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Does ARS rash occur after the fever?

I can’t find the answer to this question anywhere.  So, I had unprotected vaginal sex with a guy a little over a month ago.  The unprotected part was rather brief - mostly we used a condom.  So I was only exposed to precum.

Anyway, 3 weeks later, I had flu symptoms.  I felt like **** the first day and had a fever, the second day I think I may have still had a fever, but was already feeling much better, and by the third day I did not have a fever, and was feeling mostly okay.  For the period that I was having symptoms, my symptoms were: fever, body aches, headache, mild sore throat.

Then about 7 days after the fever had subsided (10 days after the onset of fever), I got a rash.  It was mostly located in my groin area, but also on my torso (mainly below the chest), a bit on the back of my neck, and on my hands, arms and insides of my legs.  It was maculopapular and most dense around my hips, and pretty light everywhere else.  I first noticed it after walking around in 100 degree heat, sweating profusely in tight jeans, so it could definitely be heat rash.  But it was all over (not just under my jeans), which has me worried.  It also didn’t really itch. And it lasted about a week.

Does this sound like ARS?  Is it normal to have such a short fever or to have the rash occur a week after resolution of the initial symptoms?

I’m getting tested, so this isn’t a substitute for the test.  Just anxious and want to know what I should expect.
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20620809 tn?1504362969
I agree with diver58.  I wouldn't analyze your symptoms as that is not really helpful.  The only way a doctor determines if you have HIV is to test you.  AT 28 days and beyond, you can get an accurate result with a DUO test.  Since you had unprotected sex even if brief, you do need to go ahead and test.  It sounds like this was a month ago, so you should be able to go test now if it is past 28 days.  And important to note that HIV transmission from a one time intercourse encounter is less than 2 percent. Very rare to get HIV from a one time exposure like you describe.  So, go test and expect it to be negative.
Helpful - 0
20620809 tn?1504362969
I agree with diver58.  I wouldn't analyze your symptoms as that is not really helpful.  The only way a doctor determines if you have HIV is to test you.  AT 28 days and beyond, you can get an accurate result with a DUO test.  Since you had unprotected sex even if brief, you do need to go ahead and test.  It sounds like this was a month ago, so you should be able to go test now if it is past 28 days.  And important to note that HIV transmission from a one time intercourse encounter is less than 2 percent. Very rare to get HIV from a one time exposure like you describe.  So, go test and expect it to be negative.
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366749 tn?1544695265
COMMUNITY LEADER
Symptoms have nothing to do with HIV diagnostics. In fact, symptoms are often misleading and confusing because

i) HIV related symptoms are similar to those, due to common infections
ii) Many actually infected individuals remain 100% asymptomatic

Since you were exposed to the risk, through unprotected contact, suggest to get yourself tested for HIV Combo, any time now, collect your conclusive report, rule out the possibility and move on with your life normally
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