Very, paranoid, Can someone help?

[stevenA]

I went to the doctor the other day and was diagnosed with genital warts.  So Now I am freaking out and have been trying to read up on   stuff and read that genital warts maybe a cause for concern for HIV Infection.  I have had about 10 sexual encounters over the last year and have used a condom with all except one.  The one i didn't use a condom with I did not ejaculate inside and was inside of her for maybe 3 minutes tops.  so now I am freaking out that I may be HIV positive.  since I have visited the doctor I have had numerous anxiety episodes, nausea, Can't sleep, night Sweating, etc.  My doctor never mentioned anything about taking a HIV test.  I was wondering should I take one and if so which one?  i have been reading about the Home access test?  What is that and how do yo attain it?  Also, are their any other descreet testing methods?  I am so nervous about what is going on that I can't take it anymore.   Can someone please help?

[been_there]

Dear Steven,

As you most probably have read in the moderated forums (Dr. H), any single exposure of unprotected vaginal sex does not carry a significant risk of HIV transmission but there is still a risk nonetheless.  Also note, that symptoms (or the absence of) are never an indication of HIV infection.
Anxiety and panic attacks can also wreck havoc in your personal life.
The only thing that will put your mind at rest is to do go and get tested after at least 6 weeks after exposure.  I know its hard and incredibly stressfull.  

I am with you,

[stevenA]

Thanks, that helps.  What kind of test should I ask for?  I would like the 20 minute test, what is that called again?

[stevenA]

on all the other occasions and used a condom each time.  The condoms never broke.  Is that safe.

[nonegiven]

Condoms that don't break are safe period.  Have no worries about those encounters!!  Breathe easy.

[stevenA]

Thanks for your help.  When bloodwork is taken to see if something is wrong with maybe another condition, like i know someone who was having severe headaches they weren't going away so she had blood work taken and nothing bad came back.  When bloodwork is taken do they look at all possiblities???

[stevenA]

Been there?  What were your risks?  just curious?

[cholny29]

when they take bloodwork normally the are looking for something specific such as cbc (complete blood count), thyroid disorder, herpes, genetic diseases, many many things but usually something specific. so if you have to have blood taken at a drs office more than likely unless it is an hiv test they aren't going to test for it from my knowledge i asked the nurse the same question a few months ago when they tested my blood for mono (cbc). a few testing options that you have that i am familiar with and have experiences are Oraquick (either cheek swab (painless) or finger stick (almost painless)) and EIA (where they actually draw the blood from your vein into a vial and send it off for testing). the EIA I have had done takes 2 days to get results and i got it at a place like lab corp. the oraquick gives results in 20 min which is good as well. I actually got the oraquick done from a place called the know now organization(TKNO). if you are anywhere near a major city all you do is call them and they take your payment information and they will either come to you wherever you want to be tested or you can agree to meet somewhere. it was very discrete and private. if you are six wks past your last episode go and take a test.  i hope this info helps if you have more q's just ask away! goodluck

[stevenA]

thanks for your help I am getting tested on Friday!

[Mentadent]

Just wanted to add that a large percentage of the population has the virus that causes Genital warts...I don't know the exact percentage, and I'm too lazy to look it up, but I know it's over fifty percent. My point is that you having genital warts means nothing other than...you have genital warts. You don't have to sleep with an STD infested troll to get it, chances are most people having sex carry it.

Good luck on your test, I'm sure you're fine!

[stevenA]

Thanks for your comment.  I was just so freaked out by my dr telling me that I might have HPV and telling me about Genital warts.   he wasn't much help he just told me to look it up on the internet and that is when I started freaking out and started thinking does this Mean I might have HIV??? I had never even heard  about HPV before last friday when I went in to see the Dr.   This past week i feel like i have lost about 10 years off my life.  I feel very healthy other than the stress that this has done to me.  I just want it to be over so I can move on and not make the same mistake again.  I keep having up and down moments but getting feedback on this forum really helps. Thanks Again.