Aa
What's my STD/HIV risk?
I am a 23 year old female. I engaged in unprotected sex (one night stand) in January with a general surgery resident at a local hospital. He pulled out and ejaculated on my stomach since I'd just stopped taking birth control after ending a long-term relationship. I asked him a few days later if I should go get tested and he replied, "Don't worry, I don't have anything, and I wouldn't have done anything with you if I did. You're perfectly fine." For some reason, though, I am terrified that he gave me HIV or another STD. He never said whether or not he's engaged in homosexual or high-risk activity. He'd told me that he dated a girl for awhile--but they broke up before he started his residency. That's all I know about him. As an HIV/Aids specialist, what are the odds? I know they are tested for STD's before working at a hospital, right? He's been a resident there for about a year. I know this must sound so uneducated and silly, but I think I must have some kind of phobia--or maybe it's the guilt of the one night stand. A few weeks after I slept with the general surgery resident, I slept with a long-time friend that I KNEW was STD free. We had plenty of unprotected sex for about two months. After we stopped seeing each other, he told me that he tested again for STD's (since he knew that I hadn't tested myself yet) and he was clean. I plan on testing myself soon to give me some peace of mind, but with all of this information, how likely is it that I'm OK?
No one's biology is the same as anyone else's so no one is in the same boat as you, and there is no way to calculate useful probabilities which you are asking for. You can take any test today, for the only useful information available. It is pointless to waste your life in fear when fate can't be changed, so I urge you to test because if negative you can enjoy life again - which you aren't able to do by going to forums and hoping for a useful answer that can't happen there.
3 Comments
Sorry, I might have missed something. I assumed the second person tested for HIV when you said he was std free. Is that correct?
If he wasn't tested for HIV you have to wait for the window period to end. 4 weeks for a duo or 12 for any other. Try to relax until then because nothing is pointing towards you having HIV. In future, if you get a negative result, then you can ask your next partner for test results before commencing relations.
If he wasn't tested for HIV you have to wait for the window period to end. 4 weeks for a duo or 12 for any other. Try to relax until then because nothing is pointing towards you having HIV. In future, if you get a negative result, then you can ask your next partner for test results before commencing relations.
Sorry for being unclear! I slept with one guy at the beginning of January who assured me that he was clean and I was perfectly fine. A few weeks after that, I slept with another guy (he'd recently tested for STD's and he was totally clean) who is a close friend of mine, we had a physical relationship for about two months. After we stopped seeing each other, he tested again for STD's (just to be safe because he knew I hadn't tested myself yet) and he was clean. I know it could be that I just never transmitted anything to him--but I don't see how considering almost all of our sex was unprotected. I am not worried about the HIV risk from him at all because I know him well, and he gets tested regularly. I am worried about the HIV risk from the surgical resident that I barely know--even though he assured me that he was clean and I had nothing to worry about.
That event was in January, so any test you take now will be conclusive. No sense worrying about "what if" when you can know for certain any time now.
Honestly, I'm no doctor but I'm in the exact same situation as you are. Only I was with the same gender. If he says he's clean then there's absolutely no need to worry. To be fair, I still overthink at times but I learned that it won't help and its pointless. Im glad my partner should his results himself you know. If you need anyone to talk to, I'd be glad to help out.
1 Comments
Thank you so much for your kind answer! I always overthink everything because I'm a hypochondriac to the extreme. I really appreciate your encouragement though. I'm here to talk if you need someone to chat with as well. :)
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
