update

Hi all, I posted a weeks before.
I've been rimmed and did receptive anal with sex worker.
Used condom from finish to end.
Lubricant: saliva first, water based lube a minute later.
About the risk from what I told, I know it would be no risk, and that's what I've been told in this and other forums.

Now with all my symptoms, I'm worried if the condom was used for all the intercourse (when we finished I didn't check inmediatly but it was there when I looked, and ejaculation ocurred outside after sex), or he had blood in his mouth (I asked a doc. who used to go in the town I lived before, and he told me blood containing hiv in contact with your mouth shouldn't be something to worry about, but it's a real risk entering your anus, and asked me if I kissed him and then I would have noticed the minimal amount of blood if present, but I didn't kissed him...).

On the other side he looked really carefull about using a condom from the start and avoid direct contact of his penis with my mouth, now I'm scared that may be a sign he was pos., and when he was "hot" he took of his condom for a while... or had blood on his mouth...

Symptoms:
day 12 after infection started with sore throat.
day 14 felt lymph nodes on submandibular left side and neck left too, and a few days before two postcervical right nodes (small).
Headaches and stiff neck in third week for about 4-5 days.
Day 20-25 diarrhea for 3 days.
Felt Tiredness.
It's been 6 weeks with a sore throat! (now it seems the throat hurts but because of a lymph node, not because of a superficial infection like other sore throats).
Oh, and I had something on the border of my lips for a week or so too...
The only symptoms I didn't have was fever and rash - I think -...
My lymph node on the left really hurts. NEVER had lymph nodes in my neck... Can't remember last time I had diarrhea...

6 weeks of symptoms (especially only remains lymph nodes and throat pain caused by them) / 8 weeks after exposure. All I read says that it's common for node swelling to remain.

I'm guessing the outcome from this, don't you?

I'm avoiding having sex with my wife, in a week we'll be on vacations for a few days.
Now worried for my health.
I'm worried for her and my kids, how their life will change with this (without me being their father and husband, that's a fact I know how it will be).

Think to get tested after our vacations... this will change my life.

[HansrowSenoj]

I'm guessing from this post that you haven't been tested yet.... I think that if it were me I would be tempted to test after the vacation as well.... However, wouldn't you want to get it out of the way before? You said that you were avoiding sex with your wife.... Do you think you will be able to do that on your vacation without raising concern or questions? a condom was used meaning that you should be safe. At least a test would bring some peace of mind before the vacation. I know that I would definately want to test as soon as possible.

Not to go back to GI Joe, but "Knowing is half the Battle." I've had every symptom including two rashes on my face. And no later than this morning I woke with a cramp in my calf that had me limping..... Don't know what kind of symptom that is, but I'm still hopeful. And will be tested on Monday at 1 day shy of 7 weeks....

I hope all works out for you.... Good luck in whatever you decide.

[stillworried74]

No test done. If I had a neg. I would feel ok, no doubt. Don't know your exposure but good luck with your test.

I forgot to mention that I had also oral ulcers and a small abrasion on the penis during the 4th week post exposure...

I can't go and test now because I think I'll get a pos.

Thank you

[meworried]

I agree with HS. Going vacations with wife and sleeping away on two different beds,,, do you think wives are that dumb? She will quickly figure out. So dear better to get tested before leaving, and make your vacations joyous and pleasant, since you will get a "negative" test result.

You can not avoid testing,,, its sooner to be better so that if God forbid, some one is found positive, he can immediately go for ARV treatment. If you think you are positive (although there is no solid reason for you to believe that) you status will remain unchanged before and after the vacations.

I doubt that you have ARS, since this package does not contain two key elements, fever and rashes.

[stillworried74]

I'm sure it will be pos. But a confirmatory test by now will destroy what's left I think. I need to have the vacations this way.
Teak: read a lot of cases of acute infection. Lymph nodes may not be generalized.

meworried: rash is not so common but have is very sensitive, and fever is not about 95% as said in some reports but up to 70% of cases.

Symtpoms duration lasts a median of 14 or 21 days, or a mean of 25-31 days, depending on the study.
But the range observed was [3-90] or even longer...

See you and thank you for your support.

