[Question #5841] ARS

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72 months ago
Dear Sirs,

A couple of years ago, I came on this forum with hiv related questions which you advised I have a test to clear any doubt. The truth is I have been unable to test due to fear. I know you will be very disappointed. As a matter of fact my last test was somewhere in 2015. Since that test I have had sex with about 15 ladies all protected. 

I am here on a different issue, there is this lady I like so much who knows everything about me. I have told her all my sexual experience and how I sometimes think I have hiv. She believes I am thinking too much. We have had sex a couple of times. All with condom though at times we have rubbed our genitals against each other naked. 

We recently had protected sex when I was recovering from flu. 6 or 7 days later she came down with flu including running nose and congestion which ended her in hospital due to her feeling dizzy. She also had temperature. They run a fbc and malaria and according to the doctor everything was normal. There was no rash and visible swollen lymp nodes. After 5 days she was discharged but it's still about 10 days and she still feels chills and loss of apetite. I am so scared this might be ars considering the timing and symptoms. Please advice. 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
72 months ago
Welcome back to the Forum.  I'll be glad to comment.  your recent flu-like illness was almost certainly a non-HIV, non-STI viral illness of the sort that most people get from time to time and not the ARS.  The ARS occurs 2-3 weeks and always within a month of sexual exposure.  thus for you to have the ARS from an exposure years ago is years ago.  Further, the fact that you used a condom means that you could not have acquired HIV from your recent partner in the very unlikely circumstance that she has HIV.  It is not at all uncommon for persons with flu-like illnesses to feel poorly for a week or two after the onset of their illness.

I need to once again however urge you to have an HIV test.  The fact that you have been well and have a normal blood count are all supportive evidence that you did not get HIV from your encounter several years ago.  From your description, it is clear that you continue to worry that you have HIV.  The best way to reassure yourself is to get tested. Please remember, nothing changes by getting tested HIV except the fact that you will know that you do not have HIV and therefore can stop worrying about it.  In the very, very unlikely event that your HIV test was positive, you could then get treated and by being treated live a long, normal life.  In your case however, I am confident that your test would be negative, providing you with relief from your continued worry.  EWH
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72 months ago
Please Dr Hook read my question again. I am worried about the lady having ars. I think I might have passed something to the lady.
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
72 months ago
I read your question and it is not logical.  You have no reason to think you have ARS and therefore your concern that you might have transferred something that there is no evidence that you have is unrealistic.  With her flu-like illness she may or may not have been tested for HIV.  A runny nose is not a sign of the ARS.  

As before, my advice is for you to get tested.  That is the most direct way to address your unwarranted concerns.  If your test is negative, there is no way you could have passed HIV to her. EWH
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