Worried about ARS

[mary5213]

Hello, I had unprotected sex with a male friend of mine once about 6 1/2-7 weeks ago. I know in the past he had injected drugs but has not for quite a while. Last week I felt like I was coming down with the same cold that the rest of the family has (sore throat, muscle aches, cough, nasal discharge, swollen lymph nodes, fever). I have had this about a week and the whole time have been driving myself crazy worrying about contracting HIV because of his past history with drug use, and a sexual history with at least one other girl that uses (not sure if she injected drugs or not). The cough is still hanging on, but so is the sore throat and the fever every day, ~99.2 - 100.9 degrees. I have also woken up two nights in a row with night sweats, but don't know if thats because of the anxiety I'm causing myself worrying about this. I know everyone says not to worry about the symptoms, the test is the only way you'll get a definite answer. I'm testing in two weeks, the soonest they could get me in. Does this sound like it could be ARS related? Coming at the same time as a cold/flu? Or does it sound more like the symptoms are related to the actual illness instead of HIV? Just need some opinions before I worry myself crazy. Thanks.

[mary5213]

Rapid Test was negative.

Lessons learned: Don't look up symptoms on the internet & never underestimate the power of prayer.

Thanks everyone.

[mike_no]

Great, keep us posted on your result. Told you before, your result at this juncture will be very unlikely to change ahead. Do take a final one at the 12th week but the end result wouldn't change, I promise. You will be in my thoughts.

Symptoms? Both of them are a quick pick out of the list that 'anxiety symptoms' read.

Good Luck.

[Vance2335]

3 month antibody test is conclusive.

[mary5213]

Found a different clinic where I'll be testing tomorrow.

More night sweats last night and body aches today...these aren't helping me worry any less!

[mike_no]

I can only tell you that the symptoms that you describe seems to be more of anxiety related, I think you could take a test at this juncture, that will really help you in calming your nerves because a test now will be very indicative. 12 weeks is conclusive but your result at the 7th week mark is highly unlikely to change.

[mary5213]

I questioned whether or not I had possibly come in contact with HIV before I got sick, I just read too much about ARS when I was initially worried about it that I started finding all these matching symptoms when I got this bug. It seems like everyone elses colds/flu has gone away but mines still sticking around. No one else has woken up drenched from a night sweat either.

[Vance2335]

So the rest of your family has this cold, and you question ARS...don't let your mind play with you. It has nothing to do with ARS for several reasons.

Test at 3 months for a conclusive result.