just a question

[s.carter]

can someone tell me what ars is and relativity to hiv.just want because everyone talks about but i dont know what it is.

[exww]

If some one get infected with HIV he/she may experiance a group of symptoms
2 to 4 weeks after.This is called acute retroviral symptoms (ARS).NOTE THAT NOT ALL PEOPLE INFECTED WITH HIV WILL NOT SHOW IT.
The major symtoms include
Fever between 100-104 F
Sore trout
Rash on chest, back, neck (Genaralized bylatral)
Sollowen lymph nodes
fatigue

Other symtoms
nausa
diaria
night sweating
etc

Symptoms or lack of symtoms in genaral not confirme HIV
If u need more information you r free to ask.

[s.carter]

are the night with or without fever

[exww]

Sure  WITH FEVER
Fever will present always (HIGH FEVER)

[gggg911]

I thought you said not everyone will present symptoms.  What does the comment "fever will present always" mean?  Is the reverse true--no fever, no hiv?

[Frank303]

As exww, pointed out not everyone with a recent infection will show signs and symptoms.
They are not used in diagnosis, though Doctors use them as pointers (along with risk) to investigate HIV.
Only approved HIV tests are used in diagnosing HIV infections.

I understand night sweats may be a result of fever. However signs and symptoms vary in severity and some patients with recent infections will not have such a high febrile response so so a low grade fever may not be accompanied by significant sweats.

As numerous responses by Dr Handsfield and Dr Hook on the experts forum state, symptoms are next to useless in estimating probablilty of HIV infection. Many of the symptoms of ARS are symptoms of much more common conditions.

One can only go by the tests. (at 3 months post possible exposure)

[aogm720401]

Hello Frank303:

Just wondering if there is a known percentage of people that experience ARS after being exposed to HIV ? as in
"An X number of people out of a 100"

[ECN44120]

Around 50% of people infected with Hiv will present ARS symptoms by 2-6 weeks after exposure. of that 50% of people the 96% would have a high fever.

[Frank303]

Doctors tend to disregard symptoms unless there is a strong risk. Even if there is many will not verify the symptoms so there are probably not that many studies of Acute Retroviral Syndrome ARS (not Acute Retroviral Symptoms).

Estimates of percentages of people with and without symptoms vary. If you look through the archives here or any other HIV forum you will find scores of people who had  'all the symptoms' who did not later seroconvert.
That and that there are so many people going round not knowing they are infected because 'they have no symptoms' means do not use the presence or absence of symptoms as an indicator of having HIV.

Bottom line is if someone has a risk, they should test after the window period, use condoms consistently and correctly and make behavioural changes.

ARS does not seem to be studied that much. It would be financially unviable to do such studies except in restrospect.

[needadvicenow]

I have a quick question....
Am new to this site and have just got the hang of it now - read through a lot of posts etc,...
I would like to ask - my risk of exposure through a cut on the hand to vaginal fluid (seesm for the most part to be low risk according to the docs...  the cuts were there though and I am worried..)
I have a pain in my testicles now... its uncomfortable - can anyone tell me what the swollen lymphs in the groin symptom is about?
does it cause pain in the testicles?
as with everyon eon here I am so worried - I will be organising a test.

[Wear/a/Jimmy]

I hate to read this thread because it reminds me of very difficult times, that I voluntarily put myself in.

Regarding your testicle pain. That does not sound like anything to do with HIV. That could be an indication of a UTI, urinary tract infection.

Those can be caused by numerous different types of bacteria, many of which are unspecified. But the popular ones are, chlamydia and gonorhea. You can get a NGU, with is not specific UTI from a bj from a person with a cold etc.

I have even experienced this in a monagmus relationship. I tolerated a sore testi for like 3 months & never knew what had happened until years latter I read about it.

Any how, UTI can be medicated if they are caused by bacteria, if it is caused by a virus, then you just have to wait it out.

I wish you luck, but do not over stress about it, I did, and it has been over a year and I still have not fully recovered physically (due to all the antibiotics I took) phsychologically - pretty much turned into a hypochondriac (sp) and emotionally this has taken a big toll on me.

Seek medical assistance, trust the docs and do not freak out too much

PLEASE

[Teak]

You were not at risk from getting vaginal fluid on your hand unless it was right before you went and got stitches.