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Unprotected sex scare
Hello all,
I had unprotected sex with a female on August 6th. Strictly relating to ARS I was wondering if my symptoms should be of a concern before I get tested since I have to wait 3 months for a conclusive result. The only symptoms I have developed since then were:
1) Dry cough, 4 week duration
2) Discomfort in the throat (but not your typical "pins and needles" sore throat), 3 week duration
3) Boils
4) On and off pain in my muscle (left forearm and heel tendon), 4 week duration
Not sure if this is related but I had gastroenteritis (diagnosed by a physician) 4 weeks BEFORE my exposure with this female. I had a high fever for a day followed by an onset of 6-7 days of recurring watery diarrhea. However, when I was HIV negative and my last sexual activity was in March. I always practice safe sex and when unprotected I have low to no risk exposure (oral sex) and I always get tested.
Fast forward 4 weeks after my gastroenteritis incident I happened to have the misfortunate of having the condom slip out upon having sex. I may have been exposed to her vagina for roughly 30 seconds. Besides my fever from the gastroenteritis I did NOT had a mild or high fever since my exposure. 5 days later I did feel a bit tired or uneasy by the end of the week but immediately took my temperature twice during the day and evening and they both read 98.6 and 98.8 F, respectively (37 and 37.1 C, respectively). Since then I did not feel any overall body discomfort or fever.
Regarding my dry cough. A week after my gastroenteritis (still before exposure) I had an irritating dry cough that lasted 3-4 days that disappeared but reappeared roughly a week later after my unprotected exposure and is still here but not as prominent. I produced no phlegm or fever and the dry cough was more prominent when I would breathe in really deep or when I was laughing. Also less frequent or non-existent now, at the time I would get minor chest discomfort. I have been able to engage in 60-90 mins of high intensity cardio without having to catch my breath. I have also noticed a weird "discomfort" in the throat. It is not your typical sore throat with the pins and needles feeling upon swallowing or eating but much rather a slight discomfort on the right side of the back of my throat that comes on and off throughout the day with a possible mass on the right side. BTW I visited a nurse practitioner who actually said she did not notice a mass but I still have this on and off "sore throat discomfort" that has been there for 3 weeks but I only just noticed the possible lymph node mass that was disregarded but I am not fully sure.
I have checked like crazy and to my knowledge have not noticed any enlarged lymph node in my axilla (shoulder), groin area or cervical area (besides the one mentioned above). I did however notices 2 boils in my groin/thigh area and armpit area which I ended up squeezing and they both produced pus.
Lastly, I also had severe skin itching early on that has subsided immensely or i don't notice anymore (NO RASH) and this on and off muscle/tendon ache for 4 weeks that constantly appears in heel tendons (more right than left foot) and my left forearm muscle but I do not have a general body ache. The ache could be there for a number of minutes (it varies from maybe 10 to 60 mins) and then suddenly reappear like an hour or two later or not at all during the day. Very confused by that. To my knowledge no soreness in my joints. I also searched online and please correct me if I am wrong but an HIV infection is related to more of myopathy which I read online can cause incredible discomfort/pain upon walking or even stretching ones arm (I did not have that). Since my exposure I have still been engaging in my regular sports activities and have had no issue with running out of breath or feeling tired but as mentioned I still have a dry cough.
I was worried about a possible Herpes infection too because of a dry scaly rash I noticed in my genital area 3 days after exposure (but that was brought up in another forum) which I heard can be related to nerve itching or pain that may be affecting my muscles so I am not sure. Once again this is to figure out where I stand before I do a conclusive 3 month test with STI testing as well. It is 5 weeks post-exposure and I have searched my body intensely and after reviewing early HIV symptoms I have not noticed anything else. Apologies for the long message and paranoia but I wanted to get all my thoughts out.
I had unprotected sex with a female on August 6th. Strictly relating to ARS I was wondering if my symptoms should be of a concern before I get tested since I have to wait 3 months for a conclusive result. The only symptoms I have developed since then were:
1) Dry cough, 4 week duration
2) Discomfort in the throat (but not your typical "pins and needles" sore throat), 3 week duration
3) Boils
4) On and off pain in my muscle (left forearm and heel tendon), 4 week duration
Not sure if this is related but I had gastroenteritis (diagnosed by a physician) 4 weeks BEFORE my exposure with this female. I had a high fever for a day followed by an onset of 6-7 days of recurring watery diarrhea. However, when I was HIV negative and my last sexual activity was in March. I always practice safe sex and when unprotected I have low to no risk exposure (oral sex) and I always get tested.
