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veryworried90

Drs. EWH and HHH,

I am a 20 year university student from a small size (100,000) Canadian city and I had unprotected vaginal sex (one encounter) with a 21 white female university student. The encounter was August 28th. We did not have anal sex. We were both drunk and as such, she told me she was on the pill and if I didn't want to, didn't have to wear protection. Very stupid decision I am aware, considering my godmother is a public health nurse specializing in sexual health and I grew up with the stories. I should mention it was only the 2nd time I have ever had sex, not second person, second time. The first time was a protected encounter and she was a virgin so it does not concern me. Since then, I have been panicked that she may have HIV and I have become infected.

I am good friends with one of her friends (how we met) and she told me I was only the 5th person she has slept with. I know this is hearsay, and whatnot but I digress. Anyhow, I think I will list the symptoms I think are pertinent:

*approximately 14-18 days later I developed cold like symptoms (stuffy and runny nose, cough, sinus congestion, sore throat)
*a month later developed another illness of the same sort
*subsequent post nasal drip which has lasted pretty well the last couple of months despite prescripted nasal sprays.
*After about 35 days, developed a small dry skin type rash on my chin which has lasted persistently until now (over 3 months) no where else however.
*After 3 months, I am confident I have a thrush infection in my mouth/tongue, my tongue is consistently coated in a white/yellowish coating and when scrubbed bleeds slightly.
*No fever that I noticed during these episodes, I should mention though I am not positive of this.

I am panicked, cannot not think about it. HIV consumes my every thought. That I will not be able to give my parents grandchildren and get married and have a normal life. The rational part of my being tells me how far fetched it is that I caught HIV. The hypochondriac, sociologic and realistic part of my mind tells me forget statistics and assume that everyone can have it, everyone can get it and that includes myself from this encounter. My ultimate question is; what was my risk factor? And do I need to get tested outside the normal recommended yearly testing? I have never been tested as I never before have put myself at risk. I am consumed by this thought, please help me.
4 Responses
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1508374 tn?1380808510
Try to relax. Why dont you take a test now? Three months have passed so it is so easy to get your answer and relax!Go for it!!:)
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Avatar universal
you should test... And please share the results with the forum... Best of luck and may god bless you..
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Avatar universal
You had some risk, however have in mind that Canada is one of the countries with the lowest HIV infected population (between 1% a 5%). Nevertheless take the test, the results would be definitive.
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Avatar universal
Thank you for the words of support. I tested today, 16 weeks after exposure..NEGATIVE! Such a huge relief, was pretty scared to do it and it took a while to get the courage up, but it feels so good to have that weight off my shoulders.
Helpful - 0
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