HIV Questions for Health Nurse

deen456

New member
Nov 30, 2007
1
0
0
Hi Health Nurse,

I just had a few questions for you.

I've been experiencing a number of unusual symptoms lately, namely fatigue/weakness, muscle aches, and cold chills. The cold chills namely, my cold sensitivity is very high, and my hands/feet always seem to be cold.

I haven't had a fever, rash, sore throat, night sweats, diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes, or any other symptoms of typical ARS. Would my symptoms be considered of concern for ARS? I've had weakness/fatigue, cold chills, and a few muscle aches for about 10 days now, and it hasn't gotten better. I know the flu or other viral illnesses like the common cold usually goes away after at most, a week. And I've read that ARS symptoms can last upwards to 2-4 weeks, which is why I'm very concerned right now that they may be ARS, since the flu/cold or any viral infection would've gotten better by now.

My last encounter was protected vaginal and unprotected oral 5 weeks ago. My symptoms started about 9-10 days ago, so almost 4 weeks after exposure. I am uncircumcized. I'm very scared of contracting HIV.

Also, what is the soonest that I can enter into the symptomatic lowered immune phase of HIV? I've only had protected vaginal/unprotected oral before, and the condom has never broken. I just feel like my immune system has completely died on me lately, which causes concern that I may have contracted HIV earlier, if it's not ARS symptoms I'm experiencing right now.

If my first time having sex (ever) was about 2 months ago, is it possible for me to have entered lowered immune phase of HIV 2 months after exposure? How soon can one enter the symptomatic HIV or AIDS phase after infection?

Thanks so much.
 

Health Nurse

Supporting Member
Nov 24, 2004
894
4
0
Hi Health Nurse,

I just had a few questions for you.

I`ve been experiencing a number of unusual symptoms lately, namely fatigue/weakness, muscle aches, and cold chills. The cold chills namely, my cold sensitivity is very high, and my hands/feet always seem to be cold.

I haven`t had a fever, rash, sore throat, night sweats, diarrhea, swollen lymph nodes, or any other symptoms of typical ARS. Would my symptoms be considered of concern for ARS? I`ve had weakness/fatigue, cold chills, and a few muscle aches for about 10 days now, and it hasn`t gotten better. I know the flu or other viral illnesses like the common cold usually goes away after at most, a week. And I`ve read that ARS symptoms can last upwards to 2-4 weeks, which is why I`m very concerned right now that they may be ARS, since the flu/cold or any viral infection would`ve gotten better by now.

My last encounter was protected vaginal and unprotected oral 5 weeks ago. My symptoms started about 9-10 days ago, so almost 4 weeks after exposure. I am uncircumcized. I`m very scared of contracting HIV.

Also, what is the soonest that I can enter into the symptomatic lowered immune phase of HIV? I`ve only had protected vaginal/unprotected oral before, and the condom has never broken. I just feel like my immune system has completely died on me lately, which causes concern that I may have contracted HIV earlier, if it`s not ARS symptoms I`m experiencing right now.

If my first time having sex (ever) was about 2 months ago, is it possible for me to have entered lowered immune phase of HIV 2 months after exposure? How soon can one enter the symptomatic HIV or AIDS phase after infection?

Thanks so much.


Hi deen 456

It appears that you are experiencing a great deal of stress at the moment. HIV can certainly be a big concern and cause a lot of anxiety.

I would suggest that you come to one of our clinics or visit your family doctor for a STI/HIV test.

ARS(acute retroviral syndrome) is also referred to as HIV seroconversion illness. It is a name given to a group of symptoms that can occur when someone is newly infected with HIV.

Here is a link for more information on seroconversion illness.
http://www.stdresource.com/disease/index.php?page=edit&id=5&action=viewfull

Some of these symptoms can be:
Fever
Rash
Swollen lymph nodes
Felling tired or lack of energy
Joint or muscle pain

It is very common for me to see people in the clinic with these symptoms. The problem is that these are general symptoms that can be present with any viral infection. Usually I tell people not to concentrate on the symptoms at all and just pay attention to the HIV blood test result. If you have a negative HIV test 3 months after you had sex you did not contract HIV.

It is very common for people to have a number of those symptoms especially during this time of the year (flu season). You can cause yourself a great deal of stress if you just look at the symptoms. Just use it as a reminder that you should come in for testing.

Given the risk you explained you would be considered a low risk for HIV infection. Infections like syphilis, gonorrhea and Chlamydia can be transmitted via unprotected oral (BBBJ). So it would be a good idea to get a full STI/HIV test. A negative HIV test would give you great peace of mind.

Here is a link we did on getting tested.
https://perb.cc/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=41576


As a general guide we usually say that without treatment about half of HIV positive people will develop AIDS within 10 years of being infected. Given this I think it is highly unlikely that you would develop AIDS within 2 months.

Does this answer your question?

You can always send a pm if you want.


HN
www.stdresource.com
 
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