Expert: Kristen Brannock, MPH - 7/13/2004

Question
Hi,
I am a young bisexual male.  Recently, I had a sexual encounter with another male (hiv status unknown) involving a broken condom during anal sex (I was the top).  In less than 48 hours, I developed several symptom of ARS - including a moderate fever and an extremely sore throat.  The second night after the incident I had sweats and I also had swollen glands in my neck 3 days after.  Everything I have read says ARS usually appears 2-4 WEEKS after exposure and perhaps as early as 5 days after.  Is it  possible (or likely) for my symptoms to be hiv-related?  

Answer
It is possible because the numbers given in reports are only averages and sometimes people dont fall into the range. However, that is not to say you have HIV. I would suggest being tested though or talking to your last partner to see if he has been tested recently. If you are still having symptoms, you can go to the doctor to see if something else is causing them-it could be bacteria or other virus that is making you sick.