Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2004. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.


Question:

Hi,
I wanted to get your opinion on my situation as described below...

I'm a male, and a female commercial sex worker performed oral sex on me. I did use a condom, but apparently she was a bit rough and the urethral opening was red/irritated for many days after the exposure (I think the condom was still intact).

However, 3.5 days post exposure, I got a rash on my left forearm (small lesions erythmatous maculopapular and did not itch). These lesions started fading by day 6 but are still slightly visible (it is currently day 8 post exposure). In addition, at the same time of the rash, I developed aching pains in certain joints/muscles which are still continuing. In addition, also have a mildly sore throat as well as periods where I feel malaise.

Do you think it is possible that I contracted HIV? I thought one could not get HIV from receiving oral sex! Also, would ARS symptoms appear so soon after potential exposure? And finally, can you describe the ARS rash in more detail - eg what does it look like, where is it located, how long does it last, does it just suddenly disappear or fade gradually?
Thanks

Answer provided by:

Lisa Capaldini, M.D.
Internal Medicine


It sounds like some sort of illness affected you after your sexual encounter, and your symptoms and their timing are NOT characteristic of acute HIV infection. The rash with HIV infection using starts on the trunk; it, like the other symptoms of acute HIV infection, usually start 7-14 days after HIV exposure; and the risk of HIV transmission from oral sex is low, although not zero. Sore throat is a symptom of many conditions, including non-HIV STD's (chlamydia, gonorrhea),and, most commonly, viral upper respiratory infections.

Based on the timing and type of symptoms you report you need not worry about HIV; it might be worthwhile to review your sexual practices with a medical practitioner to see if you should be tested for any other conditions.

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