10 day rapid test/rash

[EReality]

Hey,

Had a bit of a mess up 18 days ago and ended up having unprotected vaginal and anal with a girl I met at a party. This is the first (and last) time I will let this happen.

I wasn't too worried after it happened but about 10 days later I got a red spotted rash on one of my hands. I got tested at this point and was negative. I know from reading this isnt conclusive at all and this got my nerves a bit high.

The rash has lasted about a week now -- but it got much better approximately a couple hours after. It remains on my hand partially visible and tends to flare up when I take a hot shower.

I wanted to know if these rashes tend to be asymmetrical, reactive to heat and localized to just the palm of hand? I have no other symptoms rather then a bad case of nerves.

Also does it make sense to test at 4 weeks or should I wait till 6?

[EReality]

Btw I am a 29 year old male

[sleeplessnights34]

You had a risk and need to test. Take either a DUO at 4 weeks or an antibody test at 6-8 weeks post exposure as an indication ((as the others stated before)). Follow up at 12 weeks post exposure with an antibody test for a conclusive result.
Symptoms are never used to diagnose HIV. So, don't try to analyze the things that happen to your body. Just take the tests at the right times.

[EReality]

Thanks for the info guys. Two things I wondered about still.

Is it proven that if  you were having ars and got tested that you would test positive definitely. I have heard some conflicting views on that.

Secondly, while i understand, what you are saying are these rashes usually more widespread on the body?

Thanks again for your time.

[kapster1978]

The thing is, that if you really would have ARS symptoms. The body created a lot of antibodies to fight of the virus.(badly with HIV the antibodies don't win) So if you have had the symptoms a few days this would mean that the ELISA test would come up positive. But anyway this doesn't mean that if the test would be negative in 4 weeks it's not possible to still have HIV. 4 weeks 4th gen gives around 90% chance for really been negative. But to be conclusive personally I would test at 8 weeks. (this because not everyone would get ARS symptoms or doesn't see them as ARS)

[kapster1978]

As above mentioned test at 6-8weeks to be sure. But as you had the rash when you tested negative it's not because hiv. Otherwise you tested positive.

[iommi]

Hiv symptoms mimic too many other things so testing is what we go by.
However, 1 symptom doesn't make a strong case for concern.
You did have a risk as you know so I'm glad you are getting tested to be sure.
If you test at 4 weeks go with a 4th generation test ( duo, combo, ),
If that is not an option go 6 weeks 3rd generation.
The first looks also for p24 antigen that peaks around 28 days.
The 3rd generation test is antibodies only that is the same antibodies part of the 4th generation test.