Symtoms?

[karen1988]

Hi, I am driving myself insane, I am in a long term relationship and got extremely intoxicated on a friends hen party weekend on saturday, well to cut a long story short I had unprotected vaginal intercourse with a male friend, I know that he was clear of std's 6 months ago as he was tested, but this obviously dosn't mean he hasn't caught anything in the past  months, I have no symtoms of any obvious std's but I am aware they probably wouldnt show up yet, I plan to get tested asap, but today I have become terrified of the risk of Hiv, ( sexual partner is hetrosexual, white, western european) I know this puts him at low risk but I still cant stop worrying, Things have started to set of warning bells like I noticed he had lost a lot of weight since I last saw him,  I also feel incredibly guilty about this whole thing, I have noticed today that I have a very sore throat (no other symtoms yet) would a sore throat be due to Hiv this early after exposure,( 5 days) please help, I think I will go insane worrying about this for the next few months. Thank you.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

My answer above was purely in relation to HIV.  It would make sense to also be tested for common STDs, like gonorrhea and chlamydia. You can do that at any time; those tests are reliable within a week after exposure.  Visit your local health department STD clinic or a family planning clinic like Planned Parenthood, or your personal health care provider.  The odds are all tests will be negative.

[karen1988]

Thanks, I guess I am just very anxious and more importantly feeling guilty thinking up every possible way I could get caught out out cheating, thanks for your reassurance.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You clearly state the health problem of importance here, and it isn't HIV. It is your anxiety and guilt over a sexual event that makes you uncomfortable.  Maybe it's an exaggeration to call it a health problem, but it's clealry the important element of your message. You have correctly analyzed the situation from an intellectual perspective, that there is no HIV risk to speak of.  All I can do is confirm that fact.  And any of a hundred garden variety viruses, allergies, or other conditions (or anxiety itself) are far more likely causes of the symptoms you describe than HIV is.  From a risk assessment or medical perspective, you don't need HIV testing at all -- you only need to be tested to help get over your emotional stress.  And of course it won't take "a few months".  A single negative test 6 weeks after your last sexual contact will prove you didn't catch HIV.

I hope that helps.  Good luck-- HHH, MD