[guiltnworry]

You're sure it will be positive?  Even if your partner was positive, you had no risk, as in ZERO risk.  Protected sex is just that, protected.  HIV cannot eat through latex.  Oral is no risk, and neither is protected sex.  Lymph nodes associated with HIV are termed "generalized lymphadenopathy".  In case you don't know what this means, it means that all or at least the vast majority of lymph nodes in the body are enlarged, not just 1 or 2.  And did someone diagnose your lymph nodes?  You are not a doctor, therefore you cannot diagnose yourself.  What are you considering a fever?  A fever associated with ARS happens almost always, upward of 90%.  A rash is also common in ARS.  I don't know what sites you are misreading, but you are.   Your "symptoms" as you call them are not worrisome of much of anything, especially not HIV.  Stop "wanting" to be positive.  You had NO RISK.  If you wouldn't have stepped out on your wife, you probably wouldn't be feeling this guilty or anxious, so perhaps you could come clean with your wife?  Stop posting things on this board saying you are positive, but you haven't been tested.  You are not, period.

[guiltnworry]

Chris is right, pay attention and stop worrying.  

[stillworried74]

Hope you're right. I'm very confused and paranoid.

Lymph nodes where diagnosed by doctor.
look in inetner for "hiv primary infection case" and you'll see that in the findings a lot of them report only submandibular nodes enlarged.
About the fever, the same, i read some reports wich says 90%, but reading a lot of medical publications it isn't so high in most studies. The same for rash. (althoug combined all of them agree it's a very "sensitive" pattern for PHI, and "oral ulcers and diarrhea" where the most specific for PHI.

Yes, thinking about levering with my wife.

Keep you updated

[guiltnworry]

Don't leave your wife over this event.  Protected sex, no risk.  I mean, if she's crazy and you want to leave her, a different story, but not over this!

[guiltnworry]

Or if you are really gay and coming to terms with your sexuality, etc.  Level with her and decide what to do together.

[stillworried74]

Don't want to leave her. I love her!

I think I'm not gay, at least I didn't like it and I would not do it again.

I'm just a symptomatich  idiot.

Thank you.

[guiltnworry]

Yeah, thats what I thought.  Don't leave her, but definitely talk to her, especially if you are potentially putting yourself at risk (i.e. the condom could break, you might get carried away and not use protection, although I hope not), because you are putting her at risk also.  Either make it a one time thing or level with her about your bisexuality.  

[stillworried74]

It was just once and condom did not break. Read about it above.

Just I need to settle down, but can't with this fear and symptoms.... Don't know how to talk with her. Want to go on vacations with them, just if I tell her now we won't...

[guiltnworry]

If the condom didn't break, you are golden.  Relax, and stop letting the guilt get to you.  That is what is causing your symptoms.  Talk to someone else first, like a counselor and see what they recommend.  HIV is not your problem, regardless of your so-called symptoms.

[ExtremeStress]

listen to guiltnworry. it is stress and guilt causing all of this!

[stillworried74]

Hope so. I think that mucus in my throat should help telling it's not HIV, doesn't it?
As I said in my post, I'm worried because if in a moment the condom was not used and I didn't noticed, buy he was careful at the beginning about using them  and avoidin other contacts without condom.. don't know..

[stillworried74]

Thank you for your help, but don't think stress can make swollen lymph nodes for 5+ weeks

[Rae1]

hi stillworried, one of my left posterior cervical nodes has been swollen for some time now. Found out that my adenoids (adenoids) were enlarged (was having a lot of of post nasal drip just like yourself). THEN I found out that enlarged adenoids (adenoids) had a slim chance of being hiv/lymphoma, freaked me out more. Biopsy came back on removed adenoids (adenoids), no lymphoma, 5 and a half month rapid test negative and im still worried. Dont end up like me, please :)

[stillworried74]

Really thank you, i'm freaked out and my life (personal , work) it's a mess (a lot more than before!!!).
My mystake was to not seek for mental help I think...

[stillworried74]

Still worried with a 5 month negative?
When I see more and more people even woorrid with a 2 month neg. test.., the more I think you're far from my case...

[Isaac Argan]

5+ weeks is NOTHING
Had Swollen Nodes for 12 weeks ON/OFF. One Posterior Node and Armpit Node Now Permanently Shotty after 6 MONTHS! I'm assuming it will be for LIFE.
I Had 6/7 Month Negative.
Still Residual Fatigue, Some Dry Throat. Hope that Helps! I'm Not worried about HIV.

[stillworried74]

Isaac: Did you expericned swollen nodes before? It's my first time...

