Freaking out with new symptoms

[shiblee101]

6 weeks ago had episode of fingering and deep mouth kissing with thai sw.  fingering episode involved exposure of intact skin to either blood or menses of sw--this was quite vigorous for a few minutes.  washed hands immediately--noted no cuts.  tested negative with home access five weeks since episode.  since testing (this week), developed pharyngitis, mild rash on trunk, but NO FEVER.  could this be ars especially with NO FEVER--I walk around with a thermometer in my mouth and a flashlight to examine my mouth and mild rash.  when and how should i get retested again?  Dr. h recommended NO TESTING b/c hand to genital contact not transmission source. HELP

[WorriedT]

The majority (not all) of posters on this Forum tend to be worried wells who have had low/no risk exposures but are suffering HIV anxiety (myself included). Often, they come here after posting on the regulated HIV prevention forum, being told by Dr H they were not at risk and being directed here by Dr H as their posts are anxiety driven, as opposed to those who have taken significantly greater risks. That's why very few people test positive here. That may not be the case on other Forums.

[WorriedT]

There are 100s of viral infections (there are several 100 that cause the common cold), all much more common than HIV, that can cause these sort of symptoms (pharyngitis and rash). Your exposure was NOT a HIV risk. However, if it worries you that much, then retest just for peace of mind. Depending on how long you feel you can wait and how conservative you want to be, 6-8 weeks will give you a very strong indication while 13 weeks is considered conclusive by most agencies such as the CDC (6 weeks is considered enough by some local states eg. MA, NY).

[shiblee101]

nothing more happened than what i said.  isn't it strange to get pharyngitis, soft palate hemorrhage, truncal rash (very suggestive of ARS), but only WITHOUT FEVER b/w 5-6 weeks post exposure.  

[shiblee101]

thanks so much.  it seems like on this forum no one who tests neg after about 4 weeks had tested positive later.  however, the literature and other sites are strewn with patients AB neg then pos.  i'm also concerned that i used home access 2nd gen!

[WorriedT]

Hi shiblee100. Listen to Dr H - he has 20 years experience in the field. There are no documented records of HIV transmission through hand-genital contact and your 5 week negative test confirms that. You are not suffering ARS. You are suffering anxiety and possibly some other viral infection, but it's not HIV if what you describe are the only exposures you have had.