Can a person with HIV survive for 10 yrs without symptoms

[sun123]

Hello Everybody,

when i was 16, i was to one of the Gays pubs in london and went too much drunk. A guy did a unprotected sex with me for 10 mins and then i realised, what i was into and left aside, went home quitely. I didn't do any penetration/unprotectex sex with him. Now after 10 yrs- i am 26 and still had no sexual encounter after that. I am about to get married this yr and i have in the back of the mind of the encounter that had occured to me 10 yrs ago when i was gng through one of STD journal. I am complete honest and dont want to put my GF in any case of trouble. I havent touched her till now for a oral sex also. My love is honest and sincere. Is there any need for me to give my HIV testing before getting married as its been 10 yrs now. I have gone through no symtoms. Not even a flue/fever from past 6 yrs. I have got fever after 2/3 yrs after encounter but soon went off. I have gone through all the blood tests but not HIV. Need a sincere advice.

[sun123]

Thank you chris. Just a quick note. Without any antiretieval drugs will the person live more than 10 yrs. Thank you in advance.
ty

[Teak]

I was a LTNP. I went 21 years being positive, didn't need medication. No illnesses or anything until my CD4 crashed inbetween labs. So the answer to your question is yes, some people go without HAART meds for that length of time and longer. The thing is you need to be tested and continue being tested. It's not like you don't have HIV, your body just doesn't require it to keep the virus in check.  

[sun123]

Thanx Teak for your valuable advice. I am bit worried abt my odds going against my favour as i want to live with my GF for rest of my life. Since i didnt perform any oral sex/intercourse with that guy and the event is for only 10 mins, i would like to know wheather i would be negative at all. Next week i took a day off and booked for the test. It would be great help if you tell my realistic chances of being positive.

[sun123]

I forgot to say that i have Septum Deviation in the nose after that incident and pimples on my back. I have the deviation, along the pimples still. Are these any symptoms in HIV. Thank you in advance.

[sun123]

Thanx Chris for your valuable advice. I am bit worried abt my odds going against my favour as i want to live with my GF for rest of my life. Since i didnt perform any oral sex/intercourse with that guy and the event is for only 10 mins, i would like to know wheather i would be negative at all. Next week i took a day off and booked for the test. It would be great help if you tell my realistic chances of being positive. I forgot to say that i have Septum Deviation in the nose after that incident and pimples on my back. I have the deviation, along the pimples still. Are these any symptoms in HIV. Thank you in advance.

[Teak]

Pimples and a deviated septum are not HIV symptoms.

[sun123]

Thank you for the advice Teak. I am sorry if i am bothering you by any reason- It would be
great help if you could tell my realistic chances of being positive if the guy was HIV positive.
TY

[ExtremeStress]

your chances are damn near zero!!!!! for you tto go that long without symptoms ( Not Likely), for you toget from minimal exposure (not likely), for the Guy to be HIV positive (not likely). Calm down and test next week. You will be negative! Please post your results and our wedding invitations!

[sun123]

Sure thing buddy. If i am Negative then that would be the biggest gift from GOD. Scared, even go to the test center, but one day it should happen. Life is so beautiful until we realize what actually is. On the other hand, my dad (Doctor/Physician) should have known from his experience if their is something wrong when ever i feel sick. Thanks mate--Fingers Crossed.

[sun123]

Can you plz suggest me - Is the quick HIV test- Rapid one OK for my Scenario-Ty

[ExtremeStress]

any test would be fine!

[Tommy420]

What was your encounter again?  After your description you say there was no oral sex nor penetration???

[dumbo]

" for the Guy to be HIV positive (not likely)."

Are you insane?  Wow, you really have no clue about anything.  Teak already said he did not have symptoms for 21 years.  minimal exposure??  unprotected receptive anal is minimal exposure?

You need to stop with your misleading and completely wrong info immediately.

[ExtremeStress]

if it was 5/100 guys infected, plus chance not having symptoms for 10 years, one time with the guy 1/200 (if infected). IT is a billion to one!!!!!!!

