[Question #10285] ars

24 months ago

I tested negative (Alere rapid duo) day 31, 32 & 37 post Jun 17th risk. (the day 31 test looked odd but counselor ruled it neg)

Day 53 after 2nd risk I had a few tiny mouth sores on cheeks (hopefully not thrush). Now they are gone. I scratched them off.

Day 54 I started to have a anxiety attack first thing in the AM, during which time I had one episode of diarrhea. I took a shower and went to get yet another rapid HIV test (Alere). The result was neg.

1. Do I need a hep c test from my risks?

2. When does ARS occur? The web says between 2 to 6 weeks. (I saw Dr Jose said 2 to 6 weeks)

3. Is 54 days to long to be ARS?

4. Is diarrhea in isolation an ARS symptom?

5. Would my negative HIV test 1 or 2 hours latter (after the diarrhea) rule out that the diarrhea was ARS? (Sometimes Dr. Hunter says you must wait a day or two)

6. Does a test 2 days shy of 8 weeks rule out hiv-2? (I read you need an 8 week test to rule out hiv-2)

7. Can I sleep unprotected with my regular partner or do I need more tests?

I want to move move on but my symptoms (yesterdays diarrhea) are holding me back. I continue to take anxiety meds / counseling. Thanks

24 months ago

I am sorry. I am having computer problems. My first attempt got cut off. Here is my full post.

I am struggling to move on because of my past & symptoms.

April 16 or 30, 2023 I fingered a gal & received a BJ for seconds.

June 17 2023 I kissed a girl licked her breast and fingered her with a small nick on my finger.

Since these risks I had numerous symptoms (see previous post).

I tested negative (Alere rapid duo) day 31, 32 & 37 post Jun 17th risk. (the day 31 test looked odd but counselor ruled it neg)

Day 53 after 2nd risk I had a few tiny mouth sores on cheeks (hopefully not thrush). Now they are gone. I scratched them off.

1. Do I need a hep c test from my risks?

2. When does ARS occur? The web says between 2 to 6 weeks. (I saw Dr Jose said 2 to 6 weeks)

3. Is 54 days to long to be ARS?

4. Is diarrhea in isolation an ARS symptom?

5. Would my negative HIV test 1 or 2 hours latter (after the diarrhea) rule out that the diarrhea was ARS? (Sometimes Dr. Hunter says you must wait a day or two)

6. Does a test 2 days shy of 8 weeks rule out hiv-2? (I read you need an 8 week test to rule out hiv-2)

7. Can I sleep unprotected with my regular partner or do I need more tests?

I want to move move on but my symptoms (yesterdays diarrhea) are holding me back. I continue to take anxiety meds / counseling. Thanks

Edward W. Hook M.D.

24 months ago

Welcome back to the Forum although I'm sorry that you felt the need. I understand that your past personal trauma would, understandably, raise your level of anxiety but I am confident that you have already ruled out HIV repeatedly. Apparently you have been back on the Internet which I urge you do stop doing. Much of what is there is out of date, taken out of context, or just plain wrong. There is no way to tell what is correct there and what is not. For persons such as yourself, the internet is NOT your friend. Working through your somewhat repetitive questions, most of which have already be answered by myself or Dr. Handsfield in our earlier interactions:

1. Do I need a hep c test from my risks?

No! Hepatitis C is not transmitted sexually except, on rare occasions to the receptive partner in receptive rectal intercourse. You are not at risk for hepatitis C despite what you read on the internet.

2. When does ARS occur? The web says between 2 to 6 weeks. (I saw Dr Jose said 2 to 6 weeks)

The web is incorrect. Virtually all cases of the ARS occur within 30 days of an exposure. Once a person experiences the onset of ARS symptoms, tests are ALWAYS positive (it is the presence of the virus and antibodies to the virus, the same things that tests look for, that cause ARS symptoms)

3. Is 54 days to long to be ARS?

Absolutely!

4. Is diarrhea in isolation an ARS symptom?

No way. Most persons with ARS do not experience any diarrhea. Isolated diarrhea is certainly not an ARS symptom

5. Would my negative HIV test 1 or 2 hours latter (after the diarrhea) rule out that the diarrhea was ARS? (Sometimes Dr. Hunter says you must wait a day or two)

Yes- see my comment above.

6. Does a test 2 days shy of 8 weeks rule out hiv-2? (I read you need an 8 week test to rule out hiv-2)

Yes, be confident y0u do not have HIV-2, or HIV-1

7. Can I sleep unprotected with my regular partner or do I need more tests?

Further testing is a waste of time and resources. The results are not going to change. There is certainly no reason related to the encounters youhave described to avoid having unprotected sex with your regulars partner.

I hope these, somewhat repetitive answers, are helpful. The answers are not going to change. Please don't worry. EWH

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23 months ago

Doctor. Thank you for your straightforward response..

Day 63 (this past Sunday)post exposure I slept in front of a fan. I woke up (day 64)with a very stuffy nose and dry mouth.

Lunch time I went and had a rapid hiv 4th gen test. The result was negative.

The past two days I still have a clogged nose and woke up with very slight dry mouth. I think it’s from mouth breathing while sleeping (because of sinus issue). The dry mouth is just when I wake up.

