Hiv ARS

[Marken123]

Hi doctors, thanks for your kind and great help here. As I happened to have some HIV knowledge and now it brought me worries.

My boyfriend had a business trip and based on some clues, I suspect that he probably cheated on me, but I can not confront with him, not so say force him to get tested. But some symptoms appeared that I can not ignore, which makes me frightened.

I understand that symptoms can not diagnose HIV only test does, but I do not have other options. So please do take a look and let me know if his case can be ARS related symptoms.

One month from the business trip, he had a fever which lasted for about 8 days. Starting from the 5th day of fever, rash appeared. Rash looked like red circles (like pen drawings) on faces, arms and also a lot on other parts of body. Not itchy for the most of times. Dermatologist prescribed lots of antibiotic and anti allergic drugs but did not help. Most of the red circles stayed on skin for about 1 month and then began to disappear, and only a few circles left after the first month. And the itchy feelings lasted for another several weeks.

I understand that the fever and rash can be ARS symptons, and searched older posts, some ppl said that symptons are supposed to come and go all together. But is it possible that fever only lasted about a week and rash went on alone for another several weeks? Is it too long for ARS? Is it true that ARS normally only lasts for 2-4 weeks?

I am living in great panic now. Endless thanks to all for any kind help in advance.

[Vance2335]

We do not discuss symptoms because those symptoms can be linked to 100 different things.

[Marken123]

Truly thanks so much. But can you also tell me why is that? ARS rash does not look like red circles or it does not last for several weeks or all symptoms disappear together or other reasons?

[Vance2335]

It is not ARS

[Marken123]

I just found  ur reply after I posted my previous reply. Are you saying that it does not sound like HIV ARS? May I ask is it because the rash lasted several more weeks than fever?

[Vance2335]

No

[Marken123]

I understand, for many people they have all ARS symptoms but tested to be negative and some ppl infected HIVwihtout any symptoms.

Just I looked through some old posts in the forum, a lot of people described their symptoms and experts might advise if their symptoms are not related to ARS (e.g. just 2-day fever is too short, symptoms occur half-year post suspected infection is too long, etc.)

That's why I decribed the symptoms as I can recall, and I am not trying to diagnose over the Internet. Just based on the symptoms, I need you experts to give thoughts based on ARS pattern and related knowledge.

Is it typical and matches the ARS pattern or not?

[Vance2335]

HIV symptoms are too general and we do not try to diagnosis or even get an indication of HIV based on symptoms.

[Marken123]

Thanks Iwan. I will protect myself and think about the future, but I am also worried about him. Feel so helpless.

Could anyone please look at the symptoms and identify if they sound like HIV ARS related rash.

One correction, rash started at day 2 or 3 of fever. rash went on for another several weeks.

[Iwan25]

You know what they say about a little bit of knowledge - it can be a dangerous thing. The symptoms that you describe are too generic and can be applied to whole raft of reasons. As you only 'suspect' he cheated you cannot state for certain that he actually did. I would suggest you ask him, and if he has cheated was it safe or unsafe. If you still feel concerned you can always take a HIV DUO test (at least 28 days after a risky exposure), and if possible ask him to test. In the mean time make sure any sex you have with him is safe. If you do not believe the answers he provides to you regarding his 'cheating' then you need to soul search regarding your future relationship together.