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STDs (Expert Forum)
HIV question for Dr. Handsfield
Answered by
Edward W Hook, MD - HIV Prevention, stds
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
HIV question for Dr. Handsfield
by Dancer123716, May 10, 2008 08:59PM
Dr. Handsfield,
I realize that I am positing this in the wrong forum and I sincerely apologize. I already paid and I am just not sure how to go back w/o having to pay again. Again I am really sorry.
Basically my question is- I am a healthy 30 year old white woman living and working in NYC. I stress out very easily and have always had anxiety especially regarding my health. I am a bit of a hypocondriac. I have had sex with about 12 men in my lifetime. I have been in a serious relationship for the last 2 years and we are planning to get engaged in about 2 weeks. I have never been tested because I never had symptoms but I understand that you dont necessarily have to show symptoms in order to have hiv. I also read that high fever is present in about 90% of acute infection and I do not remember a time in my life when I had fever over 100 if that. I never even had the flu full-out and just remember being run down and tired once in a while. For the most part I have had protected sex but there have been a few encounters that were not protected. There were a few times that condoms were not used - nobody came inside of me but I understand that hiv could be present in precum as well. What do you think the odds are for someone in my situation? I really want to work up the courage to get tested, but I think I just need to hear it from a professional. I really appreciate your time.
I realize that I am positing this in the wrong forum and I sincerely apologize. I already paid and I am just not sure how to go back w/o having to pay again. Again I am really sorry.
Basically my question is- I am a healthy 30 year old white woman living and working in NYC. I stress out very easily and have always had anxiety especially regarding my health. I am a bit of a hypocondriac. I have had sex with about 12 men in my lifetime. I have been in a serious relationship for the last 2 years and we are planning to get engaged in about 2 weeks. I have never been tested because I never had symptoms but I understand that you dont necessarily have to show symptoms in order to have hiv. I also read that high fever is present in about 90% of acute infection and I do not remember a time in my life when I had fever over 100 if that. I never even had the flu full-out and just remember being run down and tired once in a while. For the most part I have had protected sex but there have been a few encounters that were not protected. There were a few times that condoms were not used - nobody came inside of me but I understand that hiv could be present in precum as well. What do you think the odds are for someone in my situation? I really want to work up the courage to get tested, but I think I just need to hear it from a professional. I really appreciate your time.
Doctor's Answer
by Edward W Hook, MD, May 10, 2008 10:26PM
, May 10, 2008 10:26PM
Dr, Handsfield and I share this site. You got me. Just as an FYI, while we express ourselves somewhat differently, we ave never, in over 30 years differed on patient management issues. That said, you have posted on the wrong site. Questions about HIV belong on the HIV prevention site. I will do my best to answer your questions with this reply but, if you have additional questions or follow-up they must be on the HIV Prevention site. Sorry
Now, as regards to your HIV risk, let's put this in perspective. There are over 300 million people living in the United Stated of whom 1 million have HIV. Thus, on the basis of this fact alone your chances of having a partner with HIV are, on average, less than 3 in 1000. Then, realizing that infections are more common among men who have sex with other men, drug users and minorities, the chances that your prior partners were infected are still lower. Finally, your odds of getting HIV, IF YOUR PARTNER WAS INFECTED, are less than 1 in 1000 exposures. Clearly, the odds are in your favor (this is not an endorsement of unprotected sex, just a statement of the risk).
Finally, let's discuss your fear of getting tested. It is groundless. Getting tested will only provide you with knowledge, not change whether you are infected or not (and it is unlikely that you are). The majority of your potential exposures have been protected and I would imagine that your partners have not been particularly high risk. Since it is on your mind, I would suggest you go on and get tested. The negative test result will put your mind at ease.
and congratulations on your engagement. EWH
Now, as regards to your HIV risk, let's put this in perspective. There are over 300 million people living in the United Stated of whom 1 million have HIV. Thus, on the basis of this fact alone your chances of having a partner with HIV are, on average, less than 3 in 1000. Then, realizing that infections are more common among men who have sex with other men, drug users and minorities, the chances that your prior partners were infected are still lower. Finally, your odds of getting HIV, IF YOUR PARTNER WAS INFECTED, are less than 1 in 1000 exposures. Clearly, the odds are in your favor (this is not an endorsement of unprotected sex, just a statement of the risk).
Finally, let's discuss your fear of getting tested. It is groundless. Getting tested will only provide you with knowledge, not change whether you are infected or not (and it is unlikely that you are). The majority of your potential exposures have been protected and I would imagine that your partners have not been particularly high risk. Since it is on your mind, I would suggest you go on and get tested. The negative test result will put your mind at ease.
and congratulations on your engagement. EWH
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