Just had HIV testing, scared of results

[david444]

OK, here is my history.

I am a 30 year old heterosexual male.  

I have had multiple female partners, with 100% condom use for vaginal intercourse.  No breakage or slippage.  Condom use EVERY time, no exceptions.

Have never had any symptoms.  No pain, no discharge, no sores.  

Just anxiety. Lots of it.  I know that I'm a hypochondriac. I need to deal with that with a mental health professional.

My HIV test results will be ready in a couple of days.  Still too scared to hear the answer.  

Please advise.  VERY VERY anxious.

[david444]

GOT THE RESULTS!  NEGATIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!

I want to thank Dr. H for his contribution to this site.  Without it, I would not have had the courage to get tested.

I will pledge a donation again. Please keep up this great work!  There is so much misinformation on the internet...Forums like this really make a difference.

Dr. H, you deserve a Nobel Prize.

[david444]

from what i've read, the highest increase in HIV infections are occuring in the african american population for whatever reason.  i may be wrong.  just what i've read on this forum.

[Ineed2relax]

I am sure you will be okay with your test. However, I don't quite understand your comment, " I only had sex with caucasian women." What does that have to do with anything?

[david444]

Dr. H,

Is that regardless of the # of women?

[david444]

virtually safe?  that's what concerns me.

I am not an IV drug user, i had sex with caucasian women only, not gay, always 100% used a condom with no breakage.  

How worried should I be?  I need some solid statistics, given my personal history to help calm me down.

[Confused_again]

I had my test done a couple of weeks ago and I know exactly how you feel. When I went to get my result, the doctor was asking me all kind of questions, which took almost a full minute. He was asking me if I would like copies of the result bla bla, I honestly didn't hear what he was saying because at that point I assumed he had bad news! I was Negative in the end. So don't worry, the process of testing is scary, but everyone goes through it, and with your safe life style, you're virtually safe. You have nothing to worry about, just gather up your strength, get your results in a couple of days and this will be all behind you pretty soon. Good luck!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

In the circumstances you describe, you have no realistic likelihood of having been infected with HIV.  The chance you will die of an accident or an unexpected illness (other than AIDS) in the next 7 days is higher than the chance of your test being positive.  (Perhaps not the thing to tell a hypocondriac, but it's the truth.)  Don't be irrational, get the test results.  And consider seeing a provider about your anxiety disorder.

Good luck--  HHH, MD