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I am worried about HIV/AIDS
Hi all,
I am 32 years old and from India. Before I explain why I am worried, I have to admit that I am generally a person who worries too much about little things, and could even be accused of being a slight hypochondriac. Now on to the point.
I have been visiting prostitutes (high end ones) on and off for a while, but I have never had unprotected sex ever with any of them.
I am a little overweight but reasonably healthy in most other ways. I didn't know much about HIV, but I recently started reading about it, and now I am anxious and worried about having HIV.
The primary cause for worry is that I read that when you have HIV you get red rashes on your body. I have had red spots on my chest for 7-8 years now. I never had them looked at as they rarely itched and what is more they are more or less invisible unless I am in bright lights, and how often does that happen. So I basically used to forget about them.
This happened for a while and then because they never caused me any issues, whenever I spotted them again after a few months or so, I would be like yeah they are nothing. I have never had any issues on account of those red spots.
However after reading about those red spots I was worried what if they are HIV spots. The first I noticed these spots was 7 - 8 years ago, which was after the first time that I had gone to a prostitute, but didn't have unprotected sex.
The thing is after I visited the prostitute, I didn't fall sick or have fever or anything of that sort, like they say happens when you get HIV.
However those dots were there. They could have been there since before as well, but I notice them first after I had seen a prostitute. Also they look nothing like the HIV rashes on the internet, example here - https://www.healthline.com/health/hiv-rash-symptoms-treatments#symptoms or here - https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315963.php
Not even remotely close. However having read of it the hypochondria has started to act up.
After that I have seen prostitutes many times over the years but I have been quite healthy for the 7-8 years since. I have had fever just thrice (maybe 4 times) in that period, only once in these 7-8 years since I saw those red spots for the 1st time, have I had an upset stomach and vomiting and even that got cured in a day.
I am fit apart from that. I go long periods without getting cold, or falling sick in any way. If I had HIV for 7-8 years surely I would fall sick more often, at least that is what I tell myself when I worry.
However ever since I read of the red spots on HIV I am worried about it. I can't bring myself to get tested. Based on what you have read of what I have described, what do you think?
I am 32 years old and from India. Before I explain why I am worried, I have to admit that I am generally a person who worries too much about little things, and could even be accused of being a slight hypochondriac. Now on to the point.
I have been visiting prostitutes (high end ones) on and off for a while, but I have never had unprotected sex ever with any of them.
I am a little overweight but reasonably healthy in most other ways. I didn't know much about HIV, but I recently started reading about it, and now I am anxious and worried about having HIV.
The primary cause for worry is that I read that when you have HIV you get red rashes on your body. I have had red spots on my chest for 7-8 years now. I never had them looked at as they rarely itched and what is more they are more or less invisible unless I am in bright lights, and how often does that happen. So I basically used to forget about them.
This happened for a while and then because they never caused me any issues, whenever I spotted them again after a few months or so, I would be like yeah they are nothing. I have never had any issues on account of those red spots.
However after reading about those red spots I was worried what if they are HIV spots. The first I noticed these spots was 7 - 8 years ago, which was after the first time that I had gone to a prostitute, but didn't have unprotected sex.
The thing is after I visited the prostitute, I didn't fall sick or have fever or anything of that sort, like they say happens when you get HIV.
However those dots were there. They could have been there since before as well, but I notice them first after I had seen a prostitute. Also they look nothing like the HIV rashes on the internet, example here - https://www.healthline.com/health/hiv-rash-symptoms-treatments#symptoms or here - https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/315963.php
Not even remotely close. However having read of it the hypochondria has started to act up.
After that I have seen prostitutes many times over the years but I have been quite healthy for the 7-8 years since. I have had fever just thrice (maybe 4 times) in that period, only once in these 7-8 years since I saw those red spots for the 1st time, have I had an upset stomach and vomiting and even that got cured in a day.
I am fit apart from that. I go long periods without getting cold, or falling sick in any way. If I had HIV for 7-8 years surely I would fall sick more often, at least that is what I tell myself when I worry.
However ever since I read of the red spots on HIV I am worried about it. I can't bring myself to get tested. Based on what you have read of what I have described, what do you think?
PLEASE RELAX! You have always used condoms and therefore you have NEVER had a risk for HIV. EVER
An ARS rash does not last 7-8 YEARS and that is absolutely NOT what your "spots" are about. I'm not a doctor but I'm going to say you've got some kind of allergy or a minor dermatological issue. Next time you see your doctor, make sure you discuss your spots! Please stop looking up symptoms........they are virtually never used to diagnose anything! You do NOT have HIV and you certainly do NOT have ARS.
Be well
RubyWitch
An ARS rash does not last 7-8 YEARS and that is absolutely NOT what your "spots" are about. I'm not a doctor but I'm going to say you've got some kind of allergy or a minor dermatological issue. Next time you see your doctor, make sure you discuss your spots! Please stop looking up symptoms........they are virtually never used to diagnose anything! You do NOT have HIV and you certainly do NOT have ARS.
Be well
RubyWitch
2 Comments
Thank you. It does help me relax to read this.
Glad to hear that............
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