Do I need testing for HIV ???

Hi Doctor, first I would like to thank you for all your hard work and making people feel better and making them sleep better at night.

My question is, im a 24 year old heterosexual male. I have in the past 5 years of my life I

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I guess my main response is that you need personal advice and counseling by a provider knowledgeable about STD and HIV.  It is a mistake to rely on my advice or that of any online source.

By any definition, vaginal sex with a condom is low risk.  Sex during menstruation is not particularly risky, and with a condom simply is not a concern.  On the other hand, having genital warts means that somewhere along the line, you have been infected with HPV.  (The fact that your "genital" warts are anal doesn't mean much.  Anal warts are fairly common in heterosexual men.)

Because of your obvious anxiety, you should be tested for HIV.  Not because I think you are at high risk or because I believe you have it; I do not.  But simply because it is clear that you need to know your test is negative to help you through this period of anxiety.  So stop worrying and get tested.  You can be confident the result will be negative.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[Please Help Me - Really Depressed]

Sorry i forgot to mention that, i once also did have mono or strep throat and was very sick for 2 weeks, but this was in between that period of 5 years and hadn't had sex for atleast 2 months prior to getting sick.

and every time anything happens to me like symptoms or my girlfriend like how she's 25 and just got her first vaginal yeast infection and has them every 2 months that i might have infected her with HIV.

Thanks again Doctor.

[Please Help Me - Really Depressed]

Thanks so much Doctor, i feel so much better, was anxiousally waiting for your response. Based on what you read in both of posts, and since you say i don't have HIV or need to be tested other than for anxiety reasons, I will not get tested and just put this all behind me.

Just a quick question, do i need to be anymore concerened of my anal warts than what my proctologist told me. i mean if they never resolve they won't cause any health concerns will they?

Thanks again, and I just like all the others here greatly appreciate your hard work.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Almost all warts eventually resolve.  If they persist, there is a theoretical risk of degenation to anal cancer.  The risk is low, but follow up with your proctologist if they persist and follow his or her advice.

Thanks for the thanks!   HHH, MD