Freaked out need info

[queryous]

I know I have posted before, but things have happened over the last few weeks that have left me really freaked out. I just want some informed feedback. Please read all the information I provide before simply dismissing me.

3 1/2 weeks ago I had condom protected vaginal intercourse with a sex worker at a massage parlor. As far as I know, the condom didn't break but I never looked at it. I was worried and posted here, and initially found comfort in the response I got from posters.

At the time I had just come off fighting strep type symptoms and had recently finished antibiotics.

Within a couple days of the sex I started having flu like symptoms again (sore throat, cough, etc...), which led me back to the doctors to get more antibiotics. I also noticed around that time (maybe a few days later) a small inflamed reddish area on my penis (could have been a sore - don't really remember what it initially looked like). I figured I would show it to my doctor if it didn't go away. Now, I know that flu symptoms from ARS do no present themselves that early, but I have read that those of herpes do. This is important as to why I am so freaked out. As far as I know, I have never had herpes before.

Two weeks to the day after the sex, I was suddenly hit with extreme dizziness and nausea, which required me to go to the ER. The initial diagnosis was that it could have been labyrinthitis. Within a few days of that, I began suffering from massive migraines, which led to neck stiffness and pain, and I was bed ridden for five days. I was never given a spinal tap to confirm (because I was initially admitted for dizziness and nausea), but they believe it might have been viral meningitis. Over the course of seeing doctors for this, the redness on my penis was not totally gone, so I showed it and was told it could be herpes. This had me scared. How could I have gotten herpes if the condom worked?

I am of course dealing with a lot of guilt and anxiety concerning the sex, and I understand that it can cause "fake symptoms" and I am quite aware of those that I am dealing with. I read online that herpes and HIV can cause viral meningitis. This has gotten me even more worried. The combination of potentially having gotten herpes from this sex, and the severe illness I dealt with exactly two weeks after (which is obviously not caused from stress and anxiety) has got me completely freaked out. Now at almost four weeks after, I am finally recovering from what was thought to be viral meningitis. This is why I am posting again.

I need informed feedback. Obviously, I will get tested as a precaution and to set my mind at ease, but I am worried that HIV is a possibility over what I thought was protected sex. I don't know what to do.

[LIZZIE LOU]

YOU HAD PROTECTED SEX...WE DONT NEED UPDATES...WE KNOW WHAT RESULT YOU WILL GET

* Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusively negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to action by MedHelp. Conclusively negative results or a no-risk situation will be based upon the criteria established by MedHelp’s doctors. Action will be taken as follows:
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[queryous]

Hi all,

I wanted to say that I had just received the results from my six week blood antibody test, and the results were HIV negative! I want to thank all of you for your patience and information. This is an amazing resource and you do incredible work.

[queryous]

Hi guys,

I just wanted to say that I had built up the courage to get tested today at five weeks. I was given an Oralquick and the results came back HIV negative!

I have a blood antibody test scheduled for next week as part of a physical. I will get that as well. I got the test done at a free test center, and the counselor seemed very knowledgeable, but he said that at five weeks I would require more testing up to three months for a conclusive result. He mentioned getting a Nat test I believe he called it.

Based on all that I have read here over the last month or so, this seems like a too much for someone in my situation, but I wanted to run it by you.

[queryous]

I understand your response. I will do my best to avoid posting here. It's very difficult when you are dealing with anxiety and all these feelings are hard to get over.

[Teak]

* Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusively negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to action by MedHelp. Conclusively negative results or a no-risk situation will be based upon the criteria established by MedHelp’s doctors. Action will be taken as follows:
* After excessive posting, a warning will be issued by MedHelp
* Continuing to post regarding the negative result / no risk situation will result in a 3 day suspension
* Continuing to post upon your return will result in a permanent ban.

[queryous]

I've been feeling very weak and tired lately, including some trembling. It's now been almost five weeks since the sex, and I am still worried. Is this anything to be concerned about? I plan on testing in a few days, but the strain and anxiety is very difficult. Any more reassurance would be helpful.

[Teak]

I suggest you go back and reread any of your 30 plus posts .