[Isaac Argan]

First time in Life, No Joke. They Detected EBV CMV, but it was 6 months after. I Had Mild Temperature, But No High Fevers or Rash, Got all the Rest of the Symptoms. I was on Several planes at time too, and under stress. Cough after 2 weeks, Both Collar Nodes 1st wt no fatigue@ 7-8 weeks just dry cough, then Neck node few weeks later with fatigue, then armpit and both neck nodes again, weeks after that with extreme fatigue and multiple symptoms at 3 months. settled dwn at 5 months slight reoccurance in neck and under jaw. Now im at month 8, no swollen nodes, just two shotty ones in neck/1 side and armpit. Have a swelling in elbow, but im putting it dwn to Blood drawing site of injection. Fatigue mildly lingering at 8 months. Tested for Pcr DNA/ab's at 13 weeks. Duo at 24 weeks. Negative. Since its the first time iv had such severe node swelling, multiple Negative HIV tests it must be some Other virus. CMV/EBV. Felt Tingling in groin, at time of armpit pain, but no pain in groin, so most nodes seem to be naval upwards, maybe i had a respiratory /lung virus, adenovirus. Definately had protracted Viral fatigue 3 months. My Neck gland was Visible at time!!! scared the hell outta me at week 11. Hence Pcr when negative rapid antibody test. they said i would get better, i got WORSE over nxt 2 months, so tested at 24 weeks.

If it wasnt for nodes i wouldnt have considered HIV. I guess First time I get Nodes, I had a scare, Typical

[SkinJ]

Hi - I can sympathise with your predicament. I had sex with a stripper and then went on holiday with the family and of course my wife the following week. I denied her sex several times, abstaining and all the time thinking the worst. This built over time and at day 22 or 24 I eventually cracked and told her. I had no one to turn to and simply came out with it. It was a terrible thing I did and I know I have hurt her as a result, but i kept on thinking she had to know. For me it was a good thing that I confessed. We are stronger , although not perfect. Another guy Shadow was in a similar situation and confessed too. In fact he is ahead of me in terms of time. I understand what you are going through with regard to family and especially if you have children. Its up to you how you handle it and it might end your relationship, but for me it was the correct thing to do. Testing goes without saying, if you are worried about that don't be. For me I had to know. On that point I still don't know for sure, but negative so far. Good luck with your decision.

[stillworried74]

Thank you. I need to test urgent I think, if there's even a small chance to test negative i think I should test just to stop this madness. I can tell you this here and then I can't move on and go testing...

[guiltnworry]

You need to test urgent?  You had NO RISK!  Period.  You said it yourself, condom used from beginning to end.  Therefore, no risk!  Seriously, stop wasting the tests that people actually need and seek mental counseling.  You DO NOT HAVE HIV!!  Swollen lymph nodes can be due to a million other things and unless yours have been definitively diagnosed by a DOCTOR, they probably aren't swollen at all, just ticked off that you keep poking at them.  

[stillworried74]

Doctor told me they're enlarged. I didn't told him about the risk. He can't figure out why sore throat for so long and still enlarged, been on antibiotics 2 times...

[guiltnworry]

Just a thought.  Many sore throats in adults are thought to be caused by viruses (not HIV, just common viruses).  You had no risk, so my thoughts on your status and need to test do not change.  You do not have HIV.  If your sore throat did not go away with antibiotics, then it is most likely due to a common cold virus or something like that, not HIV.  Please stop freaking people out saying you need to test when you really don't.  Protected sex is just that, protected!

[stillworried74]

Why do you say I'm freaking out people? I'm the one who is paralized and I know I was protected and shoudn't be worried, but based on the really strong symptoms I started to think about the "what if" (read my post).

I'll test today

[stillworried74]

Went to the lab.
Tomorrow will have the WBC.
On Friday will have hiv result.
Can't wait and I'm going on vacation on Friday, I'll call a doctor I know today to see if he can do a rapid tests.

[GOLOKA]

You do not even come close to my syptos u do not have anything.......

My Doc said during ARS, you get a fever, that seems like it wont go away and he says a pretty bad one and at that time, if you have your liver profile during ARS, you will seee your AST and ALT go way high.

Which , I have .

Pluse, you will have a collar bone node in pain...Do u have that  ? NO, that you dont have HIV.

[stillworried74]

yes, node in pain in neck.
Some people may have very mild fever.
I forgot to add oral ulcers I think.
And my throat the doc. who look at it today said it look like "internal" the infection. And, before I ask him to, he ordered a HIV...

[Rae1]

ARS is so vague and undefined that there are really no concrete symptoms. Maybe generalized lymph node swelling and at least a low-grade fever (above 100.4) could be common across the entire spectrum. However, rash, oral ulcers, liver profiles, etc. etc. are not defining characteristics of ARS.

