2 days after a possible low risk exposure, I began experiencing flu-like symptoms, they have now persisted for eight days. They consist of muscle/joint soreness, chronic fatigue, and lymph node swelling in the groin and the tonsils which had white blisters appear after 6 days and dissappear after 3 more. My groin was sore for a few days as well, evidently from the lymph nodes. With a normal CBC, and and negative strep test, 8 days after the possible exposure, I have become consummed with worry and panic. Is this a possible reaction to HIV or does the time frame rule this out, leaving the conclusion to be a passing virus. What is the earliest documented occurence of Acute Viral Syndrome after exposure? Could lymph nodes swell a mere two days after exposure? Please reply, very worried.

Hi. Thank you for your question.

It would be very unlikely (but not impossible) for Acute Viral Syndrome to occur this soon after infection. It would be even more unlikely that your symptoms were HIV related if you had a low risk exposure. Because Acute Viral Syndrome looks exactly like the symptoms of many other illnesses, NOBODY can tell you whether your symptoms are due to this syndrome or not. Only HIV testing can determine if a person has HIV or not. If you want to be tested for HIV, you need to wait 6 months after your last possible exposure to the virus for the most accurate test result. For more information on Acute Viral Syndrome, please see the question, "Acute Retroviral Syndrome" dated January 3, 1997.

If you have any further questions, please feel free to contact the Centers for Disease Control at 1.800.232.4636 (Nationwide).