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Stress or HIV ARS?

Hello,

I have been having some very strange alarming symptoms over the past few weeks following a vaginal sex exposure which was unprotected. This happened one time and it was a brief encounter with no ejaculation. About 3 weeks after the encounter, I started spotting. That lasted 4 days. Then I developed a yeast infection. A week and a half later I woke up with a severe neck and back ache and had a one day bout with diarrhea. I was also a little light headed and didn't really have an appetite but I was able to eat anyway. I'd say I didn't really feel sick like a cold or flu but just very achy. I had to lay on a heating pad for days to help relieve the pain. Realistically, Could this all be stress induced? Or does it sound like seroconversion? There was no fever, rash, sore throat, cough, night sweats, swollen glands from what I could tell, fatigue or anything but the back ache just came from out of nowhere and lasted for like 4 days. Also, my breast have been very sore and ive missed my cycle this month. I took a pregnancy test which was negative. Im freaking out. I read that these sorts of changes can be due to hiv infection. I feel like a fool for making such a big mistake. Has anyone ever experienced all of this and its not hiv?
4 Responses
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20620809 tn?1504362969
Ignore the symptoms as they are not how HIV is evaluated. Only tests are used for that purpose and you can take one at 28 days.  Remember, a one time unprotected sex exposure is still VERY low risk at around 1 percent.  So, don't overly worry but test. And don't monitor these symptoms as they are due to other things, HIV is not diagnosed that way.
Helpful - 0
5 Comments
Thank you for commenting. I hope I'm not so unlucky to be in the 1%. If you all want to know I'll respond with the results.
No need to post your test results. Many people test.
Ok.
Your chances aren't even 1%.  For a one-time vaginal encounter, the odds are 0.08 percent, which equates to a 99.92% of being negative - and that is only IF your partner was HIV+ to begin with, and most people don't have HIV.   Your odds of being HIV+ are astronomically low.
Sounds like the odds are in my favor. Thank you all so much for commenting. It has really helped with my anxiety. I pray that all will be ok!
Avatar universal
Not commenting on any of the advice above, but just saying, it might be the spotting was just you having your period, as most of the symptoms you describe accord with having one.  
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Not sure.
Avatar universal
Doctors can't diagnose from symptoms so no one here pays attention to them. Therefore, you shouldn't either. Take a duo test after 4 weeks for a conclusive result instead. Or you can take any test after 12. Nothing is pointing towards you having hiv so try to stop thinking that something is, while you wait for test results.
Helpful - 0
2 Comments
I guess the test is the only way to find out so I'll go ahead and be a big girl and take it. Thanks for responding.
Good to hear that you realize the test is the answer. Try not to worry while you wait.
3191940 tn?1447268717
COMMUNITY LEADER
None of these are specific to ARS symptoms. As far as anyone else experiencing a host of "symptoms" and testing negative, this forum is chock full of people who had low risk (as you did) or no risk, and believe that they are riddled with ARS or HIV symptoms and are HIV-negative.

It sounds like you can test any time now for your conclusive result - any time 28 days or more after your encounter.
Helpful - 0
1 Comments
Thank you.
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