New in the forum

Hi, hi, I'm almost scared to death bi male. I had extremily high risk encounter 6,5 weeks ago. Unprotected anal (I was the one inserting - top) with a stranger (male). Don't ask me or comment on WHY! I don't know. My biggest mistake in life, those few minutes. I read different risk probabilities from the hiv forums and sited I have been browsing. All from like 1 in 200 up to 6,5 in 10000. I went to day had had an hiv test. I will get the results next week. I can't say I have been having any symptoms, except on my penis there is some sort of rash or spot, different if it's well seeable or not, and a small uncmfortable feeling on the top of the penis or maby in the urineal tract close to top. I am scared so badly. If anyone can comment on the likelihoods of getting hiv from this single act? Another thing, the liquids that carry hiv accross, in one site I heard about anal mucus, but usually it's not mentioned, anyone knows anything about that?

[ExtremeStress]

good luck! we can't really tell you anything more than you already looked up on the wonderful internet. you obviously have learned from your mistake, so let this lead your train of thought in the future. as far as the probability. you have probably seen just the statistics if someone is infected "of course". the reality that the chances he is infected are very very very very slim. keep that in your mind and keep your head up!

[siteheld]

i don't know about odds.But good luck and next time always use a condom. For a conclusive result you must wait three months.
You must get tested. Are you suspicious of people who don't seem concern about hiv when they want to have sex with you?

[HSci34]

This is a high risk encounter. The risk is estimated to be, by the CDC at 1 in 100. You need to test, however and get into the safe sex habit.

A test now is considered highly accurate (almost everyone will test positive by this point in time). Some specialists recommend a follow up test at 12 weeks as well (which is completely unlikely to change).

[LFanswers]

are you sure about the 1 in 100 for insertive anal? isn't that receptive anal? that estimate strongly disagrees with the estimates of the docs of this site, they say the risk is much less. Don't have the number right now but 1 in 100 is way to high a risk.

[HSci34]

Sorry I misread, you are right - insertive anal sex is less risky than receptive. A few points I just want to make - any single encounter is not in and of itself high risk. However, each sexual activity carries different risk levels. The only way you can protect yourself is to practice safe sex. Ask your partners their HIV and STD status (and do not have sex with those who are evasive about safe sex or their STD status) and make sure you wear a condom for vaginal or anal sex.

The CDC puts this estimate at around 1 in a 1 500. So it's unlikely to get infected from the single exposure you described, but keep it up - and you will certainly be infected one day. It's also important to remember, these are just rough estimates.

Overall - there are a few reasons why this activity is risky. Any form of anal sex is risky because of the trauma that is involved. Unprotected anal with someone of unknown HIV status always requires testing. This risk can be pretty much eliminated by using a condom and a water-based lubricant. Another reason why you should pick your partners wisely is that there is always a chance that the condom breaks!

[diver58]

HIV Transmission is not a game of numbers and probabilities. 1 in 2000 for example, does not mean at all that you need to sleep with an infected partner for 2000 times or you would get HIV after having unprotected sex with 2000 infected partners and you remain safe until 1999th.

It is improtant to note that JUST ONE contact is enough to pass on the virus from an infected partner to the uninfected one, provided all the conditions are met during that episode of unprotected event.

We must remember that,

1. There is no cure available for HIV/AIDS as of today (nor it is envisaged in next many years), therefore prevention is the only cure.
2. Though discovery of ARV medication has improved quality of life of the infected people very significantly, it is only a survival aid, not a perfect treatment. Severe side effects and drug resistence are the key issues, where struggle is going on.

To keep the life simple and free of stress, ABC of safe sex at CDC's website is a very useful guide.

A------- Abstinence from having sex with high risk groups. MSM happens to be the riskiest behavior with bottoms are at the highest risk.
B------- Be Faithful to to your committed partnership. 100% mutually committed monogamous relationship is real enjoyable where you don't need to have a lollypop with a wrapper on.
C-------- When sex is unavoidale with people of unknown status (one timers for instance), always use condom. Latex and Polyurethane materials provide almost 100% protection if used correctly and consistently. In MSM, don't forget to use plenty of water base lubes.

My sincere advice, don't spend your time in calculating the probabilities and percent risks, play safe and stay healthy. Sexual contact does not last for more than a few minutes, but HIV, once contracted, stays with us until we die.  

