Length of ARS Symptoms

[celtics1444]

Hey, I have a question about the length of ARS symptoms.

Most people here on the forum seem to say that it lasts 3-14 days, however, this is a quote from Doctor Hansfield in the expert forum "I'm not sure how long ARS symptoms can last.  Usually they clear up in 4-6 weeks, but I imagine that a fair number last longer than 40 days."

Most other sites seem to say 3-14 too.

I've had a mildly sore throat but nothing else for some time now (3 weeks or so) and I just wanted to see why there was such a discrepancy.

Thanks

[Teak]

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[sarahv54]

ARS lasts 1-2 weeks. Dr. Hook recently clarified HHH's 4-6 weeks quote. 4-6 weeks refers to the longest time period for which one could likely have ARS (e.g. starts at 3 weeks, lasts 2 weeks for a total of 5 weeks).

You were not infected by an HIV test. That is totally unfounded. Nurses don't mess up because every time they use a needle it comes from a sterile package - they don't just grab a needle out of the drawer or one that's near by. That's like asking if you've ever "accidentally" picked a fork up from a restaurant floor and used it instead of off of the table.

Even if they did use the wrong needle, the risk is minimal. No higher than the risk of any one person having HIV since people have blood drawn for thousands of reasons.

[celtics1444]

That makes a lot of sense.  I just thought it was quite confusing and, although I know everybody's different, the difference between 1-2 weeks and 4-6 weeks is pretty astronomical.  As somebody who probably knows significantly more than I do, which one of these would be more correct?

I know Teak seems pretty sure of 1-2 weeks and he seems to be the voice of reason around here.

Also, I know this may sound dumb, but one of my worries has been that I'd get HIV from having a blood draw done to check for HIV.  I've seen numerous times on this forum people shot down for even insisting that this occurred, however, I was in a state of great worry and didn't pay attention to whether anything was reused, disposed, etc.  I know this is dumb to not ask/ observe, but you have to assume it's all fine.

On that note, though, have there been cases where this has happened and somebody has gotten hiv from having a blood draw done?  It seems like a nurse would mess up somewhere along the line.  Is there a reason they don't, though?  or is it even a substantial risk if they do?

Thanks greatly

[Teak]

No one experience ARS symptoms several days after infection.

[ScienceIsHope]

These websites have to post information because it is generally applicable to readers and because of this not all information will apply to everyone. Not everyone has the same symptoms and same experiences with illnesses. The information on health websites usually comes from a company that compiles research into a database and because each website gets their information from a different source (or possibly from the same source) the information can vary. One study may find that symptoms generally occurred from 1-2 weeks where another may have produced a different result.

Looking at the information from multiple sites (as I'm sure you have done) will give you a good idea of what most people experience. Looking past the "norm", there are always outliers. Someone may experience symptoms several days after infection, some may experience them much further down the road and others may not experience (or may not notice) any symptoms at all. This also explains the length of the period that the effects are felt. Also, the symptoms may not be related to HIV infection, whether or not the person is/was infected.

[Teak]

You are not going to be controversial. ARS if one has them at all come on 2-4 weeks post infection and last from 1-2 weeks.

[celtics1444]

thanks for the response!

That doesn't really answer my question, though.

"4-6 weeks"
http://www.medhelp.org/posts/HIV-Prevention/Length-of-ARS-Symptoms/show/256196

"2-3 weeks"
http://www.aegis.com/askdoc/ASKD040403.html

"3-10 days, usually less than 14 days"
http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Archive/Symptoms/Q98392.html

I don't want to be controversial, I'm just very worried about HIV and thought it was odd that there is such a discrepancy among the facts.  I know y'all are experts and probably have some insight into this question.

[Teak]

If someone has ARS symptoms can last 1-2 weeks.