Please help me I am begging you!

Ok so my situation is that I had unprotected sex once with a guy who I didnt know, he didn't ejaculate inside me and sex didn't last very long. I was tested for HIV after the incident, but it was too soon to give a proper reading (I just wanted to do it for peace of mind at the time) I cant remember how long I was tested after the incident. It has been over a year since the incident and I have recently developed 'Shingles' which is of great concern to me (especially as I am young) because I have read over and over again is a sign of HIV. What would you advise me to do? I am going to be tested for HIV again but how likely is it that I have it? I'm a 19 year old female from the UK and the man I had sex with was also white and about 24. If I'm positive I really don't know how I will cope, please help me! I understand shingles could be stress/poor diet/bad sleeping patterns - which could all apply to me though not in an extreme sense.

[arpitbindaas]

dont worry u hav low risk GOD bless u

[jessie221a]

Hi, thank you for replying and your kind words! The main worry I have is about the shingles at such a young age? Do you think theyre serious cause for concern? Im only 19.

[hypochondriacsneedluv2]

Jessie,  I have read on here that you can estimate that about 1/1000 people are infected in UK and US, and if you happened to sleep with one of the 1 in 1000 people who are infect, the chance of catching it from one instance of vaginal sex would be around 1/200 (I think? Don't quote me on that second stat, but I think it's close).    I know you said you don't remember when you were tested, but if it was after 6 weeks or so, it would be accurate.  If it were after 4 weeks, it would be about 90% accurate.

I don't know if seeing the statistics helps you, but it looks like the odds are in your favor.  Don't let the internet freak you out.  You will find that they list every illness as linked to it, because when people's immunity is low, they will be susceptible to everything.  The illness alone can't be used as a diagnosis.  It is still a good idea to get tested, though, to make 100% sure, and for your peace of mind.

[Teak]

You need to test 3 months post exposure to obtain a conclusive test result.

[jessie221a]

Hi :)

Yeah I have read similar statistics to that too but can't help thinking 'What if Im that 1 person?' - its tearing me apart and Im struggling to cope because I have no one to talk to about this :( I remember the lady telling me that the test wouldnt show if I had HIV or not, so I cant rely on it. I was also tested for other things and they all came back negative.

I havent had any other symptons since the incident but realise people dont always get symptons, Ive just developed shingles a year after and Im really young :(

I will ring up the hospital tommorrow and make an appointment to have a HIV test, and Ive got a Doctors appointment already to confirm the shingles. I'm just devastated that one mistake could lead to this and Im terrified of losing people I love :(

[jessie221a]

Yeah, I realise that. Im just concerned about the fact I have shingles at 19, thats whats really worrying me. Also, if I have a HIV test done in the near future, would the fact I have shingles mess up the test?

[Teak]

You wouldn't get shingles this quick if you did contract HIV. No shingles won't mess up the test results.

[jessie221a]

Really? Would they only develop later as AIDS developed or could you not get them at any stage during a HIV infection? If you're right I may be able to sleep tonight! ...and OK, well I am still going to get tested because I need to for peace of mind at least.

[Teak]

No they can happen to anyone even babies, the prerequisite is that you have had to have had chicken pox at sometime.

[hypochondriacsneedluv2]

Sorry, Jess. :(  I can sympathize with the worry, and it must be hard not to have anyone to talk to.  You are doing the right thing.  If you can be strong and psychologically pull yourself through the testing process, then you can start to put this all behind you.  The odds are in your favor, though, and no matter what the results are, you will be the same person you are today that your loved ones care about.

[jessie221a]

Yeah I have read up about Shingles but found that it's mainly found in the elderly and people with weakened immune systems, not seemingly healthy 19 year olds, which is what panics me and has dug up my concern about HIV all over again :( Do you really think that the Shingles is nothing to worry about regarding the unprotected sex a year ago? Thank you for all your responses, you're helping me so much even just replying.

[Teak]

You can test at any time if you had unprotected sex was a year ago and it will be conclusive. Where on your body do you have shingles?

[jessie221a]

Wow so I have an interesting few weeks ahead of me. And I have 2 clusters of red blistery spots on the right side of my abdomen, then one cluster on the right side of my back. Im 90% sure it is Shingles because Ive seen countless pictures and they look exact, it's also only affected one side of me - but Im going to the Doctor tommorrow to have it confirmed. I just dont understand why I have it - Im not stressed or anything and if Im HIV- then why would I have it? :/

[jessie221a]

Thank you. I'm going to try my best and be really strong through this it's just difficult and I hate how I have to wait so long. I will definitely be the same person, but not, at the same time. My family will stick by me, my friends don't need to know - but I wouldnt be able to carry on with my boyfriend and have no further relationships :(

[Teak]

There is one thing you didn't mention. With singles, they are very painful, raised blisters with a clear center with fluid and they itch like hell.

[jessie221a]

They're still in the early stages - Ive only had them a few days, I can feel pain from them but it's not too bad. They started off as just a really itchy part of my body with no spots or anything but have turned into this. 90% sure they are shingles - they are EXACT to pictures of shingles found on the web.

[Teak]

It would still hurt and itch if it were shingles even before the blisters appear.

[jessie221a]

Its hurting more today. At 330pm I will get the diagnosis of what my rash is so I will let you know. Then on Monday 230pm I will be having my HIV blood test.

The question I have now (which I know I already asked) is that will having shingles (supposing I do indeed have it) affect the test? ..........I thought it would do because it is a viral infection and my body will therefore be producing things to fight it. Is that not what they test for when testing for HIV? I know there are different types of HIV...but I'm sure they do the cheapest one here in the UK NHS......

[Teak]

No shingles will not affect the results of an HIV test.

[jessie221a]

Sorry if I'm bugging you, but can you tell me why please?