POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: alibaba336699 on November 01, 2009, 11:31:33 am
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Hi all,
I’m very worried bout my HIV status. My previous encounter was with a sex worker from China in a Spa Health Centre. We had sex and after ejaculation, I rested for 30 seconds and I was shocked when I pulled out my penis, the condom wasn’t there (My eraction softens). The sw was shocked too and she went seeking for the condom. Luckily, she got hold to the condom that was just on the surface of her vagina (which proves that my penis was still in the condom while having sex with her.
I was worried bout this encounter and went to a local clinic for a blood test (just after 4 days). The results shown HIV non reactive but to my surprise I’ve got tested positive for HSV2 genital herpes.
Question:
1) Do you think that I should be worried of contracting HIV?
2) As this was the first time I did blood test (I’m 28years old), Do you think i’ve contracted herpes from this encounter or from my previous encounters?
3) I’ve asked my wife to do blood test and the result will be out tomorrow. If she was tested positive for herpes, does that proves that I’ve contracted herpes from the previous encounter and not this one ? and thus it will rule out all possibilities of me contracting HIV?
4) The doctor that I consulted told me that:
a) Sex workers from high class SPA are usually clean (from HIV) and they
have blood test almost every month.
b) Assuming that my penis was exposed to the sw’s vagina, I would still be
safe from HIV as I was tested negative. His reason was although it was still
within the ‘window period’, the latest ELISA is a very sensitive product that
will detect the very minimal of HIV antibody. If it somehow manages to
detect some antibody, the results will definitely be ‘undefined’. IS THAT
TRUE ?
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ali,
1. No. You were NOT at risk for hiv infection. You wore a condom and were protected. As you yourself noted, the fact that she recovered the condom so easily points to the fact that it slipped off as you withdrew, not before. We see this kind of thing ALL the time here and not one person has ever tested positive as a result - I don't expect you to be the first.
You're supposed to hold on to the base of the condom when you withdraw so this kind of thing doesn't happen. When it does, it's more a risk for pregnancy and STIs other than hiv for the receptive partner than it is for the fella. Read through all three condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use them properly in future.
2. Four days is too soon for the hsv test to pick up a recent infection, so it's likely to be older. You need to know that you don't necessarily get hsv2 on your genitals and you don't necessarily get hsv1 on your mouth. They can both go the other way around and they both can be present without having symptoms. If you have further herpes questions, please see your doctor as we only concentrate on hiv in this forum.
3. Your wife's hsv test will prove nothing one way or the other, whether she tests positive or negative. Herpes is one of THE most common viruses out there - something like 80% of the population will test positive for hsv1 and somewhat lower numbers will test positive for hsv2. There is plenty of information about hsv on the internet - just make sure you go to reputable medical sites. And talk to your doctor.
4.a. For a start, it's rude to describe someone's hiv status as being "clean". It implies that those of us who live with hiv infection are dirty somehow. Please let your doctor know this. As long as you're using a condom when you frequent sex workers, it doesn't matter what their hiv status is as condoms have been PROVEN to prevent hiv infection.
4.b. If you actually had unprotected intercourse and therefore had a risk, four days will tell you nothing about that encounter. The earliest one should test following a true risk is six weeks, as the vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by then. A six week negative must be confirmed at the three month point - where there has been a risk. You did NOT have a risk.
You can continue to test over this NO RISK incident if you feel you must for your own peace of mind, but don't be surprised by your negative result. Medically speaking, you do NOT need further testing. You ARE hiv negative and that's not going to change in relation to this incident.
Ann
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Hi Ann / Readers,
First of all, please accept my sincere apology for writing / commenting or using the word “CLEAN” in my previous post. I’m sure you guys understood what I really meant. Perhaps my English was not good and I used the wrong word. I am sorry.
Hi Ann,
Before your reply, I would describe myself as tensed, freaked out / not in the correct state of mind and I cannot describe how relived I am now after reading your post. While waiting for a reply from this forum, I did something really crazy and I visited the same sw to ask her bout the incident. She was hundred percent sure that she recovered the condom from the outer side of her vagina and effortlessly. She told me that women will know immediately if the condom slipped off in the vagina during intercourse. Is this true?
