I would really appreciate people taking the time to read this and offer some advice.
Four months ago I had unprotected vaginal and oral (both giving and receiving) sex with my friend of several years. Just prior to this she had broken up with her boyfriend of five years who as it turned out had cheated on her numerous times. Exactly one month since sleeping together I had a painful ulcer at the side of my tongue that went in a few days. I didn't think anything of it since I've had them and cold sores before and I had recently gone through what I would consider a traumatic and stressful event about 3 weeks prior which I had heard can trigger them.
A week later, about 40 days since we slept together I had the sudden onset of a fever. This lasted for a few hours. I wasn't able to cool down and had to strip down to my tshirt even though it was late October and pretty cold. After that I felt a bit nauseous but well enough to go out for some drinks. Over the next few days I felt pretty bad but I had cleared up by the end of the week.
I live in Ireland and in October approximately 7,000 people a week were being diagnosed with Swine Flu. This is why I thought nothing of it at the time but neither my mother or sister who I live with contracted it after I had it nor did anyone who I was drinking with, although one of them had possibly had it a week or two before. This has got me thinking that what I experienced was more likely to be ARS than Swine Flu.
Yes, I'm going to get tested soon but I am just so terrified and would appreciate any comments to calm my fears.
You were unwell but not particularly so and certainly if you could go out for drinks then I think the illness was actually fairly minor. That said, I understand your anxiety about this.
Characteristically, ARS will give a very high temperature (and drinks not usually on the menu); a very sore throat and also a whole body rash. Clearly, new HIV infection can present differently but there is a certain consistency with the above symptoms and unfortunately we have lots of experience of new HIV infections at Freedomhealth so we are very used to it. I think you should have an HIV test to put your mind to rest but I would be surprised if you were to be HIV positive.
You most likely had a very mild flu like illness or a bad cold.
In the UK we also made lots of diagnoses of swine flu but there is considerable suspicion that many of these were not correct as they were done without examination or testing.
I can't remember if I had a sore throat. If I recall correctly the day after the fever I had a general feeling of fatigue and unwellness similar to any bad cold I've had before. Nothing particularly memorable about it for me although I did spend the next few days lying on the couch. Does the fever that accompanies ARS usually last for several days rather than just a few hours?
I got a full STD/HIV test today. Unfortunately I may have to wait up to two weeks for the results. The doctors opinion pretty much mirrors yours. Jumping to the conclusion of ARS due to a bad cold or flu at a time when many people were quite ill and a mouth ulcer after a stressful period in someone who has them every couple of months is a bit much. In short, he really didn't commend my decision to trawl the internet comparing symptoms.
I'm very happy that I went and got tested. It has certainly made me feel a little bit more reassured as has your advice.
Hello,
I am going to answer your question, if you don't mind. Yes, indeed. ARS symptoms, including the fever, would last several days, typically 7-10 days.
Best wishes,
Jose
Terrified: ARS or Swine Flu?
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