Aa
Just looking for information.
Hi,
I am a 22 year old female living in the United States. I had two possible (low risk from what I've read on the forum) exposures. I had unprotected vaginal sex with two different men both of them status unknown and no ejaculation. One occurred 6 weeks ago and One occurred 2 weeks ago.
I don't believe I had any symptoms although I didn't really pay attention. The only thing I can think of was a 2 night sweats, but both of those were on nights when I took a sleep aid and occurred around 2 weeks apart from each other.
I read other forums on here similar to mine and I feel better and confident that my risk was low but then I have those moments were I believe I am going to be that 1 percent.
Either way I plan on getting tested for STDs and HIV in 4 weeks (6 weeks after the last exposure). I was looking for some input on how you assess my situation and what you think.
Thank you.
I am a 22 year old female living in the United States. I had two possible (low risk from what I've read on the forum) exposures. I had unprotected vaginal sex with two different men both of them status unknown and no ejaculation. One occurred 6 weeks ago and One occurred 2 weeks ago.
I don't believe I had any symptoms although I didn't really pay attention. The only thing I can think of was a 2 night sweats, but both of those were on nights when I took a sleep aid and occurred around 2 weeks apart from each other.
I read other forums on here similar to mine and I feel better and confident that my risk was low but then I have those moments were I believe I am going to be that 1 percent.
Either way I plan on getting tested for STDs and HIV in 4 weeks (6 weeks after the last exposure). I was looking for some input on how you assess my situation and what you think.
Thank you.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. I'll try to help.
Contrary to what you might assume from the media (and perhaps health education you have received), heterosexually transmitted HIV remains rare in most population groups in the US. The large majority of women with HIV from sexual exposure are the regular partners of infected men; very few women are infected from one-time sexual exposures is very low. Further, if your partners are not members of the main high risk groups for HIV (i.e., not bisexaul, injection drug users, immigrants from HIV-endemic countries, etc), the chance either of them had HIV is very low.
For these reasons, standard advice is that sexually active persons like you -- i.e. those with average sexual lifestyles -- not get HIV tested after individual exposure, but instead plan on having a routine HIV test from time to time, like once a year. Unless, of course, there has been exposure to a known-infected partner or one at especially high risk. So if you haven't been tested recently, this might be a good time, since it's on your mind; but not because of these particular events.
Now, having said all that, it is foolish for you to have unprotected sex with new or casual partners. Please start carrying condoms and plan on using them every time. The risk for HIV is extremely low, but it isn't zero -- and why take even a very small risk with such a horrible possible outcome? And although the risk of HIV is low, that's not the case for other STDs. These sorts of sexual exposures put you at quite high risk of chlamydia and HPV, fairly high risk for herpes, and low but still significant risks for gonorrhea, syphilis, and others.
So I endorse your plan for routine STD and HIV testing in the coming weeks. Your planned timing is perfect. But please do get into the condom habit until and unless you move into a committed, mutually monogamous sexual relationship.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Contrary to what you might assume from the media (and perhaps health education you have received), heterosexually transmitted HIV remains rare in most population groups in the US. The large majority of women with HIV from sexual exposure are the regular partners of infected men; very few women are infected from one-time sexual exposures is very low. Further, if your partners are not members of the main high risk groups for HIV (i.e., not bisexaul, injection drug users, immigrants from HIV-endemic countries, etc), the chance either of them had HIV is very low.
For these reasons, standard advice is that sexually active persons like you -- i.e. those with average sexual lifestyles -- not get HIV tested after individual exposure, but instead plan on having a routine HIV test from time to time, like once a year. Unless, of course, there has been exposure to a known-infected partner or one at especially high risk. So if you haven't been tested recently, this might be a good time, since it's on your mind; but not because of these particular events.
Now, having said all that, it is foolish for you to have unprotected sex with new or casual partners. Please start carrying condoms and plan on using them every time. The risk for HIV is extremely low, but it isn't zero -- and why take even a very small risk with such a horrible possible outcome? And although the risk of HIV is low, that's not the case for other STDs. These sorts of sexual exposures put you at quite high risk of chlamydia and HPV, fairly high risk for herpes, and low but still significant risks for gonorrhea, syphilis, and others.
So I endorse your plan for routine STD and HIV testing in the coming weeks. Your planned timing is perfect. But please do get into the condom habit until and unless you move into a committed, mutually monogamous sexual relationship.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I agree with Bullman's point; well said.
And I would add that it is true that some health agencies and other presumed experts over-emphasize the risks of HIV. Public messages for prevention have to address groups of people who really are at high risk (gay/bi men, injection drug users, partners of people in these categories, etc) -- as well as the broad population at lower risk. Given that circumstances, if you were in charge of crafting the messages and had no control of who was actually calling your hotline or reading your advertisement, what exactly would you say to your audience? Without writing whole paragraphs that nobody would read -- i.e. when your health message has to be a few words to fit onto a poster or a 15-second commercial? It's not so easy, is it?
In addition, I do not entirely agree that TV shows or health agencies "make you think" HIV is transmitted during a single episode of sex. I don't recall ever hearing that said; some people may make that assumption, however.
Please get into the condom habit and be selective in choosing partners, and you can expect to have an active and rewarding sex life with low (if not quite zero) risk for HIV.
And I would add that it is true that some health agencies and other presumed experts over-emphasize the risks of HIV. Public messages for prevention have to address groups of people who really are at high risk (gay/bi men, injection drug users, partners of people in these categories, etc) -- as well as the broad population at lower risk. Given that circumstances, if you were in charge of crafting the messages and had no control of who was actually calling your hotline or reading your advertisement, what exactly would you say to your audience? Without writing whole paragraphs that nobody would read -- i.e. when your health message has to be a few words to fit onto a poster or a 15-second commercial? It's not so easy, is it?
In addition, I do not entirely agree that TV shows or health agencies "make you think" HIV is transmitted during a single episode of sex. I don't recall ever hearing that said; some people may make that assumption, however.
Please get into the condom habit and be selective in choosing partners, and you can expect to have an active and rewarding sex life with low (if not quite zero) risk for HIV.
Because it would prevent people from thinking "I'm invincible" and reduce them from high risk behavior. It may not be "easy" to transmit, but it can happen. That's why people educate young people to always use protection.
I am no longer afraid of HIV infection but I don't understand why so many website try and scare you into thinking its so easy to get HIV.
The worst parts is that TV shows and the American health education system makes you think that if you have intercourse with someone who is HIV positive you are defiantly infected with the disease.
Why do they contiune to teach that its so easy to transmit?
Is it their way of trying to "control" the virus?
The worst parts is that TV shows and the American health education system makes you think that if you have intercourse with someone who is HIV positive you are defiantly infected with the disease.
Why do they contiune to teach that its so easy to transmit?
Is it their way of trying to "control" the virus?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Indeed you should not be worried; for sure your HIV test will be negative and probably the others as well. Statistically, the most likely thing that could show up is chlamydia -- probably around 5% chance.
I have had an HIV test well before these two exposures and given blood. Test Negative and Red Cross sent a letter thanking me for the donation, which I know they test and reply the results to you.
I will come back to the Forum in 4 weeks and let you know the results but you have reassured me not to worry.
Thank you.
I will come back to the Forum in 4 weeks and let you know the results but you have reassured me not to worry.
Thank you.
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