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ARS symptoms? Concerned.
Hi Doctor
Between the 30th of July and the 1st of August had protected oral and vaginal sex with four different CSW's in two (Australian Licensed) Brothels. I noticed no breakage in the condoms, however one of the women fingered my anus. I am feeling incredibly guilty in regards to my behaviour as it is something that I don't normally engage in.
Here's a timeline of my symptoms -
On the 2nd of August I began to feel slight abdominal cramping and suffer from loose bowel movements.
On the 5th of August I started to feel dizzy and suffered more frequent loose stools.
On the 6th of August I began to feel tenderness at the back of my head. The tenderness subsided, but ever since my head feels as if I am wearing a hat that is two sizes too small.
As of today (12/8/13) I am still suffering from loose bowel movements and feel strange in my head. I have had no other symptoms (fever, sore throat, Lymph nodes etc..), but I am nevertheless concerned that I might have contracted HIV.
Are my symptoms consistent with ARS?
Do they fit the timeline?
Do you believe that I require testing?
Any help that you could provide me with would be greatly appreciated.
kind regards
Rorkes.
Between the 30th of July and the 1st of August had protected oral and vaginal sex with four different CSW's in two (Australian Licensed) Brothels. I noticed no breakage in the condoms, however one of the women fingered my anus. I am feeling incredibly guilty in regards to my behaviour as it is something that I don't normally engage in.
Here's a timeline of my symptoms -
On the 2nd of August I began to feel slight abdominal cramping and suffer from loose bowel movements.
On the 5th of August I started to feel dizzy and suffered more frequent loose stools.
On the 6th of August I began to feel tenderness at the back of my head. The tenderness subsided, but ever since my head feels as if I am wearing a hat that is two sizes too small.
As of today (12/8/13) I am still suffering from loose bowel movements and feel strange in my head. I have had no other symptoms (fever, sore throat, Lymph nodes etc..), but I am nevertheless concerned that I might have contracted HIV.
Are my symptoms consistent with ARS?
Do they fit the timeline?
Do you believe that I require testing?
Any help that you could provide me with would be greatly appreciated.
kind regards
Rorkes.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Thanks for your question.
The frequency of heterosexually transmitted HIV in Australia is low, and the chance a sex worker in a licensed brothel has HIV is extremely low. Further, you had condom-protected sex, and fingering is no risk at all. Taken together, these factors amount to zero risk for HIV, for all practical purposes.
And to the main point of your questions, the sympmtoms you describe are not suggestive of a new HIV infection. Although diarrhea can accompany acute HIV, it is rarely if ever the dominant symptom -- and in any case, HIV symptoms cannot start as soon as 3 days after exposure; 7 days is the minimum and usually it's 10-14 days. It sounds like you have a garden-variety gastrointestinal virus.
So you really do not need HIV testing on account of either these exposures or your symptoms. On the other hand, a negative test might give you more reassurance than anything I can say. In addition, all people who are sexually active outside mutually monogamous relationships should be tested for HIV and other STDs (gonrrhea, chlamydia, syphilis) from time to time, like once a year, even if there have been no apparent lapses in sexual safety. So if you haven't been tested recently, this might be a good time, while it's on your mind. But not because of these exposures or symptoms.
In case you aren't aware, Australia's national health service sexual health clinics are, collectively, the world's very best network of STD/HIV prevention clinics -- and Melbourne's and Sydney's SHCs arguably are the best of the best. If you decide to be tested or would like expert clinical assessment, take advantage of the world-class services available to you.
I hope this has helped ease your concerns. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
The frequency of heterosexually transmitted HIV in Australia is low, and the chance a sex worker in a licensed brothel has HIV is extremely low. Further, you had condom-protected sex, and fingering is no risk at all. Taken together, these factors amount to zero risk for HIV, for all practical purposes.
And to the main point of your questions, the sympmtoms you describe are not suggestive of a new HIV infection. Although diarrhea can accompany acute HIV, it is rarely if ever the dominant symptom -- and in any case, HIV symptoms cannot start as soon as 3 days after exposure; 7 days is the minimum and usually it's 10-14 days. It sounds like you have a garden-variety gastrointestinal virus.
So you really do not need HIV testing on account of either these exposures or your symptoms. On the other hand, a negative test might give you more reassurance than anything I can say. In addition, all people who are sexually active outside mutually monogamous relationships should be tested for HIV and other STDs (gonrrhea, chlamydia, syphilis) from time to time, like once a year, even if there have been no apparent lapses in sexual safety. So if you haven't been tested recently, this might be a good time, while it's on your mind. But not because of these exposures or symptoms.
In case you aren't aware, Australia's national health service sexual health clinics are, collectively, the world's very best network of STD/HIV prevention clinics -- and Melbourne's and Sydney's SHCs arguably are the best of the best. If you decide to be tested or would like expert clinical assessment, take advantage of the world-class services available to you.
I hope this has helped ease your concerns. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for the kind words. I'm glad to have helped.
Thank you very much for your assistance and compassion Doctor. The work that you do is amazing. All the best. Rorkes.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The SHC folks are just as expert in these matters as I am, and as you can tell from my reply above, I agree exactly with their assessment. Those symptoms are not at all suggestive of ARS, and a broken condom is hard to miss. My guess is they said much the same at the SHC.
Thank you for your prompt reply Doctor.
I actually went to the Melbourne Sexual health centre the other day and explained my situation. They informed me that my encounter was 'no risk' and that I didn't require testing. I had been tested a month or so ago, so I was definitely clear prior to my 'exposure'.
I would just like to clarify for my own peace of mind - Is diarrhea and headache/dizzyness without any other symptoms indicative of ARS?
If the condom broke, would I know?
Thank you so much for your help.
Regards
Rorkes
I actually went to the Melbourne Sexual health centre the other day and explained my situation. They informed me that my encounter was 'no risk' and that I didn't require testing. I had been tested a month or so ago, so I was definitely clear prior to my 'exposure'.
I would just like to clarify for my own peace of mind - Is diarrhea and headache/dizzyness without any other symptoms indicative of ARS?
If the condom broke, would I know?
Thank you so much for your help.
Regards
Rorkes
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