ARS?

[LosA90]

Dear Doctors,

I had sex on two separate occasions with two different CSWs on 6/25 and 6/27. We had unprotected oral sex and condom protected vaginal sex.

Didn't really think much about it until yesterday morning (7/7 - about 13 days from the first encounter) when I woke up with a bunch of ARS symptoms.

I had a fever (~100 degrees), extreme chills, body aches and sweats. No runny nose or sore throat (which I believe is common with a "normal" flu). I was basically in bed all day and woke up today (7/8) feeling better (no more chills, body aches or fever, but still have a bit of a headache).

Aditionally, the day before these symptoms hit, I also felt very itchy all over (which has stopped).

The fact that I was hit with a fever and it's timing is really freaking me out.  Do these symptoms appear consistent with ARS?  Thank you for your assistance.

[LosA90]

I just got my negative test result over the phone (Home Access Testing Kit).

This is 4 weeks after the last possible exposure and about 18 days after the start of my symptoms.

Although I feel a tremendous sense of relief and will do a final test at 8 weeks.

Thanks again.

[LosA90]

Unfourtunately, my last test was over a year ago and this potential exposure was a month ago.

I realize this was virtually a no risk exposure (unprotected oral sex) but the fever and joint pain symptoms that I experienced (for 36 hours) have caused an incredible amount of anxiety and fear.

I just took a home access test and will post my results whatever they may be. I am keeping my fingers crossed.

Thank you for your help in this matter and I sincerely appreciate your feedback.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I have told you this is not consistent with ARS and even if it was, that would mean nothing becasue the symptoms of the ARS are so non-specific. You have been tested.  you do not have HIV.  The time has come for this thread to end and for you to move on.  EWH

[LosA90]

I assume this rash doesn't change your assessment?  I'm just freaking out a bit..

Thank you for your consideration.

[LosA90]

I appear to have a slight rash in the middle of my chest. The rash looks like ~15 to 20 small pinkish red dots. To be honest, I just notticed this and am not sure when this rash may have appeared. I put the thought of HIV out of my mind until I noticed the rash.

Would an ARS related rash be more widespread and noticeable?

As a reminder, I had a high fever with severe chills and muscle ache for about a full day about 13 days after the possible exposure.

Thank you for any advice you might be able to provide.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The appearance of your sypmtoms, the absence of the rash and the duration of feeling poorly are all inconsistent with HIV . EWH

[LosA90]

Just to be clear......

The fever, body aches, and chills started about 13 days after the possible exposure. I thought this was consistent with timing of ARS symptoms?

I assume you mean the DURATION (36 hours) of the symptoms is inconsistent with ARS?

Thanks again.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Correct.  The onset of symptoms was far too soon for them to be due to ARS.  EWH

[LosA90]

Thank you for your response.

The reason I'm a bit more nervous is that the fever, body aches and chills that I experienced yesterday was much more severe and intense that anything I've ever experienced. I was basically in bed from all day and all night and just started feeling better this morning.

I assume that the short duration (36 hours) of the fever, body aches, and chills make it less likely this is ARS related, correct?

Thanks again for your help.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome back to the Forum.  I must say, I am a bit perplexed. This question is almost exactly the same question you asked 8 months ago on this Forum and guess what, the answer is the same.  Rather than repeat myself, I have copied the link to our prior interaction in below. At that time, as now, you have had a virtually no risk exposure. Despite that, you went a got tested including a PCR test.  I hope you will not do that this time.  Your symptoms are coincidence, not ARS.  EWH

http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/ARS/show/1055266?personal_page_id=561212#post_4958154