All,
My anxiety got the best of me and I went to test today. I was confident of the outcome but I simply wanted to put this thing behind me for good. I was told over and over that I had no risk but I still struggled. The people on this forum and the anxiety forum really helped me through a very dark two and a half months. I was paralyzed with fear over a no risk encounter simply because I had some strange symptoms I could not explain.
I had a unigold rapid test done today and of course, it came back negative. The nurse said given my experience, I can trust this test and rely on it 100% at 11 weeks post experience. She was very comforting as she took the blood sample and told me that I shouldn't worry about infection with my experience.
For all of you worry warts and anxiety-riddled people like me, I wanted to share this with you and thank the experts in the two forums in which I have participated as well as the doctors. I know your symptoms and fears just get the best of you. Testing today, even though I knew there was no risk, just helped me close this dark chapter in my life and now I feel like I can truly move on. I know it is easier said than done but trust the experts in this forum and in the anxiety forum. They were right on with me.
Thanks Rain. I am usually a very rational person. I'm also not a promiscuous person at all. As a matter of fact, this incident was one of only a couple of incidents where I have actually acted something out since I have been married. I've never had anal protected or unprotected, only vaginal sex with my wife, and oral sex (other than my wife) 4 times before I was married and only with my wife after marriage. I should be the poster-child for ways to have completely safe sexual experiences, right?
I appreciate your time and help, Teak. I guess I will make my way to the Anxiety forum to try to get some help coping with irrational and ridiculous fears. Have a happy holiday season.
Yes, I do apologize. I understand. For my own sanity, there is no qualifications to this situation at all that would create a cause for concern? No scenario that could be added to it would change your opinion. I promise I will not continue to post.
I wouldn't have told you, you didn't needed to test if I thought you did.
Thank you, Teak. So, if this was you in this situation, knowing all you know (and I know you are an expert), you would not test?
You never had a exposure and you don't need to test.
HIV is unable to reproduce outside its living host (unlike many bacteria or fungi, which may do so under suitable conditions), except under laboratory conditions; therefore, it does not spread or maintain infectiousness outside its host.
HIV is transmitted by;
Unprotected penetrative anal and/or vaginal sex
Sharing works with other IV drug users
Mother to child