Yes, HIV is much more common in African Americans, perhaps especially economically challenged ones (whether rural or "inner city"). So statistically that modifes the odds. But still the chance any particular person is HIV infected is low. Presumably you have asked your partner her HIV status: if she says she has been tested and is negative, almost certainly that is reliable. If she hasn't been tested, you should ask her to do so--you could accompany her and be tested together. In any case, it is useless to site around worrying and wondering, or asking online advice about the odds.
There still is nothing in your symptoms or overall situation that make me worried you have HIV.
A few comments about HIV in African Americans, to head off perceptions of racism. It is crucial to understand that the high rates of HIV in blacks has nothing to do with "promiscuity" or historical perceptions (prejudices) about sexuality in African Americans. It has everything to do with high rates of incarceration, unemployment, homophobia, and higher death rates among young African American men than other race/ethnicity groups. In other words, the high HIV rates are the result of all the prejudice and social challenges faced by our AA citizens, and not a primarily a consequence of individual responsibility. (This is not intended to open an ongoing discussion of this issue in this thread.)
HHH, MD
Last comment and I appreciate any answer) With knowing that of my sexual partner am I at a higher risk for STD and HIV. I see all these statistics about HIV in African American women, thank you
Thank you for your optimism and the information,
Its my feeling though the person that I slept with would be a high risk of carrying something is the reason for my hightend anxiety, I don't know anything about her execpt, thirty-two year old African-American woman from inner city, has atleast one child, first child at the age of sixteen. That is the reason for my worries, going to get tested as soon as possible, thanks.
Even among 'older', very experienced women, HIV remains rare in the US and other industrialized countries. Other STDs are more common, such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, etc--but even those are much less frequent in 'older' women (beyond age 25-30) than in younger ones. Washing and using neosporin cream might have lowered the already low risk still further, but there are no data to know for sure, or to know the degree of protection.
Seborrheic dermatitis is not known to increase STD/HIV risk, and your symptoms do not suggest any STD. But the way to know is to see a health care provider and stop fretting about it.
And you don't have to wait so long for testing. Gonorrhea and chlamydia testing are valid within a few days of infection; and syphilis and HIV tests are valid after 4-6 weeks. Use the search link to look for 'time to positive HIV test', 'HIV diagnosis', and 'STD diagnosis' for innumerable discussions on this forum and the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex forum about when HIV and STD testing gives valid result.
Bottom line: I don't see any evidence of significant STD risk, and except for your anxiety, I wouldn't have recommended HIV testing at all. The risk is too low to make it worthwhile except for anxiety relief when you learn the negative result--which you will.
Good luck-- HHH, MD