Fast forward 4 weeks after my gastroenteritis incident I happened to have the misfortunate of having the condom slip out upon having sex. I may have been exposed to her vagina for roughly 30 seconds. Besides my fever from the gastroenteritis I did NOT had a mild or high fever since my exposure. 5 days later I did feel a bit tired or uneasy by the end of the week but immediately took my temperature twice during the day and evening and they both read 98.6 and 98.8 F, respectively (37 and 37.1 C, respectively). Since then I did not feel any overall body discomfort or fever.
Regarding my dry cough. A week after my gastroenteritis (still before exposure) I had an irritating dry cough that lasted 3-4 days that disappeared but reappeared roughly a week later after my unprotected exposure and is still here but not as prominent. I produced no phlegm or fever and the dry cough was more prominent when I would breathe in really deep or when I was laughing. Also less frequent or non-existent now, at the time I would get minor chest discomfort. I have been able to engage in 60-90 mins of high intensity cardio without having to catch my breath. I have also noticed a weird "discomfort" in the throat. It is not your typical sore throat with the pins and needles feeling upon swallowing or eating but much rather a slight discomfort on the right side of the back of my throat that comes on and off throughout the day with a possible mass on the right side. BTW I visited a nurse practitioner who actually said she did not notice a mass but I still have this on and off "sore throat discomfort" that has been there for 3 weeks but I only just noticed the possible lymph node mass that was disregarded but I am not fully sure.
I have checked like crazy and to my knowledge have not noticed any enlarged lymph node in my axilla (shoulder), groin area or cervical area (besides the one mentioned above). I did however notices 2 boils in my groin/thigh area and armpit area which I ended up squeezing and they both produced pus.
Lastly, I also had severe skin itching early on that has subsided immensely or i don't notice anymore (NO RASH) and this on and off muscle/tendon ache for 4 weeks that constantly appears in heel tendons (more right than left foot) and my left forearm muscle but I do not have a general body ache. The ache could be there for a number of minutes (it varies from maybe 10 to 60 mins) and then suddenly reappear like an hour or two later or not at all during the day. Very confused by that. To my knowledge no soreness in my joints. I also searched online and please correct me if I am wrong but an HIV infection is related to more of myopathy which I read online can cause incredible discomfort/pain upon walking or even stretching ones arm (I did not have that). Since my exposure I have still been engaging in my regular sports activities and have had no issue with running out of breath or feeling tired but as mentioned I still have a dry cough.
I was worried about a possible Herpes infection too because of a dry scaly rash I noticed in my genital area 3 days after exposure (but that was brought up in another forum) which I heard can be related to nerve itching or pain that may be affecting my muscles so I am not sure. Once again this is to figure out where I stand before I do a conclusive 3 month test with STI testing as well. It is 5 weeks post-exposure and I have searched my body intensely and after reviewing early HIV symptoms I have not noticed anything else. Apologies for the long message and paranoia but I wanted to get all my thoughts out.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Do not focus at your symptoms, they are often confusing and misleading. You had a risk, and the only way to rule it out is to get yourself tested. You may go for it any time now, get your conclusive test report and move on with your life and stay away from the internet for HIV related search.
4th generation duo (AB+Ag) test is conclusive after 28 days
4th generation duo (AB+Ag) test is conclusive after 28 days
9 Comments
All I could find in my area is a 4th generation test that only detects the p24 antigen. Is that also conclusive after 28 days as well?
I don't believe there is any such test on the market. 4th generation tests look for antigens AND antibodies.
Also thank you diver58 for replying back. Do you know where in the US I can purchase this?
Also any other experts that can please comment
Also any other experts that can please comment
You can't purchase it yourself. In the US, you will likely get this test at any STD or public health clinic, or any doctor's office. It's the standard.
I didn't know that. That makes it easier for me to access. If I may ask what do you think CurfewX about my situation based off your experience?
Symptoms don't diagnose HIV, and those don't sound like HIV symptoms, and the timing is wrong. Just get tested ASAP and put this behind you.
I know that 20% don't show symptoms so you can absolutely right. And I will get tested early next week when I get paid next week unless there are places where the duo test is free and I can afford it.
Thank you!
Thank you!
You are wasting your mental resources studying symptoms and hunting on the internet for statistics. They can't prove anything so you will have to keep looking, which will always make you feel worse.
And I have stopped. Next step is trying to figure out if insurance or the US govt provides free or subsidized HIV duo tests. Thoughts?
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