[dumbo]

I am not saying this kid is infected at all....but you are wrong.  

I eagerly await Teak's response to this.  But I am sure he won't.

The orig poster needs to test. Period.  Should test out to 3 months after every single receptive anal episode   sheesh.  make up your mind on who you are following today please.  You are all over the map.

[sun123]

Oral Sex/Penetration from my side-I didnt involve in any activity.

[ExtremeStress]

I am sure Teak will fully agree! Teak is a rare case!! And Teak will also agree with that! Single exposure 10 years ago, the chance of the guy he had sex with 3/100 (which is probably an exageration), no symptoms for ten years 1/40,000, and the exposure crisk as 1/200 if the guy he was with is infected, makes it impossible. I said he needs to test, I also said expect a negative! I haven't contradicted Teak in anyway. Why are you being so testy Today!

[Teak]

There are more people that are infected that have had no symptoms then one would think. There are a lot of people who are LTNP. It isn't rare. The thing is you have to test to know your status. You need to be continually monitored for your CD4 and VL even if you are a LTNP.

[Teak]

Have no idea.

[ExtremeStress]

Gotcha!!!!! I was just trying to give dumbo a check on chances in this guys case! for all the above to happen it would have to pretty close to zero right?

[sun123]

If am LNTP, then is it ok for me to get married. I can be alone for my life for my mistake. I love my GF like anyone- I can just leave my rest of life with the memories-(I just dont want to get in any trouble)

[Teak]

Yes, I know a lot of other LTNP.

[ExtremeStress]

don't judge what you see hear as your fate! Teak, Chris, Me and everyone els has said you need to test! That is the only way to know, but the chance of you being positive right now is close to impossible, I think!

[ExtremeStress]

just get a rapid done and it will relieve all fear/questions

[sun123]

Thanx Teak,ExtremeStress,Chris. I'll put a climax on tuesday by a rapid test--Thank you for the support and views-

[sun123]

One last question-Plz- If i am positive- Will i be to AIDS directly as its been 10 yrs now-

[Teak]

Not necessarily.

[ExtremeStress]

quit looking at this situation negatively! The only reason you are concerned is because you are getting married. Why not worry the previous 10 years. You are far from positive right now. Get tested as soon as possible and knock this thing out. Post your results. Until then enjoy day to day life! You have a future regardless!

[sun123]

Shall post the results on Tuesday by this time. Thank you for the moral support. Very Very Supportive.

[guiltnworry]

Extreme, you seem to throw out a lot of statistics that aren't necessarily true.  He had unprotected anal intercourse with a male of unknown HIV status.  The HIV rate in the homosexual community is 1/12 white men and 1/3 black men.  These are the newest numbers from the CDC.  So, the chance that his partner was infected is far more than 5% as you suggest.  You might be able to give advice like yours to a low risk heterosexual encounter, but this was a homosexual encounter.  Dr. HHH always recommends testing for this.  I think we should all listen to him over you.  Sun- good luck with everything!

[Teak]

Anyone that has had an unprotected exposure needs to test. Not just homosexuals.

[ExtremeStress]

I am not throwing out statistics! I never said these are dead numbers! I am demonstrating numbers. His chances are damn near impossible! Besides the point! Are the statistics you gave for London! I don't think so! I am just showing that it is close to impossible to be positive at his point. Furthermore I told him to test, because he does need to test (because he did have a risk, 10 years ago, experiencing no symptoms, with a male of unknown status). So GuiltNWorry shut the hell up. Quit trying to be a an analyst, we are own here to give advice and help judge risk! There was a risk here, but I am willing to bet all I have, he doesn't have anything.

[ExtremeStress]

own = on

[regularjoey]

You did the right and responsible thing by deciding to test next week.  You should not worry much about the outcome, since the vast majority of infected people are very ill after 10 years with HIV.  So expect a negative, the odds are in your favor.  I wish you the best.

