Hi Drs. I had an unprotected oral sex exposure and a seemingly protected vaginal sex exposure. I don’t have reason to believe that my partner removed the condom but I am wondering now as a result of recent symptoms. Before intercourse, his penis rubbed my outer clit area. Before sex, we exchanged test results which is why I felt comfortable moving forward but now I’m questioning the validity because I got sick about 2 1/2 weeks after the encounter. I began feeling severe stuffiness to where I could hardly breathe, productive cough with phlegm, burning feeling in my nose and throat. I assumed from post nasal drip and this lasted for a good week. Is the sore throat related to Ars scratchy or burning? I saw a pinkish rash on my right cheek which lasted about 2 days maybe. After all of these symptoms were gone, I had a herpes outbreak and developed a year infection shortly after. Maybe the following week. I will admit, I was around a couple sick people and had taken an antibiotic which could have contributed to the yeast infection but whenever in doubt, I appreciate your thorough medical opinion. I had a little bit of lower back pain also. My questions are assuming precum on my outer cliteris area and the oral exposure, does this sound like potential acute HIV symptoms? Do you recommend testing? Am I worried for nothing? It’s the timing that has me concerned and questioning more than anything. Would an isolated rash on one side of my cheek be ARS related? Is the subsequent outbreak possibly related to another viral illness? I don’t have frequent outbreaks. Maybe every other year. Also, I thought that sinus infections were bacterial in nature and mine appeared to be viral as it went away on its own. Am I over thinking this? Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you! 

Welcome back to the Forum.  I'm sorry that when you become ill with respiratory tract symptoms the ARS appears to be the first thing that comes to mind.  You have done everything right- asking your partner, seeing his results, etc.  The encounter you describe was close to no risk and the symptoms you describe are not those of the ARS which have been described to you previously.  Productive cough is not a sign of the ARS, nor is a transient rash localized to one cheek.  Testing is always a personal choice but I see little in the way of symptoms reason to test for.  I would  not be worried.  EWH---

Thank you for responding so quickly. I know better after all these years than to rely upon symptoms or allow them to stress me out but the timing of these symptoms have got the best of me mentally. I will test at the appropriate time but for future reference, can you tell me whether it’s an HIV risk for a man’s genitalia to touch or rub a woman’s vaginal on the outside near or on the clitoris? Assuming maybe his precum makes contact. Also I forgot to mention I was sneezing also and I KNOW that isn’t a symptom. Also, I didn’t use a thermometer but I’m 99% certain that I did not have a fever. Is it rare to experience ARS without a fever?Lastly, when people experiencing ARS describe their sore throat, they always say it’s BAD. Can you tell me in your experience is it the burning sensation or the scratchy nature that most people describe? 

HIV is transmitted through penetrative sexual activity.  No penetration, no risk.  Tho touching/rubbing you describe is called "frottage" and is a form of masturbation, even when genital secretions are present.---