Worried about symptoms

[curious101]

I noticed the doctor's answer on another thread regarding time to ARS symptom onset. I had a brief encounter with an "Escort" about 13 months ago. It was a major mistake and I have been worried about hiv infection ever since. I had protected intercourse but unprotected oral, both insertive and receptive. Both for only a few minutes. Beginning in September of this year, approximately 1 year after the encounter, I began experiencing an unusual sensation. My face and breath felt hot, but my skin felt chilled. It felt kind of like a wind burn or a sunburn. The way your face feels after being exposed to a cold windy breeze. It lasted several weeks on and off. I don't think I was running a fever but I never actually took my temperature. Now recently, I have pain in my neck around my lymph nodes and pain in my groin area and under my armpits, with a sore throat and a slight dry cough. Both have lasted for over 2 weeks. Also a cold sore on my lip has started to develop and I have some tingling in my fingertips and toes. Is it unusual for symptoms of hiv infection to start much longer than 6 weeks after exposure? Could I be experiencing delayed symptoms?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

As I have said more times than I can count, symptoms are a totally unreliable indicator of ARS, because most people with primary HIV infection have no symptoms at all, and most symptoms consistent with ARS in fact have other explanations.  In any case, your symptoms don't sound like ARS.  If you had a negative HIV test at least 6 weeks after the encounter you describe, you can be 100% confident you did not acquire HIV at that time.  But if you were not tested, do it now.  Your HIV test results will tell the answer; in comparison, your symptoms are irrelevant.

HHH, MD

[curious101]

Thanks doc.  But what about the timeframe for symptoms to develop?  I read on another post where you said symptoms always show up within 2 weeks.,  You may have said IF symptoms develop, they always develop within 2 weeks. Is this correct?

[curious101]

Sorry dr. Your response in the thread I referred to was "HIV symptoms usually appear well before 4 weeks".  Not two weeks as I originally stated.  Is it the case that syptoms usually appear before 4 weeks?

[ryn21]

ARS usually occurs within 2-3 weeks after an exposure.  Your symptoms do not suggest HIV, I think your anxiety is making you believe it is.  If you read the many threads in this forum, oral sex is near zero risk.  The doc has noted several times that there is no documented cases of HIV infection primarily from just oral sex.  There is a risk, but its so low to even lose sleep over.   You had protected sex, and that was a smart move.  I highly doubt you would have contracted HIV, but if in doubt have a test done.    You should get one just to ease your nerves.  But I wouldnt worry about it too much.  

I know you wanted an answer from the doc on your specific encounter but if you read the threads in here, there are so many that are similar to yours.  By reading other posts, you would be able to access that your risk was too low to even worry about or lose sleep over.  Like I said, if it makes you  feel better, go to a local STD clinic for rapid testing (rapid results).  Why did you wait so long for testing? The past 13 months could have been enjoyed worry free if you got tested a long time ago and found out you had nothing to worry about in the first place.  Good luck!

[curious101]

Thank you for the reponse.  I knew the risk was low and wasn't worried much about it until the recent symptoms.  I was hoping to hear from the Dr. that symptoms 13 months after exposure were not indicitive of HIV and therefore not feel the need to be tested.  I'm married and afraid if I get tested that my wife may find out.  Since, I wasn't worried until recently I didn't think twice about having sex with my wife after the encounter, but now am concerned.  Your post helps, however.  

Doc, based on the exposure and time to symptoms, would you recommend a test for any reason other than to calm my nerves?

[curious101]

Dr. please see above.  Would you recommend a test?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You don't say what HIV testing you already have had; therefore, I cannot recommend for or against HIV testing now.  If you had a negative antibody test at least 6 weeks after the exposure that you mention above (13 months ago), and if you have had no other exposures that risk catching HIV, then no, I do not recommend another HIV test.  But if you have not been tested since that exposure, do it now--not because I suspect you are infected, but because the expected negative result will ease your mind.

HHH, MD

[ryn21]

I believe testing at STD clinics is strictly confidential.  You can look up a local STD clinic by going to the CDC's website or by contacting your local department of health.  In other words, your wife wont find out unless you tell her.  

Stop worrying about your symptoms.  Havent you been sick or had a common cold before?  Quit worrying, and get that test over with so you can put this all behind you.