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Could I have contracted HIV?

Doctor:
I am a 21 year old white female who is on oral contraceptives. I also use condoms every time that I have sex. Twice in my life I have begun to have sex without them, but I have always become nervous and had my partner put one on within the first two minutes.
I am currently awaiting the results of an HIV test. Although the nurse practitioner at my school felt I didn't need one, I was extremely nervous and thus took one. That being said, I am now making myself sick with guilt. I tested negative and had a normal PAP in November. Since my last HIV test two years ago, I have slept with three new partners, each time with a condom. Two of the three have told me that they have been tested themselves, and are clean. The other, a young man (19 years old) from Austria has not been tested. He assures me that he is clean, and that he has never used intravenous drugs or slept with any men. Although he did not ask his female partners, he knew them personally and believes them to be clean, and also wore condoms each time. I did have unprotected oral sex with this young man, however, he did not ejaculate, I stopped before then. Further, no condoms broke when we had sex. However, if they would get too dry, he would immediately change them. About a month or so after the first time I had sex with this man, I had flu like symptoms for about two days, although I never vomited or had night sweats. Are those symptoms enough to indicate HIV infection?
I have also had unprotected oral sex with one of the other men I mentioned who assures me he is clean, and he did not ejaculate either. I have also had unprotected oral sex with ejactulation with one other young man, however he has only ever slept with his ex girlfriend, who was also a virgin.
Finally, I did get a tattoo in New York City this summer, however, I do believe that the place was legitimate and that they used all new needles and inks. The tattoo artist did change his gloves also between myself and my friend, who was tattooed right before me.
However, I am still nervous. I have been driving myself crazy with guilt and nerves. What do you think my risk of infection is at this point? I appreciate any help that you can give me. Thank you.
17 Responses
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Avatar universal
You have a conclusive negative test. Move along.

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Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I hate to post a follow up question after my good news yesterday. And I realize that I am causing myself much anxiety, and I am going to see someone about that tomorrow. However, I do have a few quick questions.
The test I received yesterday ruled out infection from two of my three partners. (As they occurred six months ago, and then three months ago. Plus, both attested to being clean, but I just wanted to be sure). But I have protected vaginal sex with another person since then. The last encounter with him was exactly six weeks prior to my test, and included UNPROTECTED oral sex, which did not result in ejaculation. This partner was tested in September and was negative, and always uses condoms for vaginal sex, but he was tested only five weeks after his previous encounter.
Basically, my question results from much internet searching which has left me questioning:
1) whether his five week test can be considered conclusive
2) whether my six week test can be considered conclusive
3) and whether oral sex truly is safe sex. The cdc for example maintains that there have in fact been cases where women have contracted hiv through unprotected oral sex.

Thank you so much for your help. This forum is truly valuable, and I realize that I am worrying myself, perhaps excessively. However, as I said I am going to address that tomorrow, but feel your help would still be beneficial. Thank you so much.
Helpful - 0
480448 tn?1426948538
Congrats on your negative result!  I'm glad to see that you are making a committment to yourself to protect yourself!  Sometimes a "scare" like this really puts things into perspective, huh?

Congrats again on the great news...best of luck to you!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you for your advice, and I have promised myself not to do this again. My experience taught me a lot, and the guilt I felt for my actions showed me this is not something I want to do again. It is far more important to have respect for myself than to worry about angering or offending a partner. I have used condoms consistently since October (other than for oral sex, which I know is low risk and I know my partners were negative) but I am going to start using condoms for that, as well. Thank you again, and I appreciate all the work you do for this forum.
Helpful - 0
186166 tn?1385259382
please dont put yourself in this position again.  the correct and consistent use of condoms can prevent you from contracting hiv.  sex lasts a few minutes...hiv is for life ! ! !
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
So I just got my test results, and they were negative, so I am fine!! My last exposure to a partner of unknown status was the end of October, so it has been over three months. And the only person I have slept with since then assures me he is negative AND we only engaged in protected sex. Thank you so much for the service you provide on this forum.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
The increase in HIV transmission is on the rise in hetosexual community. It's still not as high as in the gay community but it is on the rise. Had you used a condom correctly and consistently you wouldn't be posting on this forum.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Do you know realistically what my risks are? My ex boyfriend has been really helpful, and has been reassuring me. He agrees that I needed to be tested for my own sanity, but assures me that the risk is extremely low, if anything, and that contracting HIV from these individuals (white males who are heterosexual and not intravenous drug users) is VERY low. Is this true? I have been reading so many sites over the past few days, that I think I am just making myself paranoid.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you. You are correct, and I have been tested. My results should be in tomorrow or Tuesday at my school's health center.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much for your help, I do appreciate it. I am unsure wheter preejaculate was even involved in the experience that I had. It was so brief, and was with an individual who has been tested and was negative. The other experience was with my ex boyfriend, who also is clean, and same thing, I do not think there was any preejaculate. I feel I am making myself paranoid...I appreciate your time and responses, I understand that until I get my results I cannot know for sure, but your words are certainly beneficial.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Unless you went with them to get tested then you don't actually know for sure. TEST...
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was tested for STDs, and that came back negative already. Based on the information I have provided in my post, do you think my risk is high? I have asked all individuals I have been involved with, and the only one I had unprotected (for about a minute, if that) sex with has been tested and assures me he is negative. Thank you so much for your time, I am just so afraid....
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
If you had unprotected sex then test. Not only for HIV but for STDs also.
Helpful - 0
186166 tn?1385259382
any time you have unprotected sex, you put yourself at risk.  hiv is present in pre-seminal fuid also...although the concentration is nowhere near ejaculate.  with that being said...it's still possible.

you've done the right thing by testing.  let us know the result.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I have had unprotected vaginal sex since my last test, but only for about a minute and then I made them put on a condom. Does that change your opinion? And thank you for your help, I do appreciate it. I do realize my question was complicated...I am really nervous and am trying to include ALL possible risks in my questions.

Thank you again
Helpful - 0
186166 tn?1385259382
if i'm understanding you correctly...you have only had condom protected sex and unprotected oral sex...since your last negative test???

if this is correct...then you can expect a negative on the test that you are awaiting results on.  oral sex does not transmit hiv.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I did not mean to write Dear Dr, I apologize. Any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Helpful - 0
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