I really appreciate you offering this service and taking the time to walk through challenging moments with folks like us. 

I’m a 25 year old male with generally asymptomatic genital HSV2 but it’s rarely been active. Two outbreaks in the last one year, and using valtrex 500mg suppression daily. 

I had protected vaginal sex with a girl exactly seven days ago. Yesterday I noticed some sensitivity in my right ground/inner upper thigh area. It doesn’t feel like a bump, but it’s tight, maybe a large lymph node or my muscles are strained from exercise and I’ve also had a sore throat coming on the last few days. Does this sound like ARS that I should be worried about? 

I know HSV2 makes transmissibility 3x more likely. I checked before we had sex and I didn’t see or find any open lesions, but what if I had missed one? The condom covered the most of my genitals. What’s the soonest ARS could begin? 

I’m in grad school and am stressed enough as is so I’d like to be proactive about what I’m doing. 

I know Oraquick is disfavoured, but I’d it’s ARS, would an Oraquick be able to detect it even this early? Since those are cheap and accessible. 

I appreciate any help and assistance you may have, thank you again. 

1.  Most women do not HIV.  

2.  Even if your partner had HIV and considering the modest increase in risk related to your HSV, the likelihood of becoming infected if your partner had untreated HIV and you did not use a condom is less than 1 infection in more than 700 encounters.  With a condom the risk is lower than 1 infection per 70,000 encounters.

3.  Lymph node swelling related to HIV is widespread, not localized in the area you describe.

4.  The ARS is typically a severe sore throat, high temperature, and widespread muscle and/or joint aches.  Your symptoms really do not sound like the ARS

When symptoms are due to HIV 4th generation, combination HIV antigen/antibody tests are always positive and antibody only tests such as the OraQuick are typically positive.  If you do an OraQuick and it is negative this is further evidence that your symptoms are not due to HIV but a 4th generation test would give you a more definitive answer.  Overall your risk for HIV is miniscule.  I would not worry.

Hope these comments are helpful.  EWH

Sure enough the sore throat and leg pain cleared up shortly after your response. 

Thank you for your measured thoughts, and I appreciate this service greatly.