[Question #9721] ARS?

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29 months ago
Engaged in activities with a woman I believe to be quite sexually active. Not knowing her sti status at all, engaged in frottage with her panties still on, mutual hand and I did lick her pussy a bit. No penetration or oral to me. I was originally a little worried about skin to skin diseases as that panties may have slid to the side for a little bit of grinding. It's been a month and I've had no signs of any sores or anything mouth or penis. I originally based on reading posts on here considered this a low/no risk event and have since returned to regular sex with my wife. Where I started to get more worried Is at 3 weeks post exposure I got a cold. I rarely get colds but did spend time with a number of people also sick just prior. Was sick for a week with varrying symptoms, started as just a tickle in my throat on my uvula area, went away quickly and seemed like no cold. Within a day or so felt a little off with then nasal congestion, pretty typical mild cold feeling. Seemed to be already recovering but then briefly on day 5 I did get a bit of a fever late one night, only registered a temp of 37.5.. but had chills and woke up sweaty in the middle of the night and that fever had broke.. cold changed to then just a tickle in the lower throat with a bit of a cough, some nasal congestion but now a week later I'm mostly over these cold feelings. However, just in the last day, so just over 4 weeks post exposure Ive noticed a small rash just in one spot I think on my torso, lower right rib cage. A bit itchy almost like a clothes irritation or heat type rash. Pretty red with little bumps in the one spot only right now. What worries me that I almost had forgotten is that when I was licking her she fingered her pussy a bit. A few minutes later I flipped over to my back where she made me cum via her hand but was playing with my anus and did stick her face in. Not even sure if it was the same hand but I'm now scared 
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
29 months ago
Welcome to the Forum and thanks for your questions.  Like you, I would characterize the interaction you describe as virtually no risk and absolutely no risk for HIV or mucosal STIs such as Gonorrhea, chlamydia, etc.  I suspect the symptoms you describe are coincidental and unrelated to your encounter.   They certainly do not suggest the ARS in that their onset was on the late side and overly drawn out for the ARS, not to mention not nearly as severe as those of the ARS.  Further, with the ARS symptoms are considerably higher than 37.5.  While I see no need for testing, if you wish to be absolutely certain they are not due to HIV, you could test as tests are always positive among persons who are or have experienced the ARS.

I hope you find this information helpful.  EWH 
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29 months ago
Thanks for the information doctor. About a rash as symptom of STIs. Traditionally I had always been told that they aren't really a symptom. Would a rash be the only symptom of ARS? My worry had mostly gone after your response as my cold symptoms had cleared up and my rash spot went away after about 2 days. But over the last couple days my wife has developed a rash..  more widespread than mine on her torso. Little itchy bumps. She's had no cold/flu symptoms like fever or sore throat. We had sex a few times within a week period so this rash would be 10 days post our first intercourse and 17 day post the last one. Has me worried. Guess a find it a little odd we've had a rash so close together. Sound like ARS or possibly syphilis rash symptom?
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
29 months ago
No, a rash is sometimes a componet of the the ARS but the syndrome must have several symptoms which occur at about the same time- the most important symptoms are severe sore throat, muscle and joint aches and high fever.  

Your wifes' symptoms sound like niether syphilis of HIV.  Please don't worry.  EWH
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Edward W. Hook M.D.
29 months ago
I'm perplexed as to why you could not access the thread we started- it was still open.  I'll respond her and if there are no further questions regarding your no risk exposure, I'll request that your charges for the additional question be reversed.  If you follow-up with your 2nd question, the charges will remain in place.

You stated- "My wife's rash has persisted.. 2 weeks now with the rash and it's been very itchy. Over her front and back mostly. But also a bit into her neck and I think she said maybe even spread to her forearms and legs a bit, but not sure it lasted long there. She never did have fever or severe body aches(at least that she mentioned) and early she did mention the hint that her throat might have a tickle but that never really materialized into anything. So basically just this rash that won't seem to go away. She saw one dermatologist a week ago that didn't think much of it, maybe allergic reaction and gave some cream but that has not worked. It will seem to be subsiding at times and then come back red and very itchy. Anyway, she's seeing a different skin specialist today.

Reply- you need to look for other causes for your wife's rash.  My assessment remains the same- you're exposure was NO RISK.  Further an isolated rash of the sort you describe does not suggest the ARS.  Please see my comments above.  This is not HIV.  EWH


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