Extremestress, it is not "close to impossible" to be positive after 10 asymptomatic years.  Close to 5% of HIV-infected people become LTNPs.   Is it likely though for him to be positive?  Absolutely not.  But it is possible, especially since his risk was high, and he is doing a smart thing by taking a test.   So, I have to agree with guiltnworry, he knows his stuff.

[guiltnworry]

Thanks--I'm a she by the way...Extreme, those stats about HIV in the homosexual community are from industrialized countries (of which London is one, in case you weren't sure)...and actually, I just attended a lecture from a prominent infectious disease doc concerning the rising HIV rates, so yes, those stats do apply here.  You can't say no risk, especially with a homosexual exposure!  You should know that since you seem to be giving out advice left and right at this forum...You say its near impossibe to be positive after 10 asymptomatic years...ask your friend Teak...I think he might tell you otherwise, people like him are not uncommon...

[guiltnworry]

Call it what you will.  I was not trying to stop Extreme from giving out advice, I was pointing out that just because it was one time and sun123 is getting married doesn't mean anything as far as risk.  I would agree with both of you that overall, the odds are in his favor, but that doesn't mean its "damn near zero."  This is a forum to help people, I agree, but it's not somewhere to spread false information.  Dr. HHH would agree that this was one of the highest risks someone could have taken, making him believe otherwise goes against the purpose of the forum.  I never said my statistics were perfect, but they certainly show the risk to be far greather than "damn near zero."  Also, they aren't my statistics, they are the stats used by the CDC and infectious disease docs around the world.  My point was generally that ExtremeStress gets on here, makes a post to every comment or question someone leaves and a lot of the time, its oversimplified or underestimated.  My question is, where is his info coming from?  I know where mine is coming from.

[dumbo]

"  I was not trying to stop Extreme from giving out advice"

I am.  

Great posts.

[guiltnworry]

Thanks, I suppose I was trying to be diplomatic, but it wouldn't be bad to stop Extreme from running his mouth all over the posts...

[Teak]

If you want to ignore someone, dumbo is the person to ignore. He doesn't know anything about HIV or testing and the only thing he can do is try to disturb the forum.

[sun123]

Thanx everybody for valuable suggestions.
I have been given blood test several occations, when ever i got fever/feeling ill. My dad being a doctor, never had a doubt probably he never taught that way. Day after i am gonna go for the test. If its negative -that would be the best day of life and if its positive that would be my last day. ( Either case i am helpless now). The only thing i ever regret is for that time- that ruined my teenage and still backing me. Being the only son- I would never fulfill my parents dreams to be their supprot at their old age (if it turns positive).

[Teak]

LOL, you're helpless? Good Lord. If you are a person that would give up that easy, then you didn't have a life to begin with. If you were to become positive, that's not the end of world. Life goes on. The only dreams you wouldn't fulfill is the only dreams you didn't want to, to begin with. Just because one has HIV doesn't stop them from doing the things they want. You're chances of developing AIDS today is slim to none as long as you take your medication religiously.

[sun123]

The only person i love in this entire world is my DAD. How can he ever digest that his only son has HIV which he would never dream of. He being a diabetic and high blood pressure, i am sure of giving him heart attack by putting the positive result. It would be good to be an accidental death than HIV.

[Teak]

You need to seek the help of a mental health professional if that is the kind of thinking you are having.

[sun123]

The depression/fear in me, is making me say in the way that i would never dreamt to say. My mind stopped functioning(**Whats Happening with me***). The shear stress***God God***.Let me pace my mind in rest for some time.

[mike_no]

Look you are assuming things and disturbing your self. I'll tell you some thing, remember this for the rest of your life "Assumption is the mother of all fu.ckups".

Yes, you did have a risk however you need to logically analyze that 10 years back the number of HIV infected population was low compared to today. Secondly, MOST of the infected individuals would succumb to the virus in 10 years with out medication.

