About 25 days ago I performed unprotected sex on a man of unknown HIV status. There was no ejaculation in my mouth. I am concerned about my risk of contracting HIV. For about a week and a half before the incident I was having really bad sinus issues (stuffed-up and a runny nose as well), then the next day after the unprotected incident, I had swolen lymph nodes in my neck. A few days later I went to the doctor and I was diagnosed with acute sinusitis (sinus infection). the docotr put me on Augmentin (penicillin derivitive) antibiotic for 10 days. After the ten days were complete, my sinus problems were corrected and lymph nodes went down, but I got a very itchy rash all over my body. Then I went back to the doctor 5 days later because I had a severe sore throat (upper area, not lower) and because I had the rash (it was almost gone by that point). The doctor had me tested for Mono and 2 other bacterial infections and they all came out negative. there is one problem, my blood work showed that I had a really high white blood cell count. My doctor guessed that it was a bacterial infection and he placed me on another 10 day antibiotic. My symptoms have since cleared up. I was wondering if someone did indeed have Acute Retroviral Sendrome if the symptoms would go away becuase of an antibiotic? I know that HIV is a virus and that it can't be treated with an antibiotic, so would the symptoms of ARS discipate because of an antibiotic? Thank you.

I highly doubt symptoms of ARS would go away because of antibiotics. ARS symptoms appear 2-4 weeks after initial infection, and even then, they don't occur in everyone.

Of course, trying to diagnose HIV based on symptoms does not work. I answer this question it seems like once a day. The symptoms of initial HIV infection are so vague and broad and sporadic that really, they could be just about anything. Anything can make your lymph nodes swell up, colds, infections, mono, cancer, pretty much any infection of any type can cause your lymph nodes to swell up.

Now, your rash, just like your lymph nodes, can be caused by a variety of things. Typically, the rash associated with HIV, from what I've read, usually occurs on the upper body, and is typically not itchy or painful. Of course, that's from reading people's experiences with it, so don't take that as the gospel.

You need to get tested if you are worried, plain and simple. That is the only way to know for sure if you are positive or not.

So, it is a good sign that the antibiotics are working because it means that the infection was bacterial like the doctor stated? Also, what is the chance of transmission from un-protected receptive fellatio? Would the white blood cell count be high during the time the virus is establishing itself in the body?
I would really appreciate it if you could give me some answers on the subject.
Thanks.

I can't think tonight, extremely tired, but I promise to answer your question tomorrow/later when I wake up.
Sorry D=

The risk from oral sex is always very low, I can't give you a statistic, but according to the CDC, it is very low. If no ejaculation occured as you said, then there's really no way transmission could've occured. Typically, when one is initially infected with HIV, there is a brief period of time where white blood cell count is very low. This is when the virus is rapidly multiplying. After a week or so, your white blood cell count goes back to normal. During this period is when the symptoms of ARS typically show themselves, but remember, not everyone gets symptoms. The only way to know is to get tested.

I talked to the man this afternoon and he said that he was tested 2 months ago and that it was negative. He says that he has had only 1 partner for intercourse and that it was protected. I think that I can trust him, seeing as how he is the little brother of my big sister's best friend. I am still just a little nervous, but less than before. It is still too early to test seeing as how it is coming up on a month since the possible exposure. What is the percent of accuracy for a month test? I am really nervous about going to get tested.

If I were in your position, I probably wouldn't even get tested. HIV just really isn't spread in such a manner. Now, I highly recommend that you DO get tested, only because that's the only way to calm your nerves about this. Modern day tests are incredibly accurate. The CDC now says its perfectly fine for you to go get tested just weeks after your potential exposure. A month will be fine. If you're skeptical, go again in 3 months or so, however, I really wouldn't even bother. If your first one comes up negative, then you are negative. Of course, you should ask all these questions to your doctor just to be sure, as there are different kinds of tests out there. But remember, all tests are incredibly accurate whether they be blood, saliva, etc. They are all equally accurate.

Getting tested can be nerve wracking, but let's face it, it's a lot better than going the next 10 years worrying and losing sleep over something that's not even there.

I'm sure you'll be ok. If your anxiety persists after getting tested, I would recommend that you see a counselor. It seems like many people, even after getting multiple negatives, just cannot grasp the fact that they truly are negative, and should this turn out to be the case for you (I hope it doesn't, one test will be fine) I recommend getting counseling.

Don't worry about it and just keep telling yourself that there's really no way transmission couldn't have happened.

Hi . I had unprotected oral sex from an unknown female in West Africa (sounds crazy and believe me my experience since then will confirm it).
After 10 days I developed what was like herpes on the left side of my torso, I got this checked out by a western doctor and they simply said it was due to stress. I had since my encounter being researching the internet in HIV and the most recent data is that it can be contracted by oral sex. I was in such a state, panicking even thinking of suicide. I really suffered emotionally for 3 months and then finished my mission in Africa to go back to a western country. I am married and after 3 days at home broke down with my wife and confessed all.....I went for a HIV test and was tested for HIV Subtype 1 and 2, results returned were NEGATIVE. The relief was huge and I can state that the symptoms I had were all realted to stress. I was in such an emotional vacuum that the tole on my body was huge. Since I have been back in Africa I have again been stressed but the relief of having being negative helps me daily. I will be restested again in 3 months time to really make sure that there are no antibodies at all. Hope this helps anyone but Orla Sex is a method of transmission in very rare cases so be careful

Hi . I had unprotected oral sex from an unknown female in West Africa (sounds crazy and believe me my experience since then will confirm it).
After 10 days I developed what was like herpes on the left side of my torso, I got this checked out by a western doctor and they simply said it was due to stress. I had since my encounter being researching the internet in HIV and the most recent data is that it can be contracted by oral sex. I was in such a state, panicking even thinking of suicide. I really suffered emotionally for 3 months and then finished my mission in Africa to go back to a western country. I am married and after 3 days at home broke down with my wife and confessed all.....I went for a HIV test and was tested for HIV Subtype 1 and 2, results returned were NEGATIVE. The relief was huge and I can state that the symptoms I had were all realted to stress. I was in such an emotional vacuum that the tole on my body was huge. Since I have been back in Africa I have again been stressed but the relief of having being negative helps me daily. I will be restested again in 3 months time to really make sure that there are no antibodies at all. Hope this helps anyone but Orla Sex is a method of transmission in very rare cases so be careful

You're sort of right, there have been cases of oral transmission, but there is either blood or semen involved, and in this case, there was neither. Transmission in this way is rare, and unless this person has cuts on the inside of their mouth, and blood/semen is present, there isn't anyway for transmission to occur. Even when semen and or blood is present, transmission is very rare.

I don't believe I said that oral sex wasn't a mode of transmission, because it is, I simply said it's very low and only a few cases have ever been reported.

However, in this case, I firmly believe there was no way for transmission to have occured.