Follow-ups

1. Is 63 days post risk to late for Ars from hiv 1 or 2?

2. Is dry mouth an Ars symptom? I think it’s when you have a well established infection not during Ars. Please explain?

3. If dry mouth was a symptom that I was recently infected would my test the very next morning have been positive?

4. How come Dr. Handsfield sometimes says tests are routinely a positive a day or two after symptoms start. Other times it is said if you have symptoms you will test positive.

5. Do I need more tests or can I just forget about this and resume sexual contact with my partner?

6. Can dry mouth be caused from sinus issues that lead to mouth breathing while sleeping?

7. Would you consider my 63 day rapid 4th gen negative test conclusive or are the symptoms concerning?

Thanks for your time! I just want to move on.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

23 months ago

The final sentence of your follow up said “I want to move on.” You need to. Asking repetitive questions when you have conclusively proven that you do not have HIV is not helping you. I suggest that you seek the advice of a counselor to help you deal with the continuing traumas of your past experiences, so that you can move forward in a sexually healthy manner. My follow ups will be brief.

1. Yes, 63 days as far, far too long for any symptoms, you experience to be due to the ARS.

2. Dry mouth is absolutely not a symptom of the ARS. Nor is it a common finding in persons with well-established HIV

3. If you were symptomatic with HIV infection, your test would be positive. You’ve been told this before.

4. The symptoms of the ARS are due to the interaction of HIV antibodies and the circulating virus. Because of this fourth generation tests are always positive in persons experiencing the ARS. A nervous person might attribute some nonspecific findings to the IRS before they actually had a positive test, but this really would not be the ARS.

5. You absolutely do not need additional tests of any sort. You do not have HIV. You can safely resume unprotected sexual contact with your regular park without concern.

6. Mouth breathing, for any reason can certainly cause a dry mouth.

7. Your symptoms are not the least bit concerning. You’re 63 day test, like your earlier tests at day 54 are conclusive.

I hope my responses will help you to move forward. EWH.

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23 months ago

test

23 months ago

Day 65 post exposure I mentioned having a dry mouth when I woke. I also had a stuffy nose and body aches. I tested negative with an alere rapid duo that afternoon.

Day 70 post exposure (August 26th) in the late evening I saw a little white spec on my bottom lip near the corner. Because of anxiety I decided to pick it thinking it could turn to angular chelitis.

Yesterday (day 72 post risk) I tested negative for hiv using an alere rapid duo.

I also tested negative with a rapid hep c test. (even though you said i didnt need this test) My eyes were slightly red and tired.

Follow-ups:

I know my lip thing was not angular cheilitis rationally, it was probably just my anxiety.

Regardless:

1. If it was angular chelitis is there anyway this could be the ARS at 10 weeks post risk. I believe you will say no way.

2. Does being tested 2 days (less then 48 hours) after picking my lip (leaving a scab) rule out that the sore was was not related to hiv 1/2 or ars (72 days post risk)

3. Did my hcv negative test (72 days post risk) rule out hep c infection?

4. Does hep c infection delay hiv 1 or 2 infection?

5. In my 72 day hiv duo rapid test that was negative definitely rule out hiv 1 or 2?

6. Can I sleep unprotected with my partner?

7. Is counseling what I really need not more tests?

8. Lastly if I get more symptoms (mouth sores etc) can it be fair to assume it has nothing to do with hiv or ars?

9. Did I really not have an HCV exposure (fingering a vagina with a possible nick)?

23 months ago

Dr. Hook,

One last thing.

The tiny spec on my lip Saturday night upset me. That’s why I tested yesterday. Did that definitely rule hiv 1 and 2 / Ars out?

I wanted to thank you for this service. Whatever advice you give I will take it.

Edward W. Hook M.D.

23 months ago

As you know, we provide up to three responses to each client's questions. Thus this will be my 3rd and final response. After that the thread will be closed without further responses and you should not return to the Forum. If you do, your question may be deleted without return of your posting fee and without a response. You need to move forward. It appears that you cannot do this on your own so I urge you to seek professional counseling to help you move forward, doing so with complete confidence that you do not have HIV. Final responses:

1. If it was angular chelitis is there anyway this could be the ARS at 10 weeks post risk. I believe you will say no way.

Most people with angular cheilitis do not have HIV. There is no way that this is the ARS. You do not have HIV, having proven this numerous times with conclusive negative tests.

2. Does being tested 2 days (less then 48 hours) after picking my lip (leaving a scab) rule out that the sore was was not related to hiv 1/2 or ars (72 days post risk)

Your results are conclusive. You do not have HIV.

3. Did my hcv negative test (72 days post risk) rule out hep c infection?

Yes

4. Does hep c infection delay hiv 1 or 2 infection?

5. In my 72 day hiv duo rapid test that was negative definitely rule out hiv 1 or 2?

Yes

6. Can I sleep unprotected with my partner?

Yes

7. Is counseling what I really need not more tests?

Absolutely. I suggest you share this, as well as your prior interactions with the Forum with your counselor

8. Lastly if I get more symptoms (mouth sores etc) can it be fair to assume it has nothing to do with hiv or ars?

Yes

9. Did I really not have an HCV exposure (fingering a vagina with a possible nick)?

Correct.

Please seek counseling. You clearly are having trouble moving forward and while that is understandable, you need to figure out a way to move forward. Further repetitive, anxiety driven questions in the face of your negative tests will not do that. Thus you need to do something different and working to address your fears with a trained mental health professional is an appropriate next step. I wish you the best. EWH

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