I know how you feel because I myself has been through the same phase twice, you are letting your emotions taking a toll over you and being suicidal is nothing but an act of coward, your chances of yielding a positive result is very slim and you need to understand one thing very very clearly that HIV doesn't mean "DEAD END", there are people living with it and living a healthy life.Today meds have enabled them to live like any other individual.

Be rational, get tested and collect your negative. We are all here for you.

I wish you luck

Mike

[sun123]

Thanx Mike

[sun123]

Sir!
One last question from my side. I had bone enlargement on the foot abt 2 inches and back of the head abt 1 inch. I dont really know whether it was after the incident or before the incident. They are there from past 9 yrs or more but Def 9-10 yrs. Is bone enlargement a symptom. Please guide for the last time.

[sun123]

Sir!
One last question from my side. I had bone enlargement on the foot abt 2 inches and back of the head abt 1 inch. I dont really know whether it was after the incident or before the incident. They are there from past 9 yrs or more but Def 9-10 yrs. Is bone enlargement a symptom. Please guide for the last time.

[Teak]

No, bone enlargements are not a symptom of HIV.

[sun123]

Thanx Sir

[mike_no]

No, that's not an HIV symptom.

Understand that we are not sitting with a crystal maze that predicts, we can only tell you things that's right from logical perspective, we all feel that you will come out fine.

Please understand that no symptom can indicate HIV and HIV can't be guessed to know it you gotta be tested.

You've done the right thing, you've decided to get tested, go ahead collect your rsult and do remember to post your "negative" here.

Mike

[Daveansh]

Ya..Teak is right when he says hiv is not the end of the world..i know a guy who is president of an Aids NGO in my contry..he is hiv + too..he discovered in 1994...he told me that a person with proper medications and diet will never develop aids nowadays...the quality of life is like someone having diabetes..why we are all scared here is the stigma associated with aids...someone who is hiv + can surely have a longer life than someone who has a cancer for example..it is just that if someone has cancer..people will say..ooohhh so sad he got cancer..but if someone has hiv..people will say..ohhh my god he his hiv +...it is just that feeling that scares most of us here i guess..its what others will think bout us..how they will treat us..how they will react..and then there is this guilt feeling...but there is life after hiv ..though its hard..otherwise we wouldnt be on this forum discussing bout our fears..its sure only a test taken at the right period of time is reliable...and nothing else...all the best ..and god bless us all....

[dumbo]

As you can see Teak is still bitter about the fact I have exposed his lies and agenda time and time again and resorts to childish tactics in attempts to make himself look like an HIV expert,which, btw, he is not.

Anways, keep up your very informmative posts.

cheers

[dumbo]

HIV is a mild disease compared to Diabetes.  Yes, HIV is being compared to Diabetes now in terms of manageability.  But make no mistake, DIabetes is far deadlier than HIV.  There is a fear of death every single day from it.  HIV takes years.

Cancer is the same.  It is a very deadly disease and ugly.  It will take you quicker than HIV ever will.  

You are right, the HIV fear these days is really unwarranted.  It is a "stigma" disease (originating in the 80'), as in how the person it.  Almost everyone's first thought if they hear someone has HIV is that they are gay and got it from anal sex.  Of course this is not always true, but true to a large extent.  Since society still does obviously not accept this lifestyle, the stigma remains and probably always will since the disease always hits this community the hardest.

[Teak]

Right, you are the one that spreads the lies and don't know what you are talking about.

[Teak]

HIV is a mild disease compared to diabetes? Oh give us a break. You don't have any idea about HIV or about anyone that lives with this disease or how manageable or unmanageable it is.  You can't spread diabetes or cancer by, sex or by blood. Diabetes is more manageable than HIV. Diabetes doesn’t lead to OIs. Diabetes medication doesn’t cost a tenth of what HIV meds cost. So don't talk about manageability, when you have no idea what you are talking about.

[dumbo]

Type 1 diabetes is not a disease of self indulgence such as HIV is.  To say HIV is tougher to deal with is pathetic, severely misinformed, and incredibly selfish.  Diabetes can take your life anytime.  HIV / AIDS takes many many years to do so.  So take a flying leap with your sob story.

