please help me please

[losingitbad]

I had an exposure on the 6th possible needle stick injury from phlebotomist with bloody hands. Yes she did not wear any gloves. On the 16 I started having a feeling of sharp pains in my neck collar bone and under my arms felt like knives sticking me with lots of burning. Had slight runny nose. Second day pain went away but lymph nodes were still sore and hard to move my neck felt tightness in back of neck. This has been going on now for over 11 days feeling sore but no real pain. Didn’t have any fever or rash. But did start to experience pain the both legs a little over the knees feeling like ive been working out a lot with my legs but I have not.

I took a HIV finger stick test with the department of health on the 23 was negative but that was at the 2 week mark and im worried I might have hiv I usually get sore tonsils but its never felt like this for the last 10 days have been having discomfort in the neck and collar area and back of neck and still the burning muscle feeling. Can you help me please is this ARS.

[hangon51]

Even if you did have unprotected sex,,symptoms  should never be used as a determinant factor to establish infection.
Your needle stick esposure did not put you at risk. So, your symptoms are caused by whatever but not HIV.

[losingitbad]

im sorry this will be the last time i bother you Teak but i know my infection does not sound like a risk if i would have said i had unprotected anal sex with a man what you you think about my symptoms. would they still be not ars or would it be possible.

[Teak]

You are not having ARS.

[losingitbad]

Thanks Teak
I understand that you say i cannot catch it because i didn't do any of these things and it dies outside the body but based on my symptoms just to clear my head do they sound like ARS i just want to make sure in my mind if they could be or not.

thanks a lot I see you do a lot of help here and your thoughts are greatly appreciated. i just need to know why i feel this way.

[Teak]

You never had an exposure.

HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host (unlike many bacteria or fungi, which may do so under suitable conditions), except under laboratory conditions; therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host.

HIV is transmitted by;
Unprotected penetrative anal and/or vaginal sex
Sharing works with other IV drug users
Mother to child