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Does Stiff Neck, Dizziness And Chest Pain Indicate ARS?
Question: Hello. I am a female and I engaged in unprotected sex with a male of unknown status on XXXXXXX 10th. Mid September I started experiencing diarrhea and then nothing. Late September I noticed my lymph node in my neck was swollen I started to have muscle aches only in my arms and then I went to the hospital because I was concerned I was told viral infection. Now in October I have a stiff neck for 2 days. I feel dizzy sometimes and my chest hurts. Is this ARS I am experiencing?
Brief Answer:
Unlikely to be ARS
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day
Dear Ms XXXXXXX
Dizziness and chest pain are not the usual symptoms of ARS. They are more likely to be due to anxiety and stress and very much less likely to be due to ARS(Acute Retroviral Syndrome).
ARS usually leads to generalised lymph node enlargement and generalised body ache. The symptoms fit more with non specific viral infection.
In view of the history of unprotected sexual encounter, I would recommend you to get baseline HIV testing done.(it is the surest way to rule out HIV infection) Negative test will be reassuring.
Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you
Take Care
Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kaltari
Consultant Surgeon
Unlikely to be ARS
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day
Dear Ms XXXXXXX
Dizziness and chest pain are not the usual symptoms of ARS. They are more likely to be due to anxiety and stress and very much less likely to be due to ARS(Acute Retroviral Syndrome).
ARS usually leads to generalised lymph node enlargement and generalised body ache. The symptoms fit more with non specific viral infection.
In view of the history of unprotected sexual encounter, I would recommend you to get baseline HIV testing done.(it is the surest way to rule out HIV infection) Negative test will be reassuring.
Do get back to me if you need any further assistance, will be glad to assist you
Take Care
Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kaltari
Consultant Surgeon
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Well I have had aches all over. Does that make it ARS. Do the symptoms come all at once or one by one. Can you be a little more detailed
Brief Answer:
These symptoms not specific to ARS
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The symptoms may be superimposed and also occur in isolation. Generalized body ache or myalgia can also be seen in non specific viral infection.
ARS usually starts 3 to 4 weeks after having contracted HIV. It usually begins with Sore throat associated with Generalised lymph node enlargement (other than neck there is also enlargement of node in axilla and groin ).
This is often followed by low grade fever.
Other manifestation could be
1. Mild rash
2. Oral ulcers
As these symptoms can also be seen in other illness. None of the symptoms are diagnostic or specific to ARS.
It will require ELISA test to rule out .
Getting ELISA 1 and 2 test done is the surest way to rule it . ( As the exposure has been more than 3 months old Serological windows period will not affect the accuracy of test )
Take care
Best regards
Dr Deepak
These symptoms not specific to ARS
Detailed Answer:
Hi
The symptoms may be superimposed and also occur in isolation. Generalized body ache or myalgia can also be seen in non specific viral infection.
ARS usually starts 3 to 4 weeks after having contracted HIV. It usually begins with Sore throat associated with Generalised lymph node enlargement (other than neck there is also enlargement of node in axilla and groin ).
This is often followed by low grade fever.
Other manifestation could be
1. Mild rash
2. Oral ulcers
As these symptoms can also be seen in other illness. None of the symptoms are diagnostic or specific to ARS.
It will require ELISA test to rule out .
Getting ELISA 1 and 2 test done is the surest way to rule it . ( As the exposure has been more than 3 months old Serological windows period will not affect the accuracy of test )
Take care
Best regards
Dr Deepak
Note: Consult a Sexual Diseases Specialist online for further follow up- Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
Answered by
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