I recently had unprotected vaginal sex with an ex boyfriend. We both have tested for all STDs and HIV recently within 6 months and we also used Oraquick the day before the encounter. All results were negative. 5 weeks later, out of the blue, I developed a 24 hour type of stomach flu. I had extreme diarrhea nausea and a 99.5 degree fever. No one else in my house was sick. This is what worries me. I think you'll probably say, it's not ARS symptoms but I worry because of the timing of everything. Question is whether anyone in your years of experience has reported a sort of 1 day stomach flu like illness in association with ARS? From my years of research, my gut says no but I like to check with you anytime I'm feeling unsure. Diarrhea is a main symptom in the ARS correct? Gastrointestinal issues in general. Do you think testing is needed based on the symptoms? 

"My gut says no" is exactly right:  you needn't worry at all about your symptoms in regard to HIV. Symptoms never are useful indicators of a new HIV infection; only testing is useful. Even with supposedly typical ARS symptoms, >99% are caused by other things; and most people with new HIV don't develop ARS symptoms anyway. If you fear you have been at risk, ignore any and all symptoms and rely only on appropriately timed testing. Further, your symptoms are not at all suggestive of HIV anyway, and no, diarrhea is not especially common with ARS. Your "worry because of the timing" also is wrong:  ARS symptoms begin 1-2 weeks after exposure -- maybe rarely up to 3 weeks, but certainly not 5 weeks. Finally, your partner's negative Oraquick tests show he could not possibly have infected you with HIV. Almost certainly you have had a garden variety gastrointestinal viral infection, probably norovirus -- regardless of others in your household not having similar symptoms. There definitely is no need for HIV testing in this situation.

Thanks for your confidence in our services; we appreciate that "I like to check with you anytime I'm feeling unsure". Still, you also should listen to your "gut":  what seems common sense and obvious usually is right! And scanning this and your previous 4 questions, in general you describe a sexual lifestyle that makes HIV exceedingly unlikely.

I hope these comments are helpful. Let me know if anything isn't clear.

HHH, MD

Don't worry about HIV, but do get tested at least for COVID. Good luck.

As you anticipated, that concludes this thread. I hope the discussion has been helpful. Best wishes and stay safe.