Aa
excessive fear
i was potentially exposed to hiv 2 weeks ago when i had protected sex with a prostitute whom i have no idea about her hiv status. i regretted it as soon as i realised what i had done. i have been googling and it has made my situation worse. I am having little bumps like rashes on my body, headaches, tiredness, itchy throat, night sweats, tensed musles. i am scared these are all symptoms of hiv. I am so stessed out i can't concentrate on anything, i have started day dreaming and pulling away from people. please i need to know my risk situation and whether these symptoms necessarily indicate hiv? Any one with a similar situation?
STOP GOOGLING! Please. This is the WORST thing you can do when you have health anxiety. Stay off the internet at all costs.
Correct me if i'm wrong, but did you say you had PROTECTED sex with her? I am no doctor, but i use to have health anxiety about contracting hiv even when using protection. With my extensive research on the internet and experience, the risk is very low. Condoms provide a significant protection against hiv, if the condom is properly used and did not tear/break. 15 days is too early to test. You will have a conclusive result at 3 months, but i predict you cannot wait that long. At least wait 4 weeks to go get tested and that might give you a slight idea. You can retest at 6 & 8 weeks, and this will give you an even better idea of your hiv status. Nothing is conclusive though until 3 months, unfortunately.
It is possible that these are symptoms, but since you are also worried about hiv, it could be your mind playing tricks on you as well. Night sweats are usually accompanied by fever, not just themselves. I learned that during my past experience. If you get night sweats again, try to take your temperature.
Also, we cannot assume that just because she is a prostitute she has hiv. You do not know her hiv status, and cannot jump to conclusions. Also, you used protection. So yes, it probably wasn't the smartest thing you've ever done, but you were safe so don't get down on yourself.
Hope this helps!
Correct me if i'm wrong, but did you say you had PROTECTED sex with her? I am no doctor, but i use to have health anxiety about contracting hiv even when using protection. With my extensive research on the internet and experience, the risk is very low. Condoms provide a significant protection against hiv, if the condom is properly used and did not tear/break. 15 days is too early to test. You will have a conclusive result at 3 months, but i predict you cannot wait that long. At least wait 4 weeks to go get tested and that might give you a slight idea. You can retest at 6 & 8 weeks, and this will give you an even better idea of your hiv status. Nothing is conclusive though until 3 months, unfortunately.
It is possible that these are symptoms, but since you are also worried about hiv, it could be your mind playing tricks on you as well. Night sweats are usually accompanied by fever, not just themselves. I learned that during my past experience. If you get night sweats again, try to take your temperature.
Also, we cannot assume that just because she is a prostitute she has hiv. You do not know her hiv status, and cannot jump to conclusions. Also, you used protection. So yes, it probably wasn't the smartest thing you've ever done, but you were safe so don't get down on yourself.
Hope this helps!
Thats good to know, also i bought a strip today and did a test and the results were negative. Its only been 15 days after the incident and i started seeing symptoms 3 days ago. Is there a chance the virus is not detectable yet?
I have experienced this ONCE - had sex with a stranger, and worried and worried about STD's until I finally broke down and went to be tested. Results: clean as a whistle! :) I was and am very happy about this, and will never do it again. I will take the time to get to know someone, be friends for awhile, and see where that goes.
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