[Ice_Man]

I got my results an hour ago - God, am I relived! It turned out negative. The blood was taken 46 days past exposure (6,5 weeks), but the lab said the results were conclusive, negative and I wouldn't have to test again. I have read from all of you guys (and gals) that test results might not be reliable on this short time so I will probably get tested again 6 months or so after exposure.

I can't understand what made me execute this madness that I did, it was like a moment of black-out and the deed was done. No return! I have learned my lesson, this will not happen again and I urge everyone to be careful and alert. I have been living a nightmare for 7 weeks now, one that I have not been able to wake up from. Thank God it's over. I will stay on this site - These weeks have tought me many new things and one of them is that HIV provention is not reaching out nearly enough. Belive it or not I thought insertive anal to be much less dangerous than it actually is. I thougth sticking my thing in would be ok as long as I had noting up mine. Same with oral, I belived it to be totally ok but now, I know it's not.

[Ice_Man]

Today I went to a clinic for tests for other std's - I told the doctor that I had a negative result yesterday from blood drawn on 6,5 weeks. He adviced me to go for another test in about 2 months time. So, what the hospital lab said yesterday (that I didn't need another test) is not reliable. So, I'm back to a bit of worrying, but not so much. I think it's very unlikely to test positive after 6,5 weeks negative. But apparently it's possible. Any comments on that?

[lostone08]

possible yes but very vrey very unlikley to change get tested again at 3 months for peace of mind

[Ice_Man]

Today I had results from my ,,other STD's" tests. I was tested for every STD I think except for HIV as this test was done only 3 days after my 6,5 week HIV test. Well all is negative so far. I will still have to go for a second HIV at 12 weeks +.
Anyways I'm relived that I don't have any STD after this exposure of mine.

[worried826]

Congrats on the negative results.

[Tony728]

keep us posted!!.....and wrap it up when you play :)
congrats on the negative results bro

[alienshadow]

keep up the unsafe practices and your luck will run out i hope you take value in not going through this again

[Ice_Man]

I am now waiting again very anxiously. I wanna begin correcting that my earlier tests were at 7,5 and 8,1 weeks after exposure, I miscalculated the first time. Anyways, after 120 days (4 months) past exposure I tested again and am awaiting the results. I've been having severe anxiety all this time, particularily the last few weeks. I've developed most if not all symptoms during this time from the last tests, most scary, a presistent rash. I know it's rational to belive the test will be negative again, but.. I'm still very anxious about it. Well, we'll see.

[shenhua]

good luck to you...

[Ice_Man]

I just received my 120 days (4 months) hiv test results. Only got them over the phone from the clinic though, so I'm praying the information is accurate. I will get it in written in a couple of days. So, on this 17,2 week test I tested negative. Thank God!

[Ice_Man]

I want to say, that staying on this site has not done me any good. Actually it has provoked anxiety far above any normal level and more then I've ever experienced. I think I'm not the only one experiencing this. Specially it provokes anxiety regarding symptoms. Symptoms for hiv are non-specific and alike to any other common flu. For instance I have experienced all the symptoms during the last 4 months, but they either were imaginary or due to something alse. It's unbelivable what people is posting onto this threads here, drowning it in useless bull about fingering and protected sex which is totally risk free. The people who come here with real risk are drowned in this sort of posts. I have to say that I admire the tolerence from key persons on here, like Teak and LissieLou, answering all these nonsense posts. I urge people to read about hiv before posting here, good sites are available, for example the body .com and aegis. com - One thing that needs to be talked more about regarding hiv transmission is that it transmits both ways, BOTH the bottom and the top are at danger, I didn't know this when I got my exposure, and call me stupid if you like. The truth is that I thought tops were at very minor risk. Then to all of you, stay protected, that's what I'm gonna do.

[LIZZIE LOU]

amen!!!  

[nursegirl6572]

Excellent post...every single poster should be required to read it before posting.

I hope your anxiety improves (we have a great anxiety forum, btw...a lot of caring people!)...and congrats on your results!

And, yes...lizzie and teak have patience beyond words....I give them all the credit in the world!  :0)

[Ice_Man]

Just an update as I received the results from yet another HIV test today. I had this test because of an application that I'm doing, not because of HIV anxiety. On the other hand I am glad to confirm that 2,8 years after my exposure I'm HIV free. I have not had any exposure since the on on the horrible evening at the gay sauna in London, Feb 2008. Whatta nightmare that was.
Stay wrapped and protect youself.
IceMan