Dear community,
Thank you for the work you do on this forum. It is truly valuable.
While I mostly participate as a reader and have occasionally helped answer questions, now it's my turn to ask for advice.
Male, 30 years old, Colombia, South America.
May 8th:
Had vaginal sex with a friend using a latex condom. Received unprotected oral sex.
I'm not sure about my friend's current health status, but she has never mentioned any STIs. We are very close friends.
May 20th:
Started experiencing diarrhea, which has continued until today, May 22nd. I've had stomach discomfort, stomach rumbling, and burping since today. This morning, I ate an apple, and it immediately caused pain. The diarrhea has lessened in intensity, now it's just watery.
Context:
Five days after the sexual encounter, I had to travel to another city for work. I've been staying in hotels and eating mostly junk food like burgers, hot dogs, ice cream, and fries.
I have always had a sensitive stomach, with frequent gastritis and stomach aches.
What triggered my anxiety is that my diarrhea coincides with the ARS timeline for HIV, exactly 12 days. Once I made that connection, I fell into a rabbit hole of worry that I can't get out of.
1. Does this sound like ARS?
2. Is diarrhea alone a symptom of ARS?
3. How risky was my sexual encounter for HIV?
4. According to Doctors Handsfield and Hook, it's very difficult to get HIV from a protected sexual encounter (if your partner has HIV). Is this still true?
5. Should I get tested now to see if my diarrhea is ARS?
Thank you very much.