ARS just Diarrhea

[Cactus99]

I had protected sex but wore appropriate protection. About 3 weeks after I developed a sinus infection. I was treated with antibiotics and it cleared. up. One nostril inflamed and stuffed up a bit in the ears. No fever was present or stomach issues at this time. I went on a course of week or so antibiotics. In the middle of the treatment the doctor switched antibiotics. I developed frequent diarrhea shortly thereafter. It stayed with me for almost 2 weeks after finishing the antibiotics. About two weeks later it has returned. I now have it again for about 1.5 days.  Is diarrhea alone without fever or sore throat at symptom of ARS?

I am at the 8 week mark now and will get tested shortly but very concerned. Your feedback is most appreciated.

[nursegirl6572]

YOU HAVE A DEFINITIVE DIAGNOSIS AND YOU ARE "STILL" QUESTIONING YOUR HIV RISK/STATUS?

Move on.....you do NOT have HIV!!!!!!!

[Teak]

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[Cactus99]

Or could this be ARS as the immune system is weakened during this state making this bout worse than others not experiencing ARS? I feel fine now on antibiotics for this prescribed by the doctor. No other symptoms but still worried.  

[Cactus99]

Stool sample

[Cactus99]

The doctor diagnosed it as salmonella. So even without testing it appears not to be ARS related, but will test at 3 month mark.

[Cactus99]

Thank you! The country I am located in allows you to buy many meds over the counter.

[nursegirl6572]

You didn't have a risk.  Condom protected sex is safe sex.  Condoms do not "leak" or get holes in them...if they fail, they do so catastrophically....you would not have a doubt that it broke.

Diarrhea can be caused by a million and one things, including anxiety.  If your diarrhea persists, continue to work with your doctor to find a cause...but don't "self treat" with a bunch of things assuming it will make it better, it may actually make it worse.  ARS is not causing it.

You do NOT have HIV and having only diarrhea is NOT an indication of ARS.  ARS is a SET of usually many pretty significant symptoms.

Time to put this behind you once and for all.

[kpelych19602]

If that last post of mine confused you, I meant to generally say, that Flagyl is used to kill the overgrowth of bacteria that was allowed to grow due to your antibiotic treatment killing off all of the "good" bacteria that we need in our bowels to keep in functioning, if that makes sense to you.  May I ask, what antibiotic were you on?  

[kpelych19602]

who gave you the Flagyl, your doctor?   Flagyl is generally used to treat C. Difficile related colitis, or if it is not C. Difficile, they may treat you with Flagyl as well (for any antibiotic associated colitis, such as the one I had, or the one I suspect you have) .  I was actually treated with Flagyl myself, but I asked for it, even though my C. Difficile culture was negative.  

[Cactus99]

If Flygl or generic substitute is taken and the diarrhea goes away is this a sure sign it was not ARS related? I did use Immodium during the first bout and it worked, but it came back after a week or so. I just started the Flygl.

[kpelych19602]

You can "slow down" your bowels if you'd like by taking over the counter Immodium.   The acidophilus (yogurt) pills are used to help restore the natural flora in the bowels, so it won't be an overnight success.....

[Cactus99]

Thanks again! I know you can appreciate how I feel. Did you go back to the doctor for any meds to help with the intestinal issues? I am going to try acidophilus pills or the closest I can find in my location. I guess time should heal this as well, but I will get tested just in case.

[Cactus99]

Your post does help thanks but, "After 10 weeks of fellatio exposure i started recovering slowly"?

[Cactus99]

Has anyone heard of ARS symptoms of just diarrhea and no sore throat/fever at the 3 week mark that has lasted for over a week?

[Cactus99]

Call me fearful, I just wonder if the condom was of dubious quality as I stupidly do not supply it. kpelych19602 comments are very helpful. I will wait it out this weekend and if still here (4 days) I will revisit the doctor who prescribed the antibiotics.

Thanks again for all the feedback

[Teak]

If you had protected sex you are not having ARS symptoms. The only way to have ARS symptoms is to be infected of which you didn't have a risk.

[kpelych19602]

I did the "stool cultures" (not pretty), to rule out C. Difficile, which is a serious form of colitis caused by antibiotics, but you would have a more severe diarrhea with that condition.  

[kpelych19602]

The same thing happened to me....I never got diarrhea from an antibiotic, but I was on Clarithromycin, and never took that before.....yes, it can come back after the initial bout.  It will take a few weeks for your system to get back to normal since the antibiotic has wiped out all of the good bacteria as well.....you can try acidophilus pills.  

[Cactus99]

But is it likely to reoccur a week or two after the initial bout? I agree but keep thinking it may be an ARS symptom. Did you go back to the doctor for treatment or wait it out? This would be the first time I ever had any side effects from antibiotics, but then again never switched to another med mid way through.

[kpelych19602]

Your diarrhea most likely came from the use of antibiotics....it is a very common side effect, and I had it too from antibiotics.  It's called antibiotic associated colitis.

[Cactus99]

"symptoms accompany one another", so just one would be odd?

[Mitch82]

ARS is generally flu like, and symptoms accompany one another I say generally because some folks don't get any symptoms at all

[Cactus99]

sorry... meaning without fever/sore throat.

[Cactus99]

Ok, feeling a bit bitter but can you comment on the symptoms... Is diarrhea alone after about 3 weeks alone a symptom? I am beginning to believe it is a stomach virus or some other infection but wonder if others have experienced this as part of ARS in a similiar way, meaning with fever/sore throat.