[Question #10636] Ars symptoms while taking pep?
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21 months ago
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Hello doctors- I desperately need your help.
I (make) met another male via a dating app. While we were making out, he got behind me and put his penis on my anus and started humping. I am fairly sure he didn’t insert himself in me (there was no lube involved or I didn’t feel any discomfort in my anus). However I keep second guessing my self.
22 hours after the exposure I started taking pep. However 3days after exposure I started to feel symptoms of tight neck muscles/ discomfort in the lymph node area, head ache, mucus/phylum in my throat.
On day 3 of exposure I took an hiv rna test and it came back negative. However it is now day 10 and I’m having the same symptoms. My questions are:
1. Can these be ars symptoms even though I am taking pep? Is it possible that pep has failed which is why I am experiencing these symptoms?
2. does ars symptoms occur as early as 2-3 days post exposure?
3. Is it possible that he could have penetrated me and I didn’t feel it? (I am a virgin and never had anal sex)
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
21 months ago
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Welcome to our Forum. Thanks for your questions. I'll be glad to comment. The exposure you describe was very low and perhaps no risk. No penetration, no risk. Further, your decision to take PEP, while something I did not think was needed, further reduces any risk that might have been present. To answer your specific questions:
1. Can these be ars symptoms even though I am taking pep? Is it possible that pep has failed which is why I am experiencing these symptoms?
It would be most unlikely, Your risk was virtually no risk and PEP makes it even less likely. When at risk persons with flu-like have been studied, less than 1% of them had HIV. Most had HIV, COVID-19, or one of the many, many other far more common, non-STI community acquired viral infections.
2. does ars symptoms occur as early as 2-3 days post exposure?
No, the symptoms of the ARS typically begin 10-20, and never more than 30 days after a risky exposure.
3. Is it possible that he could have penetrated me and I didn’t feel it? (I am a virgin and never had anal sex)
Very unlikely.
I hope this information is helpful. If you are concern, get a test. When persons have symptoms due to the ARS, their 4th generation, combination HIV antigen/antibody tests are always positive. Should you test, I am confident your test will be negative.
I hope that this information is helpful. EWH
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21 months ago
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Thank you doctor. A few more questions:
1. I took a hiv rna test at 3 days post exposure when I started having symptoms (pain in lymphnodes etc.). The result was negative. Could this rule out that my symptoms are ars or is it too early?
2. I took another hiv rna test 10 days post exposure and still waiting for results. It has been 2 days that I’m waiting and I’m anxious because last time I got my previous test results back by now. Does this mean that my test will show something?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
21 months ago
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When symptoms are due to HIV the virus is detectable and HIV RNA PCR tests would be positive.
I would not worry that the delay represents a problem with your test. Mire likely due to logistical issues within the laboratory. I am confident your repeat HIV RNA PCR will also be negative.
Try not to worry. EWH
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20 months ago
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Thanks doctor I took the hiv rna test at 10 days post exposure and a 4th generation at 14 days post exposure (while still on pep) and both came back negative. If I have unprotected sex with my partner while still on pep, is it likely that I will transfer hiv to her even with both and rna and 4gen coming back negative for me?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
20 months ago
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You continue to worry more than is warranted. Your negative RNA test does not surprise me give the very low risk nature of your exposure. Persons with negative HIV RNA tests cannot transmit HIV.
We provide up to three responses to each clients questions. This will be my final response. EWH
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