[Question #11759] ARS?
12 months ago
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I’ve been battling with anxiety and stress. From my previous questions, you all plus my prescribing doctor have indicated that chances of HIV infection from my previous exposure are very low but, I’ve developed a lot of questions after experiencing flu like symptoms.
From about day 7 to 8 after exposure, I have had mild intermittent muscle aches that are mostly felt at rest. When I’m busy, I don’t feel them. But, they are mild enough to be uncomfortable. This came with a dry cough that was not severe. I still have the cough intermittently. I also have had the occasional slight headache. The cough sometimes produces a very clear phlegm - this is rare. My nose is never blocked but sometimes feels stuffy. On 2 separate nights - maybe 7 days apart( before and after testing), I’ve woken up with a racing heart and a moist neck and upper chest. Not sure if this is night sweating or anxiety.
Here’s some context. At day 13, I went to get an HIV Elisa which was non reactive. I have also been taking my truvada consistently as planned. I took a covid antigen rapid test on day 15 and it was negative.
From reading forum answers, I’ve understood the ARS would have started in the time I had my symptoms. I’ve also understood that it’s unlikely to have symptoms while on ARVs. It’s also been said that a negative ELISA after having symptoms will always be positive. And that the ARS does not include coughing at most.
However, the fact that the symptoms are non specific and can range from slight to moderate manifestations makes me uneasy.
Can you help with confirming or correcting my understanding. Maybe I can calm myself down.
12 months ago
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I also haven’t had a high fever nor a sore throat.
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
12 months ago
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I'm sorry you're back yet again. We really can't do anything more about your anxiety and stress beyond the answers you already have had.
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Your symptoms do not suggest HIV infection. Apparently you misunderstand the meaning of "flu like". That means fever, muscle aching, headache, etc. It does NOT include nasal congestion (stuffy nose etc) or cough, and these are not included as symptoms of acute retroviral syndrome (ARS). And even with anti-HIV drug treatment, if your symptoms were caused by HIV your latest ELISA test would have been positive. Your negative covid test also should be believed. It sounds like you caught a minor cold, that's all.
I hope these comments are helpful. Do your best to stop worrying and move along!
HHH, MD
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11 months ago
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Thanks for your responses. I had left the thread open to give updates. I continued with my Truvada for 17 days more (total of 30 days post exposure).
Muscle aches, the occasional cough and fatigue continued intermittently. Mostly felt during the night and less when busy. About a week after stopping the truvada, all the symptoms went away. They got progressively better after the last dose. On the last day of my dose, I tested using a rapid finger prick test and it was negative.
I am planning to test again then post results. It is now about 13 days after my last dose. Would a RNA test be conclusive at this point? Also I just want to confirm the rapid test result, while not conclusive, at least proves my symptoms were not due to ARS?
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H. Hunter Handsfield, MD
11 months ago
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For test timing and advice, you should be following the advice of the doctor or clinic that prescribed Truvada. Your symptoms continuing while taking it is further proof you do not have ARS; it isn't possible to have ARS symptoms while taking anti-HIV drugs. Testing 13 days after the last dose makes sense, if your clinic recommends it. For all the reasons discussed above and in your two previous threads, I'm confident it will be negative.
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Threads are closed after 4 weeks, so that concludes this one. Please note the forum rule that prohibits repeated questions on the same topic or exposure. This being your third, it will have to be your last on this sexual exposure and your concerns about HIV; future questions on these topics will receive no reply and the posting fee will not be refunded. This policy is based on compassion, not criticism, and is intended to reduce temptations to keep paying for questions with obvious answers. In addition, experience shows that continued answers tend to prolong users' anxieties rather than reducing them. Finally, such questions have little educational value for other users, one of the forum's main purposes. Thanks for your understanding.
However, I'll make a deal with you. While there will be no point in reporting your future negative HIV test results, if somehow you have a positive result, please return to let us know -- and we will return your posting fee.
Best wishes and stay safe.
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