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HIV Prevention (Expert Forum)
HIV Question...really worried.
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
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No questions will be accepted on the treatment of HIV/AIDS or its complications, viral load, and similar topics. If you have questions about a specific STD other than HIV/AIDS, please visit the STD Forum. Questions that do not pertain to the above topics will be removed from the forum.
If you have not done so, please review other threads in our archives for questions similar to yours and Dr. Handsfield's replies. Questions that duplicate other frequent ones, for which abundant replies exist, and that have little educational value for other forum users, will be DELETED WITHOUT RESPONSE. YOUR PAYMENT WILL NOT BE REFUNDED. The most common examples of such questions are those about low risk exposures to HIV, such as oral sex, condom- protected intercourse hand-to-genital exposure, and nonsexual contact with possibly infected blood or body fluids as well as symptoms of early HIV infection.
HIV Question...really worried.
by MJ2310, Mar 27, 2008 12:46PM
Dr,
My situation is as follows. I'm a hetereosexual, non drug user living in the US. Currently I've been dating a girl for about a month now who has assured me she doesnt have any STD's. She was tested approximately 8 months ago for everything..all negative. She just got re-tested and is awaiting her results. Prior to dating her, I had a fling with a 22 year old female who I met one night out with my friends. We had unprotected sex. Since then...I've basically freaked out and asked her a million times if I had anything to worry about and she said no. I never specifically asked her of her HIV status however.
As of late, I've been getting these weird pains in my wrists accompanied by muscle aches in my legs and arms. I was tested a week ago (3 weeks after my encounter with the first girl). It was negative via the OraQuick Swab Test.
If i continue to test...do you think i will continue to test negative? Should I be worried ?
Any advice is greatly appreciated....thank you very much!!
MJ
My situation is as follows. I'm a hetereosexual, non drug user living in the US. Currently I've been dating a girl for about a month now who has assured me she doesnt have any STD's. She was tested approximately 8 months ago for everything..all negative. She just got re-tested and is awaiting her results. Prior to dating her, I had a fling with a 22 year old female who I met one night out with my friends. We had unprotected sex. Since then...I've basically freaked out and asked her a million times if I had anything to worry about and she said no. I never specifically asked her of her HIV status however.
As of late, I've been getting these weird pains in my wrists accompanied by muscle aches in my legs and arms. I was tested a week ago (3 weeks after my encounter with the first girl). It was negative via the OraQuick Swab Test.
If i continue to test...do you think i will continue to test negative? Should I be worried ?
Any advice is greatly appreciated....thank you very much!!
MJ
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Mar 27, 2008 02:33PM
, Mar 27, 2008 02:33PM
You describe a very low risk for HIV, given how rare it is in most heterosexual men and women in the US, especially if neither of your partners is an injection drug user. Your symptoms don't even hint at HIV as the cause. I see no reason for serious worry about HIV.
About three quarter of infected people have positive test results at 3 weeks, so that result is further reassurance you weren't infected, but not proof. I would not have recommended testing at all, but since you have started down that path, you should have another test about 6 weeks after the exposure you are concerned about.
This site doesn't provide relationship counseling, but I suggest you stop asking the same anxiety-driven questions of either partner. That's an excellent way to ruin any relationship, whether sexual or just friendship. Let it go and stop bugging her.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
About three quarter of infected people have positive test results at 3 weeks, so that result is further reassurance you weren't infected, but not proof. I would not have recommended testing at all, but since you have started down that path, you should have another test about 6 weeks after the exposure you are concerned about.
This site doesn't provide relationship counseling, but I suggest you stop asking the same anxiety-driven questions of either partner. That's an excellent way to ruin any relationship, whether sexual or just friendship. Let it go and stop bugging her.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Post Comment
Just wanted to get your thoughts on the likelihood that my 6 week test will change?
You run a terrfic site, and eventhough it isnt meant specifically for anxiety relief, you have taken a huge weight off my shoulder!
Thank you!
MJ
Thanks for the thanks about the forum.
Quick question....I continued to see the girl in question for about another 3 and a half weeks. During the time we continued to have sex..one time was unprotected. I no longer see her and a week after a had a physical with a complete CBC done..all normal, then a little over a week after that, i had an antibody test which came back negative.
I know testing was done too soon, but should I go get retested?? I've met a new girl and would like a healthy relationship.
Thanks in advance!!
MJ
If my reassurance didn't help, it's fine with me if you get tested. Get your partner tested too, if it will calm your nerves, you and your partner Just go to a local STD clinic and ask their advice. It's up to you. This forum cannot help further.