Exposed and concerned

[FH2008]

Hi there,

I (female) had unprotected sex twice with a heterosexual male a week ago. Judging from what I read in this forum, he's not at high risk himself (not a drug user, not bi), but he is quite promiscuous and I know too little about his background to be assured. I am going to get tested, but unfortunately am in a country where there is no such thing as an anonymous test and the stigma is incredibly high, so I can only get tested when I travel abroad in a few weeks.

In the meantime I am getting anxious about a rash I developed three days after the exposure. It looks like a bad case of eczema and is found on my left arm, thighs and feet and is somewhat itchy. I got a mild cold (sore throat, coughing) at the same time but no fever or swollen glands. I want to get your opinion on whether these resemble ARS symptoms at all, even though I know that symptoms are not reliable indicators. It'd still help to hear what you think as I anxiously wait for my travels (and test). Thank you very much for your help.

[rockash]

Let this be an important lesson and always use a latex condom my friend as you never know about the person by his looks or his activity he has engaged in. :)

[FH2008]

Thanks very much, neverevergain. It was a serious lapse in judgment and what I'm going through is pretty sobering. I can't wait to get a definitive result either way; not knowing is the worst...

So it's true that fever is a key part of ARS? That would be more reassuring, but to be honest this rash is worse than my usual eczema and also more diffuse, so it's really concerning me. Thanks again for your kind reply...

[Nevereveragain]

First of all 3 days would be too early. And as far as I know the rash caused by HIV is normally found on the trunk, not on the lower extremities. And ARS without fever almost never occurs. Well, sore throat... Who doesn't get a sore throat from time to time? Especially in winter.

So don't worry too much. Your risk is not very high and your symptoms don't sound like ARS. Just get tested in 12 weeks for a conclusive result (you can also do a first test after 6 weeks which is pretty much reliable) and use condoms in future.