Some help

[emshep]

Hi,

I posted earlier on the community forum looking for help but would really value your advice.

I was the victim of a rape 3 weeks ago, I do not remember much about the event as it is all a blur but I do know that he penetrated me.  I have been counselled and had all the appropriate testing done straight afterwards which all came back negative.

At 2 weeks I started to get mouth ulcers predominantly on my tongue, these have continued and I hanow have about 10 on my tongue and it seems that when one goes another starts.

I am not asking you tell me if I have HIV, obviously only testing will do that.  However, I am looking for guidance in this difficult time about my symptoms and whether they suggest a recent HIV infection.  Some websites state that mouth ulcers indicate ARS and others state that they do not.  This has left me very confused in what it already a trying time.

I am hoping that you can offer guidance on the tongue ulcers I am experiencing, I have no other symptoms at all.

Thank you for any help you can give.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I'm glad I could help.  Take care.  EWH

[emshep]

Thank you very much, your comments give me a little relief and means I can focus less on these irritating ulcers which hopefully are not related at all.

Thank you for your guidance on testing and it is good to know that if these symptoms are related the test will show this... Although unlikely.

I am due to test again in a week, which will be 4 weeks post the exposure.

I am grateful for your time and your reassurance, it is invaluable to me at this time.

Regards

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Let me first extend my sympathy for you as the victim of a sexual assault.  I understand how traumatic such an event can be.  

I reviewed your interactions on the HIV Prevention Community site and will elaborate.  Mouth ulcers, solitary or multiple are not typical of the ARS and when the ARS occurs, persons typically have multiple symptoms.  the most common symptoms are fevers, sore throat (but not mouth ulcers), and muscle and/or joint aches.  Mouth ulcers alone are not suggestive.  

As far as testing is concerned, if your ulcers have been present for a week and they were due to HIV (VERY unlikely), an HIV blood test would now be positive.  Otherwise, definitive testing should wait.  Testing using the combo or "DUO"  (combination HIV p24 antigen/HIV antibody) tests provide definitive results at 4 weeks.  The more common test only tests for HIV antibodies and is not definitive until 8 weeks.

I hope these comments are helpful to you in this difficult time. EWH