Possible ARS ?

[timerunit213]

Hi. Late January I contracted mono-like symptoms. I had:
-- swollen lymph nodes
--terrible sore throat
--tonsillitis
--fatigue
--nausea
All of these symptoms went away after about 7 weeks.
At 3 weeks, I tested negative for Epstein Barr but the doctor was sure that it was mono. As a result, I have suffered through major HIV anxiety since I found that HIV symptoms can mimic mono symptoms. I have posted on this site previously about my exposure, and have gotten responses assuring me that I was never at any risk, but this rash brought my fears back to life. At 8 or 9 weeks after exposure, I contracted a bad rash on my back, but that was only after I used Nair hair remover on my back. I think i kept it on too long during the initial application of the cream, but im not entirely sure.  I was wondering, is this a possible symptom of ARS?

[timerunit213]

Thank you for your concern. I apologize for being so paranoid. As you can imagine, I have had major HIV anxiety since my symptoms have started showing up. I forgot to mention DID have a fever (and my glans penis became slightly redder) and the doctor diagnosed me with both Strep throat and Mono, but strep throat goes away in 3 to 7 days without treatment, and probably even more quickly with treatment. I KNOW FOR A FACT I had strep throat AND a virus. Thanks to my negative mono test, my anxiety soared and I began to think it was HIV. If my mono test had come back POSITIVE, then I would have never started worrying and probably would have never bothered visiting this site. My rash has prolonged this anxiety and I posted this question today so as to erase ALL DOUBT from my mind that I could have HIV.



YOU ARE EXACTLY CORRECT when you mention my "research" has led me down the wrong path.BUT,  Another contribution to my anxiety is that my doctor prescribed e Doxycycline to cure my rash, but it is still present after a 2-week treatment . I am now taking another antibiotic, Bactrin, as he is convinced that what I have must be bacterial and not viral.

This series of unfortunate events (testing negative for mono, misleading internet research, slightly discoloration of penis, seemingly incurable back rash) have made it hard for me to continue life normally without thinking back to possibly having HIV. I keep imaginng myself as making medical history by contracting HIV merely from deep kissing this girl 3 months ago. I am in need of some mental support, but I want you to understand why I've become this way and WHY i keep posting on this site. Thanks for reading this...

[joggen]

I just read in your history that you were Dx'd with strep throat. That would seem to explain much of what has been going on with you regarding symptoms.

[joggen]

The answers on this forum regarding your situation will never change regardless of what "symptoms" you present to it. Your symptoms cannot be due to HIV because you were never at risk for it. Mononucleosis and other community acquired viral infections are much more common and transmissible than HIV, and you don't describe fever, which is almost always present when ARS symptoms appear.

"At 8 or 9 weeks after exposure, I contracted a bad rash on my back, but that was only after I used Nair hair remover on my back"

HIV symptoms always come on together at 2-4 weeks after exposure. The cause of your rash is patently obvious. Stop attributing every single thing that happens in your body to something that you were never at risk for. Your concerns are clearly anxiety driven and are probably being exacerbated by your "research" into HIV symptoms, which almost always leads people down the wrong path.

The advice that you will get on MH is not going to change. Please accept it and move on with your life.