Doctor I have had 3 condom protected exposures to two different prostitutes over the last 3 to 5 weeks. they supplied the condoms and we used the same condom for oral and vaginal.  these are three exposures two with one girl one with another girl. there was no breakage. however I have a swollen lymph node in front of my right ear not too bad and then today a very large swelling on the right side of my thyroid. no fever no rash, a very mild sore throat for a few days last week.  these are high-volume prostitutes. How concerned should I be? I know you have said condoms are not one hundred percent. is it possible to have only minor lymph nodes and no other symptoms of ARS? I have had some groin and Axial  pain but no notable lymphadenopathy in those locations.

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So, 1.  without the accompanying high fever I should not be concerned? And 2.  if I go to these free screening services that use the finger stick test,  at what point is that going to be reliable? I know it's a hundred percent reliable at 12 weeks but what if I'm a little more anxious than that? And 3 if you can give me any assurances about my odds I would appreciate it these symptoms always seem to coincide with post-exposures as I'm sure you're very familiar with.. and I wasn't even consciously concerned because I used protection

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I fully agree with your assessment, Dr. Hook, and my intent was to get tested for peace of mind, and move on.  However, i have 2-3 lymph nodes in my neck which are so big and tender they are practically throbbing.   I understand that this is non-specific, and I do feel like I'm fighting off a cold, and I have no fever, rash, or generalized lymphadenopathy.  It's the timing that is playing on my fears, I worked out my last exposure to be 2 weeks ago.   Please keep this thread open, and I will get tested at the end of next week (3 weeks post last exposure) and post my results.  I think this will be my last foray into penetrative sex even with a condom.  I can't handle the stress and anxiety, and I always seem to get sick following these adventures (I call them "bad decision days").  I really appreciate you, Dr. Handsfield, and Terri's patience with me through the years and I think you do a great job educating the masses.  I'll try not to worry and will keep you posted.  thanks Dr. Hook!

Thanks for your thanks.  I will try to keep this thread open so you can post what I am confident will be negative test results.---

Okay dr. Hook I got my tests but they were not the traditional antibody test so I was hoping you could explain them to me and then we can close the thread. Test: HIV1 copies /ML-V3, BDNA < 40;  HIV1 log copies- V1 <1.60 ; hiv-1 RNA PCR not detected.. what does this mean? Do I need or do you recommend any other tests? this test day was plus or minus 30 days post last exposure....thanks again, you and your colleagues are godsends....

Thanks for the follow-up.  You had a HIV PCR test which is more sensitive and more expensive than the standard test.  Your test is negative, completely ruling out any possibility of HIV from the exposure you are concerned about.  There is no need for further testing.  You are in the clear.  ---