[kumar007]

its due to anxiety or due to something else but not due to hiv..
work with your doctor..
now you have been given alot of reassurance that it is not hiv..
time to move on..

[queryous]

So you're saying that the illnesses I described suffering do not fall under the typical description of ARS? I'm just looking for a little reassurance, and then will try to stay off the forum. That's all I want, and I appreciate your answers.

[kumar007]

condom protected sex = no risk..
you need to forget about this and move on...
you cant get hiv if you were protected..
post in the HIV ANXIETY FORUM----------------------------------------------------------------------------->>

[Teak]

Seek professional mental help.

* Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusively negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to action by MedHelp. Conclusively negative results or a no-risk situation will be based upon the criteria established by MedHelp’s doctors. Action will be taken as follows:
* After excessive posting, a warning will be issued by MedHelp
* Continuing to post regarding the negative result / no risk situation will result in a 3 day suspension
* Continuing to post upon your return will result in a permanent ban.

[queryous]

I've been doing my best to find strength in everyone's words, but sometimes it's so difficult. I'll wake up convinced that I was infected. It scares me beyond words. Having been sick at exactly two weeks makes it difficult for me to get over. The dizziness, nausea, headaches and neck pain had me stuck in bed for close to a week, after I visited the ER. I finally started feeling better after two weeks. The fact that this all occurred during the typical ARS window period freaks me out. Could this have been a strange ARS viral outbreak? I know you say that symptoms don't diagnose HIV, but the timing of this stuff makes it hard for me to get over this. I also know you say that protected sex is safe sex, but I can't help but worry that something happened that I didn't notice, especially having been sick. It's only been 4 1/2 weeks. I don't know how much longer I can wait to know.

[terrywane80]

Stress and anxiety+guilt is ua problem.i had all that but have now gone after convincing myself i dont hav HIV.DO IT TOO

[alienshadow]

Your illness is internet browsing on HIV.. Along with stress and Anxiety... Stay safe..The force is with you

[queryous]

I will do my best to take comfort in your certainty that this was a no risk situation, but I still wish you would address some of my fears such as the illnesses at two weeks and the possibility of getting herpes with a condom that worked correctly.

[LIZZIE LOU]

* Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusively negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to action by MedHelp. Conclusively negative results or a no-risk situation will be based upon the criteria established by MedHelp’s doctors. Action will be taken as follows:
    * After excessive posting, a warning will be issued by MedHelp
    * Continuing to post regarding the negative result / no risk situation will result in a 3 day suspension
    * Continuing to post upon your return will result in a permanent ban.

[queryous]

What about the herpes that I don't believe I had before or the illnesses that hit right at two weeks that aren't anxiety related? I will stop posting if you just answer. It's all tough to deal with.

[Teak]

Then seek professional mental help to deal with it because we can't be of any further help.

[queryous]

I appreciate that you stay strong on the stance of protected sex is safe sex, and it is somewhat reassuring. It's just these other non-anxiety caused illnesses, their timeline, and the herpes possibility. Is herpes easier to transmit even with a condom than HIV? This is where I am having a hard time getting past my worry.

[alienshadow]

3 1/2 weeks ago I had condom protected vaginal intercourse with a sex worker at a massage parlor. As far as I know, the condom didn't break but I never looked at it. I was worried and posted here, and initially found comfort in the response I got from posters


You have answered your own questions.. You had no risk you were protected.. Stress and Anxiety is your problems not HIV... Get away from the net it will make you sick also..

Goodluck the force is with you...

[Teak]

Then I suggest you reread the replies you have already received.

[queryous]

Teak can you please just read what I wrote. I am not trying to be annoying. Trust me, I would rather not spend the time typing this stuff. I am just very freaked, and this is updated information. Can you please just tell me what you think of my risk based on the new information?

[Teak]

* Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusively negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to action by MedHelp. Conclusively negative results or a no-risk situation will be based upon the criteria established by MedHelp’s doctors. Action will be taken as follows:
* After excessive posting, a warning will be issued by MedHelp
* Continuing to post regarding the negative result / no risk situation will result in a 3 day suspension
* Continuing to post upon your return will result in a permanent ban.