HIV from CSW in South East Asia?

[ddchen]

Hello, I am a 23 year old male and on a recent trip to Indonesia I had sex with CSWs on two separate occasions.  During both instances vaginal intercourse was achieved using latex condoms however I did recieve unprotected oral sex during the second occasion.  A few days after my first encounter I experienced a sore throat with swollen tonsils that lasted about a week.  About a week and half later I got a fever with a temperature of 38.6 C, which is about equivalent to 101 F, coupled with an upset stomach and minor diarrhea.  It is now about 3 weeks after my first encounter and though the fever is gone, a rash of small red spots has formed on my arms, stomach, chest and neck area.  I thought the fever and soar throat may have just been a coincidence since it is flu season but my recent rash has pushed me over the edge.  I have no allergies that I know of and have never experienced a similar looking rash since I had the chicken pox.  Doctor, do you think that I may have been exposed to HIV or am I being a bit of a hypochondriac?  I have yet to be tested since I'm still in the window period at just 3 weeks but since the rash started my mind has been running circles.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

It sounds like you have an illness (or several which you may have caught during your travels but the likelihood that it is HIV is very close to zero.  Your only unprotected sex was receiving oral and HIV is not transmitted this way.  I think you diarrhea, as well as your rash may represent something else.  Perhaps two different things such as the result of something you ate for the diarrhea and a viral (not HIV, not STD) illness.  

The symptoms of the ARS do occur at once not in sequence.  Yet another reason for you not to be concerned.  EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

There is variabiltiy in the duration of symptoms but, in general, they do not last more than a week.  EWH

[ddchen]

One last question I have is how long do the symptoms (fever, sore throat, rash) for ARS typically last?  I am fairly convinced that I don't have ARS but still a little bit curious.  Thanks for everything.

[chilly willy]

Ars symptoms come on all at once . Not one here and another one there . Like the Dr said your only risk was unprotected oral and there has never been a proven case , its just a theory ... Dont worry and forget about it .

[ddchen]

One question I forgot to ask is if the symptoms of an actual case of acute HIV infection usually occur simultaneously?  I understand the symptoms that I've been experiencing may just be a coincidence but an answer to this question may be helpful in calming my fears.  Thank you.