Please help

[blackcloud1]

First off, you all do a great service providing support and advice to those of us with concerns. 

26 days ago I had sex with a prostitute and the condom broke. I was only unprotected for a few minutes before I noticed. 

A few days afterwards I began feeling lethargic and had a fever of 102.5. The fever only last one night. For the last few weeks I've had muscle aches, felt lethargic and have had some canker sores in my mouth (which I get from time to time). Also, various parts of my body are itchy but I don't see any real rash. 

Today I had an oraquick oral swab rapid test which came up negative. 

Questions:
1) how accurate is this test at this time period?
2) do these sound like early HIV symptoms?
3) should I be retested at 3 months

Thanks so much. 

[Teak]

Symptoms or lack of will never tell you anything about your status. If one as ARS symptoms they (multiple) come all at once and leave all at once.

[blackcloud1]

Thanks. The fever, rash & sore throat are usually tied together right? meaning just one or two isn't necessarily indicative ?

[Vance2335]

If one gets symptoms the most likely is fever, rash, soar throat and yes the rash is not random itching. And yes 2-4 weeks is when it comes on.

I don't see how NYC doesn't have a DUO test, they must. But as Teak said just an antibody test at 3 months is what you need.

[blackcloud1]

Thanks. I'm in NYC so no access to DUO.

90% accuracy at that time period? Also, the fever (after 2-4 weeks) almost always occurs right?  Also, I'd imagine if this were ARS the rash would' be obvious, not just random itching -right?

[Teak]

DUO tests are expensive and being your at 26 days you would not benefit by a DUO test. You can take an antibody test and if it is negative your conclusive teat at 3 months post exposure.

[RainLover71]

Had you taken an HIV DUO test at that time you would have been just about home,the test you had is about 90% reliable at this time.To adhere with official guidelines have your final test at 3 months.

[PBF410]

Don't worry about the symptoms. Having a fever a few days later means nothing because that would be too early for ARS. Also, if you had already seroconverted and were experiencing symptoms, your test would have likely come back positive.

[LIZZIE LOU]

ars comes at 2-4 weeks post exposure and last for 1-2 weeks.

symptoms come at once...not one after another, week after week.

[blackcloud1]

Great. Thanks guys. Do my symptoms sound HIV related?

[PBF410]

It is definitely a good sign that it was negative at 26 days but to be completely sure you would need the test again at 3 months. People seroconvert at different times so it depends on the individual person. Very unlikely that you will test positive though.

[Zoom1012]

These tests nowadays are highly sensitive now. Take the advice of your doctor. He's the expert.

Take care!

[blackcloud1]

Thanks for your response. I was told by the doctor administering the test that it's "pretty reliable" at this time period. Is that not accurate?

[Teak]

1. You can obtain your conclusive test result 3 months post exposure.
2. No.
3. Yes that is the only way you are going to obtain your conclusive test results.