Learned my lesson? I'm never having sex again!
Thanks so much though - I'll keep you posted....and good on you for your positive attitude. You are an inspiration :)
Hi Fairyfloss
First...calm down. HIV sucks, but there are worse diagnoses.
There is a conversion reaction that varies from person to person. It is typically in the form of flu-like symptoms that vary in intensity from person to person. I guess it could affect your lymph nodes under your arm, but I think the most likley issue is a bug bite or other infection that lit them up.
The obvious first step is to go get your test. What's done is done and all you can do is learn your lessons and plan for the future.
What I would suggest is that you go get an "anonymous" test at a health clinic. You can get results in as little as 20 minutes.
If the test comes back negative, I would go again 6 mo after exposure just to make sure.
If ti comes back positive, find yourself a good Infectious Disease doc who specializes in this. They will do follow up testing to see how badly your immune system is (it is likely hardly affected at all) and then recommend future care.
Not long ago, there was a debate as to whether you should start meds early or later. Its a big choice.
There is nothing fun about being HIV +. I am tired alot and there are always health worries, but as long as I take it easy when I need to, there are few differences between my life now and what my life would be if I weren;t positive. I take 5 pills per day, but I have friends that take only 1 or 2.
And.....when the test comes back negative.......make sure you learned your lesson.