[Question #11347] HIV ARS symptoms and timing
15 months ago
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Hi,
First i would like to thank you for your answers to my previous question. I do have a question regarding ASR.
As per my previous question.
10 days after i got sick, this turned out to be parainfluenza. But 2 weeks after i started feeling itchy and developed jock itch around week 4/5. At exactly week 5 i tested and it was negative. I then had a stiff neck for about 5 days in the week 6 time frame and had minor muscle aches and GI issues that would come and go (i assumed this was just anxiety because i have been dealing with anxiety for 2 years and have had these symptoms). Additionally between week six and seven i was getting pins and neddles in my feet ( once again i assumed this was anxiety as i have had this before). During this time my skin became dried out and i felt itchy but with no rash. On week 8 i tested again ( 4th gen combo) and it was negative.
At week 10 I continue to have the jock itch after 4 weeks of using ointment and still have dry skin and feel itchy ( seasonal allergies have been bad this year).
What is the time frame for ARS. I read jock itch and fungal infections can be caused by HIV. Is that more during later stages?
Based on these symptoms should i test again.
Has a week 5 and week 8 negative 4th gen (vein lab test) ever changed at week 12 to positive.
I will adhere to your advice.
15 months ago
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I have also noticed i occasionally wake up with a raspy voice and occasional cough but it comes and goes. I attributed this to seasonal allergies. Can ARS affect your voice and if so will it be persistent or is it possible it comes and goes.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
15 months ago
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Welcome back to the Forum although I'm sorry you felt the need. On this occasion I happened to be assigned your questions and will be responding. In preparing to respond, I read your interaction yesterday with Dr. Handsfield and agree with all that he said. The encounter you describe was effectively no risk for HIV and very, very low risk for other STIs. Your tests, including the week 8 test for HIV PROVE that you were not infected. It will not "turn positive" in the future.
The ARS is a syndrome which occurs in persons who recently acquired HIV, occurs between 10 and 30 days following an exposure, and is characterized by High fever, SEVERE sore throat, and widespread muscle or joint aches. FYI, when persons with these symptoms are tested, over 99% have something other than HIV, including parainfluenza which you had.
jock itch is not a sign of recently acquired HIV. Neither is cough or a raspy voice.
I encourage you to take a deep breath, accept your test results and more forward. There is no scientific or medical reason for further testing. If you are having trouble moving forward, you do not need additional testing but may need the help of a trained counselor. EWH
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15 months ago
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Hi Doc,
I already have a therapist, started getting anxiety after my 5th time with Covid (and having long covid) a few years back. He told me to get professional feedback and close the door and move forward.
The issue is that i should have came here first, before reading everything on the internet. I had read severe dry skin is common in people with HIV as well as fungal infections (including jock itch) due to the weakened immune system. I imagine this is referring to the later stages?
When i got my 8 week test was because i went to my doc after a vacation to Florida. The head on my penis was red and burned to pee. He said it was a fungal infection likely from the bathing suit and jock itch (this started at week 7). He tested me for everything and everything came back negative (week 8).
One last question, any rashes that are now developed cannot be attributed to the exposure or HIV given the two negative results. Are there any STDs that manifest later (7-10 weeks) I know i am clear (from negative testing) of HIV, hep A B and C, clamydia, and gonorrhea, and i have not seen any herpes lesions.
15 months ago
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As mentioned many of my anxiety symptoms over last two years included, neck and back tightness, tingling in feet, random aches and pain, flu like feeling that comes and goes (one day feel like shit the next day feel great), GI issues that come and go, and occasional tightness is throat. I just wanted to be sure, before i passed all these symptoms off as anxiety. My therapist told me its important to be sure you have a clean bill of health because anxiety symptoms can mimic many other conditions. He said that you do not want to pass off a symptom as anxiety without checking with a medical professional.
Now that everything has been cleared, I am ready to close the door on this and move forward.
Thanks for the help.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
15 months ago
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Tthanks for the detailed explanation. I'm pleased to hear that you are working with a therapist. I also hope that I've been able to assure you that you do not have HIV and need not worry about this. EWH---
15 months ago
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Last follow up and then you can close this out.
When i got my 8 week test was because i went to my doc after a vacation to Florida. The head on my penis was red and burned to pee. He said it was likely a fungal infection likely from the bathing suit and jock itch (this started at week 7). He tested me for everything and everything came back negative (week 8).
1.) Are there any STDs that manifest later (7-10 weeks) I know i am clear (from negative testing) of HIV, hep A B and C, clamydia, and gonorrhea, and i have not seen any herpes lesions?
2.)Are herpes lesions distinct or can it be just a red area the lasts a month. I read that they are usually blisters that pop and would heal in a few weeks.
3.) Also what is the time frame for herpes lesions to develop after exposure?
Thank you for your advice and support.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
14 months ago
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Final responses (with apologies for the delayed response:
1. No- this is not suggestive of any STI
2. Herpes lesions would not last a month. At most a HSV lesion would be present to 7-10 days and that would be unsual
3. If you acquired HSV, lesions would have appeared within 10 days of your exposure
This will complete this thread. Sorry for the delayed response. EWH
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