[Question #11375] Ars Rash

14 months ago

Have had unprotected heterosexual encounters with several girls age 18-25 , in Mexico and like three months ago an intense itching begun at night that did not let me sleep, next day woke up with a rash in my back and belly, itching non stop, also tingling in hands and feet and feeling very tired and like drowsy (no fever, no sore throat), my doctor only prescribed an antihistamine called ebastine that just alleviated the itching a little, the symptoms lasted for about a week or a week and a half.

Could this be ARS symptoms?

H. Hunter Handsfield, MD

14 months ago

Welcome to the forum. Thank you for your confidence in our services.

For sure these are not symptoms of ARS. The rash of ARS doesn't itch, and neither tingling nor drowsiness are likely due to ARS. Your symptoms also do not fit with any other STD. This sounds like you're allergic to something. Are you taking any medications? Especially a new drug recently started?

In view of this sexual history, it makes sense to be tested from time to time with a urine test for gonorrhea and chlamydia and blood tests for syphilis and HIV. And you'll probably gain additional reassurance about HIV when you get the negative test result -- not because of your symptoms, but for reassurance. And in the future I would advise you start using condoms for any further sex outside mutually monogamous relationship.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

---
---