Chances of HIV

I had unprotected sex six weeks ago. He and I worked together got a little too drunk and it went too far. Now, I don't do this all the time. I have only been with 4 partners in the last 6 years. My question is how high are my chances of contracting HIV? I currently do not know his status. He says he is clean but didn't say he had been tested recently.  This has been bothering me alot. My doctor said she would test me now if I wanted her to. But what are the chances it's actually a correct reading? I believe the test would be a HIV antibody. I've had a few symptoms but I'm not sure if it is caused from HIV. I have lost 15pds in the last 3 weeks. and my doctor informed me that I had a yeast infection. On several sites I've read this is one of the first symptoms women experience. I'm terrified. What's the possibility I have caught HIV?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum.  You have little to worry about.  I will provide you with some statistics which I hope that you will find reassuring and then make a suggestion or two.

Your risk is statistically quite low.  The only partners that are of any even theoretical concern to you are those who you have had sex with within the past 8 weeks.  For all other exposures your recent test rules out the possibility of HIV.  With respect to your more recent partners, assuming that you are here in North America, the likelihood that any of a partner having HIV is less than 1 in 10,000 and perhaps as low as 1 in 10,000 resuming that he has not had sex with other men or used IV drugs.  Then, the risk of transmission of HIV from a single act of unprotected sex is also about 1 in 1000.  Thus, following a single episode with a heterosexual partner of unknown status your risk is no more than 1 in a million and likely lower.  Finally, and add another layer of reassurance, your test at 24 days would have detected at a minimum over 60% of infections acquired 24 days earlier.

With all of this taken together you really have nothing to worry about.  Having said this, it sounds as though your concerns are having a real physical effect on you.  If so and if it is possible, to prove to yourself that you are not infected it may be worthwhile to plan to get tested with the recently available combination p24 antigen/antibody test that is now approved for HIV screening. Most experts agree that the data from this test is totally reliable at 4 weeks after exposure.  For the time being these tests are more expensive than the regular antibody tests.  If you choose to wait to just have the standard antibody test, a negative result at 8 weeks will provide definitive evidence that you did not get HIV.

Try not to worry.  I hope these co moments will be helpful to you.  EWH

[worriedsick522]

Also I would like to add I have had a low grade fever, loss of appetite, and muscle aches, I don't know if these may be due to anxiety, and reading the possible symptoms really freaks me out. They all started at the same time. I really regret it, and don't know what I'll do if I have it.

[worriedsick522]

Last thing I had one HIV antibody at 24 days post exposure it was negative

[worriedsick522]

Thank you for the quick response! I have learned my lesson! No more one night stands!! It was one man, all others were long term relationships. Whoo. You have given me relief, thanks so much! Have a Great Day!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Gald to help. Take care.  EWH