Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

STD Exposure

I recently had unprotected sex with a sex worker while traveling to a developing country for business.  I've been diagnosed with gonorrhea, which I am being treated for.  However, I'm also concerned about having contracted other STDs.  Two days after the contact I was tested for HIV and syphilis.  The tests were negative.  Three days after contact I came down with a fever, chills, fatigue and sore throat.  On that same day I was given an antibiotic.  In less than 24 hours I felt almost normal.  Subsequently I had a discharge from my penis that was attributed to gonorrhea.  I was injected with antibiotics to combat the gonorrhea.  

My questions are: 1. Is it possible that the sickness I described is acute retroviral syndrome?  If it was, than shouldn't I have tested positive for HIV?, 2. I've read that an HIV test 3 weeks after contact should give you a good (though not definitive) result.  Is this correct?  As you can imagine I'm eager to get answers as soon as possible.  Would a test after 2 weeks provide any meaning indication either way?

Thank you in advance.  
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Thank you, Doctor.  This is very helpful.  I have one last question.  What is the name of the "early detection" test?  I've seen something called "PCR RNA NAAT" and something that appears to be a different test called "RNA NAAT".  I just want to make sure I get the correct text done.
Helpful - 0
1024580 tn?1331574121
Hello,
Thank you for your post .  Here are your answers:
1. Is it possible that the sickness I described is acute retroviral syndrome?  If it was, than shouldn't I have tested positive for HIV?,
IT IS FAR TOO EARLY TO GET SYMPTOMS AS THEY NORMALLY TAKE AT LEAST TWO WEEKS TO APPEAR.  HAING TESTED NEGATIVE WOULD CONFIRM THAT THE SYMPTOMS ARE NOT ARS RELATED.
2. I've read that an HIV test 3 weeks after contact should give you a good (though not definitive) result.  Is this correct?  YES, THAT IS CORRECT.  As you can imagine I'm eager to get answers as soon as possible.  Would a test after 2 weeks provide any meaning indication either way?
THE P24 ANTIGEN CAN BE DETECTABLE ALREADY AFTER 2 WEEKS.  THEREFORE IT IS A HIGHLY REASSURING TEST RESULT, BUT YOU SHOULD HAVE IT REPEATED AFTER 4 WEEKS.
Best wishes,
Dr José
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the STDs - International Forum

Popular Resources
Herpes spreads by oral, vaginal and anal sex.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.
STIs are the most common cause of genital sores.
Millions of people are diagnosed with STDs in the U.S. each year.
STDs can't be transmitted by casual contact, like hugging or touching.
Syphilis is an STD that is transmitted by oral, genital and anal sex.