I have no sympathy for people with a disease caused by lifestyle choices.  I do however have sympathy for those that have something that they do not have a choice in getting.  Children being the number one, including babies with HIV of course.

You two are very selfish and self centered.  I could add sick to that as well.

[dumbo]

I said:

" I do however have sympathy for those that have something that they do not have a choice in getting.  Children being the number one, including babies with HIV of course. "

You said:

"so all those people who got hiv from transfusion's was that there self indulgence. how about being born with hiv again i guess self indulgence. and the poor unsuspecting husbands and wives that got it from there mates one more time self indulgence"

??????????????????????

Maybe some literacy classes will help you read.

[dumbo]

" and the poor unsuspecting husbands and wives that got it from there mates one more time self indulgence"

I agree with you 110% and I have said this many many times on this forum.  Your buddy has denied this religiously time and time again long before you arrived.  But, he's your buddy because you feel sympathy with him, so you will do agree with anything he says because you are unable to think for yourself.

Men having receptive anal sex without a condom is self indulgent when the results are so well known.  People sticking shared needles in their arm is self indulgent when the risks/results are so well known and understood.

So, I suggest you read before flying off the handle.

(ps, I have type 1 diabetes, and it can take your life at anytime so please spare me your HIV is worse ****.  Its not like HIV, if you miss HIV meds, you wont die from it but it will not help you in the long run...diabetes, well, you're so smart you can figure out the rest)

[Teak]

Take your diabetes to the diabetes forum and save us the pity party you're look for. This has nothing to do with HIV.

[rational_irrational_fears]

WW: "do you think this is HIV?"

Teak: " Go get tested"

Dumbo: "ITS ME ITS ME. LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME. Teak is not an expert."

Dumbo: " Oh yeah, i am a diabetic and Teak is HIV. Why should teak get all the sympathy. LOOK AT ME LOOK AT ME."

Dumbo you gotta ease up on your agenda and let people do their job of helping others.

[ExtremeStress]

When is the diabetes going to kick in?

[guiltnworry]

Here's an idea. Why don't all of you take your arguing back and forth to Instant Messenger, then you can do it live and spare us all your talks of trolls and homosexual accusations.

[Teak]

I don't believe we asked for your opinion.

[concern4me]

Everyone makes choices in life that can cause their life.  Whether it be driving drunk or fighting in the army.  We are all human and I'm sure lots of us have made plenty mistakes that we wish we can change. Don't beat yourselves up about your mistakes learn from them. Just a positive input for all of our worriers.  If you have sex protect yourself some of us have to learn the hard way when not following this rule.  This is a rough world and life doesn't come with instructions.  Let all of our positive friends prevent the transmission to others and all negative friends stay negative.  stay happy and don't feed to meaningless post.

[regularjoey]

Guiltnworry's opinion is always welcome here, as is everyone else, but hers especially, since she's one of the few people here that actually knows what she is talking about.

[regularjoey]

I agree with G'n'W: it is simply rude to have personal discussions in other people's threads.  I'm guilty of that too, but I've been trying my best to stay out of these as of late.  Instant Messenger works fine if you just want to get into a fight.

[sun123]

Done the testing today-Just 2 hrs back- Another 2 hrs for the result- Death or life in gods hands

[sun123]

I am really really really scared---down to earth---God help me-God help me

[Daveansh]

best of luck..god bless...

[sun123]

Hip Hip Hurray---Thanx Everybody-Thanx Chris-Thanx Teak-Thanx Extreme--Everybody on the form who helped me to croos my stage.Really really happy-Wonderful day i can evr imagine. Thanx --

Negative-Negative-Negative

[sun123]

Your golden words came true-----True spirit

IT is a billion to one!!!!!!!

[Daveansh]

Congrats mate..enjou like u have never b4...and be safe..congrats again..

[ExtremeStress]

Now go get married and have fun! You have been through hell worrying, now it is time to move on. Don't ever doubt these results and have a great life!