Hi,

New member here.

I engaged in M2M activity recently and am aware of the HIV exposure symptoms - flu like characteristics, diarrhea, skin rash, fatigue, etc. What ORDER do these symptoms occur in or do they occur simultaneously? I would appreciate ANY feedback. Worried, of course, but preparing myself mentally for the worst!

Well, typically "symptoms" of HIV + contact don't fall into any set pattern as you imply. In other words, you don't first get a rash, then diarrhea, then night sweats, etc.
What you need to know is that it is possible that you will not develop any initial symptoms to indicate your HIV status. The only way to know for sure is to be tested and is seems as though one sero-converts within three months after contact. Anything that you see on the internet may just make you crazy so, please don't use the internet as your resource. Can you elaborate on the M2M behaviors that make you suspicious? chris

To elaborate, cflas - oral sex ('received and took' as is) and anal sex ('received' with condom)

Oral sex is pretty low risk, and since you've used a condom w/intercourse,the odds are in your favor. I've read before that, in general, symptoms will be experienced at one time, as one illness. I'm not sure though, if they can occur hours seperate of each other, I just know for sure that it's usually not more then days. But, as Chris said, testing is the only way to know for sure, and since you're here, it looks as though it's bothering you, so my only suggestion is to get tested. And we'll be here for the whole thing...Best of luck

Hiv in reality has absolutely no set symtoms at all .
It attacts the immune system and every ones immune system responds differently .
It can be anything or nothing at all .
Hiv mimics other viruses and even some bacterial infections .
That what hiv does ...... It mimics or hides
Meaning that there can be no symtoms at all for very many years .
In reality many people have absolutely no clue at all that they are in fact infected with hiv and carry it for many years ( not knowing ) until they develope pneumonia or some kind of strange illness caused by a weakind immune system that would cause them to test and find out they are almost at the point of full blown AIDS .
My best advice to you is
1) don't look to the internet to self diagnose because you're mind will either relate to what you read or create the symtoms itself.
( BECAUSE WHEN YOU'RE FREAKED OUT EVERYTHING AND I MEAN EVERYTHING WILL MOST CERTAINLY BE A SYMTOM )
2) stay away from hiv+ to doctor forums because they will only scare the hell out of you or any1 else that reads them .
3) if you feel you have been exposed to hiv then you should test ( NO LESS ) than 3 months and if you're still worried then again at 6 months just to put you're mind to rest once and for all .
An average person with a normal immune system will show positive or negative at 3 months .
If you have a damaged or some kind of immuno-surpressed problem ......
For example ...........
NEEDLE SHOOTING
CANCER
LEAUKIMIA
ORGAN DONER RECIPIANT ( BECAUSE OF IMMUNE SURPRESSING MEDICATIONS)
OR AN IMMUNE DISORDER .
Then you should certainly test at 6 months to 1 year after any possible exposure .
Don't look for symtoms ...............
In good health ..............
................ Lost Spirit ...................

Thanks for all your comments. And I look forward to other feedback. Thanks again!