place, and even if she did, your risk is going to be far less than 1 in a thousand of getting infected. It is very, very, unlikely. It's not as simple as "unprotected sex = get HIV" because the virus does not transmit easily. She most likely didn't even have it. You need to control your emotions.

[ja246]

Dont panic, the doctor said it was low risk and the people here are giving you hoenst reassurance. In additon, the Docs are going to give you conservative honest answers. Its not my post but I dont think you were clear on your question [I might be wrong] in respect of the condom slipping off on withdrawl as oppose to loosing it inside. You could ask if he understood that and does it change his oppinion

[floydian]

I am sorry guys, specifically Teak, Its just that its now 3rd day with fever, starting on day 21 and sore throat, I just cant do anything, I am not eating or working , and cant sleep, I only can sleep after like 40 hours or something when body jus givesup...

[ECN44120]

Make an appointment with a therapist and start your therapy is the only way you`ll be able to manage your fears, and dont do more searching on the web, you had a Drs answer, and Teak answer (he`s by far the most knoledge in HIV person in this forum), if that isnt enough for you, take the 12 week test, and forget about this, the test is only to put all your fears finally away not becouse you were at risk.

[floydian]

Another query:
I woke up today feeling a bit better and lower fever but now I have gotten swelling on the lower right of my neck. In addition to fever and sore throat, 3 days now. very worried about the whole situation.... please help.

[ECN44120]

IS NOT ARS, foget about it, look for therapist to cope with your anxiety and OCD about Hiv.

[floydian]

Does a negative 48 hours after start of fever and sore throat (on day 21) eliminate the possibility that fever  was ARS.... I know the test itself on day 23 doesnt mean anything but does it say "not ars"?? Please help

[floydian]

Sorry for coming back, I have lost my sleep over the symptoms, I developed small rashes all over my back, chest and a couple on my arms that look exactly like this: http://depts.washington.edu/hivaids/arvae/case1/fig1q.html

The rash appeared on day 30, I also had fever on days 20-24 after possible exposure, Tested negative on day 29 with home access today is day 34 the rashes are still here.... I am losing my mind please help me.....

Please help me........

[floydian]

please help teak, I was drunk when this happened and I may not remember everything correctly.....