GOLOKA, I had high AST/ALT (and still do) when I had my liver profile done when I was worried about the whole thing -- still am slightly worried with nearly a 6 month negative.

Anyhow, I also noticed that when I dieted correctly and ate right, my liver profile was much lower. I was diagnosed with fatty liver.

In my opinion, all I'd ever stress to someone worrying is to NOT let symptoms control your thought processes. Only a specific blood test can tell you the right answer.

and just an fyi, goloka and still, ive been antibody tested 6 times and had a DNA PCR at about 40 days. I've been extremely overtested and know what youre going through. Get your 3 month then move on. If you need to go earlier, go (at the very least) 6 weeks. Many people consider this conclusive, but the CDC consider 3 months conclusive.

[stillworried74]

Wish I had a 6 week negative.

It's not one symptom alone what I'm talking about, individually they can have other explanation (like yous AST/ALT)
But when you experience the timing, a lot of then, and lympadenopathy persist (like my case), it suggests ARS.

[guiltnworry]

You are paralyzed?  For no reason and by your own doing.  Stop researching everything, you have nothing.  You and GOLOKA seem to be in a competition to see who really has HIV.  Neither one of you does.  There are a million other things that can cause all of the symptoms you think you have and they are not HIV.  Stop trying to diagnose yourselves and go to a real doctor and stop doubting what they tell you.  

[GOLOKA]

What I am trying to say that it is not method for saying you have HIV, but AST and ALT are common cause , since your liver is trying to clean the disease, which it can not.

Since your ALT and AST was Fatty Liver problem, than it has nothing to do with HIV, so no worried.

Mouth Ucler, Tell me something that I do not have.

I have those suckers right under my toung, every other day the mofo will pop up and hurts like a *****..

Cure for mouth ulcer:   GO to your grocery store and buy Tangerine ( SP) the candy that has citrict , and place that sucker right on your sore... Like fresh orange should be fine.

So get Orange Tangerine flavor, and put that sucker right on there, watch in 2 hours or so, the thing will srink, keep doing it, until you feel fine, and next day BOOM, the sore is gone.

Try it, works.

look you do not have Nutrophy problem , My doc says I have "Nutrophatic Itch" , it simply means that my nutrophy is ****** up.

How does that happen to a healthy 24 year old male ?
Umm, you guessed.

Dude, if I was going through this **** when I was 40 , I wouldn't care, but I got long way, I am only 24.

You do not have anything, your symptoms are low. No symptoms = nothing.

[guiltnworry]

Stop with the competition.  No one that you are telling no to has HIV and NEITHER DO YOU.  No one cares about your symptoms that you have reeatedly told us that you have.  You are no different than anyone else with your supposed symptoms, quit with this stupid post!

[GOLOKA]

and collar bone nodes and neck are different ,... If you have following nodes up like and in pain like my

Submandibular NOdes

Anterious Superficial Cervical Nodes

Superior Laterl nodes

Posterior Lateral

Than its HIV...

These are nodes in neck, behind ears, collar bone, behind directly of your throat, and your lower head.
ben

[stillworried74]

I'm not just here to tell symptoms and do a competition, just to share what's happening to me, looking for help and trying to think positive, but this time too many things have happened.

But because I'm not here to say "I have HIV" (i never said that, just that I think I might have goten it), and I'm doing what I have to despite fears, just to take care of my wife and kids.

I went to a doctor and had blood drawned today (as I told before), tomorrow or on friday will have my results. Hope you are right. My guess I'm hiv+, my hope is hiv-

It's almost 10 weeks now from exposure.

[guiltnworry]

My guess is that you are absolutely crazy if you think you have HIV.  You had protected sex, period.  Stop assuming the sex worker you saw was HIV positive, and that he poked holes in the condom, holes too miniscule for you to even see.  Your 10 week test will be conclusively negative. Period.  Hope you will stop posting after that.  

[stillworried74]

"poked poles in the condom"? never said that!
For the 3rth time looks like you didn't read my post carefully.

Anyway, about to the result hope you are right.

[stillworried74]

"poked poles in the condom"? never said that!
For the 3rth time looks like you didn't read my post carefully.

Anyway, about  the result hope you are right.

[guiltnworry]

Sorry I got you confused with someone else but you DID say that the condom didn't break.  Why then, do you think you are still going to be positive?

[stillworried74]

Because of my symptoms, I'm worried if he did too0k of the condom during the intercourse and put it back and I didn't see him. From the first post i said: "when he was "hot" he took of his condom for a while... or had blood on his mouth... ".

