Does HIV symptoms persist?

[Overmistakes24]

I have experienced some HIV symptoms such as a cold, skin bumps, and body pain. I also have been having some vaginal pain. I did not get these symptoms within 2-4 weeks after my unprotected sex encounter. They appeared 7-8 weeks after. The cold lasted for 2-3 weeks, and I still have skin bumps, body and vaginal pain. It has been three months. Does early HIV symptoms persist for this long? I have a doctors appointment Thursday and I am very scared.

[Chima7]

Exactly what Rubywitch said. Testing is recommended when an actual risk occurred. Any HIV specialists would tell you that the only way they can make an official diagnosis is to first determine whether there was any risk in the first place and secondly what are the results of the HIV test. No doctor would ever diagnose HIV solely on symptoms alone which is why they are not relevant to the risk assessment.

[bec1118]

7-8 weeks from sex encounter to get ars would be very unusual . also ars is typically 2-4 weeks duration. i would bite the bullet and go get tested again you will be glad you did. we all want to read into our symptoms and people telling you on here that his is never diagnosed by symptoms is not really encouraging you to go get tested, they are repeating what is all over the internet. so bite the bullet go get tested and play safe.

[RubyWitch]

becazican..........telling this poster the TRUTH that HIV is never diagnosed by symptoms..........which IS all over the internet because it's TRUE.......... is NOT the same as telling him he SHOULDN'T test. We are telling him he SHOULD test based on THE RISK........NOT THE SYMPTOMS.

[RubyWitch]

HIV is NEVER diagnosed by symptoms! EVER. Only a blood drawn test specifically for HIV can detect it. Since it has been 3 months since your encounter, any test you have done next week will be conclusive. (As long as you haven't had unprotected sex in the interim)
Make sure your doctor also does a full STD panel.

I wish you the very best outcome.
RubyWitch