Received unprotected Anal - high risk

[realdeal6]

On June 28, 2007 I met a man online and participated in receiving unprotecd anal.  This has been my only sexual encounter since June 28.  I remember getting a really bad fever sometime around this encounter that lasted a day (was in bed all day) but didn't think anything of it becuase it came after I injected myself in the glute with anabolic steroids (didn't share any needles).  Then 7 weeks later I came down with a very bad sore throat that lasted for a week or two that also came with tingling in my lower legs that lasted longer (1-2 months) until the doc put me on meds and it went away.  

Since this time I have had muscle aches and twitches, headaches, and currently I have been experiencing mouth problems since november: (dry mouth, white tongue, and white spots on the back roof of the mouth.  The Doc did a scraping for fungus but there wasn't any, this was back in NOV though.

I tested negative for HIV at 81 days via (ELISA) and also Neg for chlymidia and gonnorea on the same day.

Also had tests on Wed 11-8 :  urinalysis, CBC, TSH Ultra Sensitive,  comp metabolic, culture stool, and ova & parasites.   All came back normal

Do I need to test again for HIV??

How conclusive is my 81 day negative?

the 6 month mark was Dec 28

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Your symptoms don't matter at this point.  Test results always outweigh symptoms.  That's always, as in no exceptions, ever.  Although some of them were consistent with an acute HIV infection  (but not typical), the negative test result almost 3 months after the exposure shows you weren't infected.  With modern HIV tests, almost every newly infected person has a postive antibody test result by 6-8 weeks.

You had better get into the safe sex habit.  It was dumb to have sex (especially receptive anal sex!) without being assured first that your partner was negative; and to do so without a condom.  You dodged the bullet this time.  But keep that sort of behavior, and HIV probably is in your future.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

There was a typo in my initial response to chapeau's follow-up comment.  Here is the proper response with the missing words highlighted:

There is nothing to "go figure".  It is no surprise that neither of you was infected.  Even in the highest risk situations, most exposures--either by anal sex or needlestick--DO NOT result in HIV transmission.  Neither of you knows the sources of your exposures had HIV anyway.  The odds are they did not.

This isn't intended to stimulate ongoing discussion.  But I didn't want other forum users to take away the wrong message from chapeau's comment.

[realdeal6]

My college was giving free HIV tests via Oraquick so I decided to get tested.  Just wanted to let everyone know that I tested negative at the 7 month mark by oraquick so I have finally cleared HIV from my mind 100%.  I am definitely going to use protection from now on.  Nothing is worse than what I have put myself through during this time period.  

I am now aware of HIV and I now know that I will never put myself in another situation where I can become infected.  Protection is DEFINITELY what I'm all about!!

[realdeal6]

So there is less than a 1% chance that I have HIV???

I have also gained weight with increased belly fat and loss of what I would consider lean muscle in my arms.  My arms have become flabby like grandma arms especially in the triceps area.

I know that I shouldn't base infection of HIV with symptoms but I just find all too convienent that all of these symptoms came after a high risk exposure.

I mean i've had so many symptoms over the last 6 months it's ridiculous.  My body has never been this messed up in my life, that's why I still have a concern that I have HIV

[realdeal6]

So there is less than a 1% chance that I have HIV???

I have also gained weight with increased belly fat and loss of what I would consider lean muscle in my arms.  My arms have become flabby like grandma arms especially in the triceps area.

I know that I shouldn't base infection of HIV with symptoms but I just find all too convienent that all of these symptoms came after a high risk exposure.

I mean i've had so many symptoms over the last 6 months it's ridiculous.  My body has never been this messed up in my life, that's why I still have a concern that I have HIV

[troggs]

The amazing thing to me is i had an exposure (needle stick/person is an iv drug user/i'm not a drug user @ all). I had the same symptoms and more -no fever, but i had the soar throat w/ loss of voice / white tongue w/o fungus / dry mouth / tingling in my extremeties / red blotch @ back of throat. I also tested negative but @ 85 days. As stated i had many more symptoms. I was certain that i was going to be hiv + i really think that another test would be warranted for such a high risk exposure(s). Mine and your (realdeal) were the highest risks possible. Even though the current guidelines are 3 months and most will be positive at between 2-25 days and 6-8 weeks, maybe another cautionary test @ six months would be a good idea, no? I highly respect your opinion Dr.HHH, MD, but acute infection symptoms like these should'nt be followed up? Surprising. I no your initial answer will not change and i'm not trying to scare realdeal either, it's just amazing to me that we both had such a high risk for transmission and ended up testing hiv -, go figure. Steroids does not deley seroconversion i as i previously thought it might i guess. I strongly advise you to listen to the Doctor my friend, like this hiv will be coming, only protected is wise. Anyone who would have unprotected sex with you is a barebacker, keep it safe...keep your health.