Think I'm not like those who tested negative and still fear hiv or have a pimple on their nose only after a handjob and think it's ARS.

[GOLOKA]

WTF, do you guys not listen to me or what.... Dude, how can you have HIV, and why in the fudge are u having sex with guys...??? You have a wife and kids... Use wife...

Anyways, no condom = no HIV.

Mybuddies have been ******* and getting oral with condom on for like 3 years and not a single ******* disease they have.

Us, we do not do **** and we get it.

I think HIV is luck...If your luck says you will have it, you will.

Ben

[stillworried74]

It was a mistake I made in my life, I was depressed and it just happened.

Hope my luck says not to have it.

[guiltnworry]

HIV is not about luck.  Everyone can get it, some hav a higher risk than others, nothing to do with luck.  Goloka, you need to move away from this forum and go somewhere else.  You make no sense at all.  You DO NOT HAVE HIV!!!  Why are you questioning if other people want to have sex with men, it's none of your business.  Go away!!!  And to answer your first question, NO we do NOT listen to you.

[Rae1]

Both of you post up your three month negatives when you get them please

[stillworried74]

After having symptoms for 8 weeks, my friday result can be considered almost conclusive.

I'm freaking!!!

[Rae1]

I'll give you 50 bucks if it isn't negative. However I'll go spend it tonight because I know I can :)

[peekawho]

It'll be negative.  No doubt.  Then you'll be right back here, whining that you think you might have tested too early.  Then you'll agonize for another 2 or 3 weeks, sure you're really positive after all...

Over and over and over again, this happens.  

[stillworried74]

Not at all, I trust even the 6 week. (I'm almost 10 week now and with 8 with symptoms). May take up to 1 month (usually 8 days) after onset of retroviral illnes with  modern tests.
Also read somewhere soon CDC will change the 3month mark, did you noted they don't talk about the generation tests when they say 3 months? And there's a HUGE difference between 2nd gen and 3rd gen, add that 4th gen. (for example the one I will have the result on friday) which includes p24 and 2 months will be conclusive soon, even for CDC.

[guiltnworry]

YOU ARE NEGATIVE!!!!  you dont get ARS for 8 weeks.  Seriously, do some better research, people on this forum can only tell you the same thing so many times.

[stillworried74]

The only symptoms that lasts is swollen nodes and  throat pain caused by them...
ARS in different studies had a duration of 14 days median, 25 mean in most of them.
But with a range of [5-70] days aprox. Using the interquantile range (75% most closer) that range would be [9-19] days. But up to a 25% may have less or more duration, and persistent lymphadenopathy after ARS in not uncommon.

That said, by no means I am saying "I HAVE HIV"
I told you. It's just I'm worried, ok?

[guiltnworry]

I am done posting on this entire forum, if anyone would like to contact me personally, send me a message privately to my user name on Medhelp.  There are too many worried wells dominating the forum with pointless questions that get asked and answered over and over again.  

[Xhost]

When this forum first started, my suggestion was to call it the Worried Wells forum, as, I believe, it was envisioned as less of a technically oriented forum and more as a place for people to go who had exhausted their questions (and patience of the docs) in the moderated HIV Prevention forum. And that is exactly what it has become, which is why, as you are probably discovering, this forum gets the same anxiety driven posts again and again and again.

Is that a bad thing? Not to my thinking, as when I was suffering through my own bit of HIV anxiety, I wished that there had been a place to go to converse with others who were in my same situation. With this particular malady (HIV anxiety), so much of it is driven by emotional factors, whatever they may be. Guilt, anxiety, predisposition to hypochondria, etc., almost all of which are resistant to cool logic and fact. So, you find the same types of questions asked again and again, sometimes by the same few people, but mostly by the new worried souls who show up here on a daily basis, and it can get frustrating.

But, as frustrating as it can get, you can choose to stay or go, to post everyday or once a week. I see, with some regret, that you are choosing to leave, maybe for good, maybe not. Before you do, you may want to take a moment and reflect on the fact that you have done some good here, and, whether you realize it or not, there are, I am sure, plenty of people who are grateful that you chose to help them in a time of need. So, good job, and I hope you decide to come back again soon.

[stillworried74]

Today I had my WBC, tomorrow the hiv result will be ready.

Everything normal except:
microcitosis (anemia)

I read anemia may be a laboratory finding during PHI, I'm terrified! Not only symptoms buy laboratory clues!