I am very sorry that I am back and I do understand that my question may be redundant (considering the replies and recommendations provided on my 2 previous questions).

I certainly have comprehended the responses provided by the doc on my last questions but my current symptoms have forced me to come back and ask for an opinion. Over the past 2 to 3 days, I have started having widespread joint and muscle aches accompanied with a mild sore throat. The throat does look infected. I often feel a tingling sensation on my joints and on the muscles. I also have an excruciating headache along with a pain behind my ears. I haven't noticed any fever though. This is very concerning considering the timelines for ARS symptoms (~15 days post exposure). I do sometimes observe a mild chill towards the evening.

I did an HIV PCR RNA test at the 10th day (which came back negative) and I do understand that this isn't conclusive until 11 days. I am planning to take another HIV RNA PCR test this week to ensure that it wasn't a false negative (since I took it a bit too early) and probably repeat again at 28 days to be certain.

Are these ARS symptoms ?

First, half or more of new HIV infections have no symptoms at all. Second, when symptoms of ARS are present, most symptoms are no different than the symptoms of innumerable other conditions, most of which are far more common than ARS. Therefore, symptoms almost never are useful and should never be a cause for worry; and absence of symptoms doesn't mean you don't have HIV anyway. Therefore, HIV test results are the ONLY way to judge whether or not someone might have a new HIV infection.

In addition, it is not possible to have HIV/ARS symptoms and test negative. Stated another way, everyone with ARS symptoms tests positive, regardless of how long it has been since a possible exposure. In other words, your statement that you PCR test isn't conclusive is not correct:  even though too early to prove you do not have HIV, the negative result DOES prove that any symptoms you have are not ARS. And the symptoms you report are not typical for ARS anyway.

On top of all that, you had a zero risk exposure for all practical purposes:  as Dr. Hook advised, there has never been a proved case of HIV transmitted oral to penis. You didn't even need HIV testing on account of that event.

Perhaps you also would like to know that in the 20 years of this and our preceding forum, with thousands of questions from people worried about a new HIV infection, not one has yet turned out to be infected. You will not be the first!

Settle down and trust the science. You'll be fine.

HHH, MD

I repeated the HIV1 RNA PCR Test @ 17 days and the test results have come out as negative. Summary of all my tests:

Thanks so much for you replies and for all the help.

The PCR test is considered conclusive by 11-12 days after exposure. However, most experts advise also having an AgAb test at 28 days or more after exposure. That negative combination for sure is 100% conclusive. But since it is already certain you do not have HIV, another test at that time is optional. If somehow I were in your situation, I would not feel the need, but it's your decision.