I will try to keep this as short as possible.... My bf and I have been together for 6 years. We spilt up for about a month and after he came back home I found out that he had sex with another girl (twice). About three weeks after he came home I started breaking out in hives. I went to the doc and was tested. HIV was neg, but I was pos for herpes. The doc said that the test wasn't specific for type 1 or 2 and since my bf has cold sores he said that it could be herpes-1, but they aren't sure. (but my bf and I haven't had clinical symptoms of genital herpes) I was still breaking out in hives about 1 1/2 months later so I got tested again. HIV was neg! I was tested for other autoimmune diseases that can cause hives and they were all neg. I am just really worried. A few days ago I started getting a sore throat, not severe but it is sore. I also think that my axillary lymph nodes could be swollen, I can't really feel them but I am kinda sore. I know that you can't diagnose HIV by symptoms but I am still concerned!! Does anyone know if hives could be a symptom of HIV. I know that you can get a rash, but would it last for this long? I am in the medical field, but not an expert on HIV. I know that hives are an allergic reaction, but you can have such reactions with viruses. When I had my blood work done, my doc said that my varicella zoster levels were elevated (shingles) but I never had clinical symptoms of shingles. I know that this was probably caused by stress! Anyway, if anyone can give me any insight on my situation I would greatly appreciate it, thanks.
Does anyone know if I was recently infected with herpes if it would increase the window period?
K

Hey, welcome :) I think I read your case on another web site maybe?It sounds familiar. Well, anyway the hives could be caused by worry, thats for sure, and none of what you have said would affect your window period. It sounds to me you are ok, but I know the waiting is hard! Keep posting here with any of your questions.

Im not sure how long you've tested after the experience, but if it was more then three months , i would bet on a neg result for your 6 mo. If it were an ars rash, it would more likely then not, appear on one occassion, and then you would start replicating and whatnot and symptoms would be dormant for awhile. With ARS, all the symptoms come at one time, and it's usually 3-6 weeks after your encounter, and 90% of people who experience ARS remember having a fever as well. Best of luck
-S-