(Sorry for asking this stupid question. I need to know as I am really inexperience in all this)
I did not have sex with anyone other than my wife 3 days prior to this incident so please tell me whether I can assume that I am HIV negative and I only need to do another blood test in 3 months (just to make sure). And of course in this 3 months with the condition that I would not have sex with any outsider.
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If there was a test for guilt you would probably get a result that was off-the-charts. That's what often happens when a partner goes straying.
As Ann has already told you, nothing you have reported suggests that you were in anyway at risk for HIV transmission. If you decide to get tested it is totally only for your peace of mind.
As for the guilt, you're not doing your wife any favor nor demonstrating any higher moral authority by bothering yourself with guilt. You did what you did. Do everyone a favor, let it go and get on with your life.
Cheers.
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Hi Ann / Andy,
I've just got the reading from my wife blood test results.
VDRL - Nonreactive
THPA - Negative
CHLAMYDIA - 2.9
Herpes 1 - 130 units/ML
Herpes 2 - 127 units/ML
HIV 1 & 2 - NONREACTIVE
Think about what i told you. I have sex with my wife 3 days prior to that incident, How could that be possible? If i capture herpes from my previous encounter, then my wife should be tested positive for herpes!!
Does that means that i got it from the sw i visited from this recent incident? Do you think its possible if i could be contracted by HIV too ? I am freaking out .. Please help me !!!
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ali,
I've already told you that it's extremely unlikely you got hsv from the sex worker. You tested four days after the encounter and that was far too soon for hsv to show up if you were infected with hsv from the sex worker. You've probably had it for years, and your wife too.
Stop freaking out. You were NOT at risk for hiv infection.
Ann
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Hi Ann,
Sorry for kept on pestering you buy i really don't get it!! My wife is clean from any STDs period. Can i know the reason why my wife is clean from those STDs when i (assuming that i've got it for years) have unprotected sex with her everytime (i never use condom with her, never ever)?
Today, i visited 2 doctors. One agreed with u guys saying that the herpes cannot be detected so soon but another one told me that it may if someone's immune system is very low. I am confused now!!
Ann / Andy,
Please explain it to me as i am very scared. And also, can you please explain to me what you meant about your previous statement "You're supposed to hold on to the base of the condom when you withdraw so this kind of thing doesn't happen. When it does, it's more a risk for pregnancy and STIs other than hiv for the receptive partner than it is for the fella."
Thanks and advance and sorry for being so irritating ...
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Alibaba:
Think about what i told you. I have sex with my wife 3 days prior to that incident, How could that be possible? If i capture herpes from my previous encounter, then my wife should be tested positive for herpes!!
I understand you're nervous, but contacting me via PM and asking that I chime in with comments isn't helping matters.
Fact is, being seropositive for HSV-2 doesn't mean that you definitely would have passed the virus on to your wife. Your immune system is probably in such good control of the infection that you rarely, if ever, "shed" the virus in your genital secretions. That's good news, but you should still take this information seriously and consider having protected sex with your wife going forward to prevent transmission of HSV-2 if you do start the shed the virus.
I have nothing else to add to Andy's and Ann's sage words of advice and feedback. I'm not reading anything to be concerned about, with respect to HIV, and I sincerely hope you'll move beyond this. Your concern is not HIV, but rather guilt and HSV-2 infection that happened long before the more recent incident with the "Spa Health Center" sex worker.
Tim Horn
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Sorry--I was not aware of that!
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Nestor, you need to know that only those who are authorized to do so are supposed to be responding in this section of the Forums. While your good intentions are appreciated, please follow our rule.
Thanks for your cooperation.
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Hi Ann / Andy,
I'm trying my very best to get over it ... but this incident still kept on coming back to my mind. Can i ask u a question ??
IF i was using condom and the condom slipped towards the end and i ejaculated in her. Am i at very high risk ?? Please revert ... I know you guys mentioned that its very difficult for a lady to transmit HIV to a guy but what are the possibilities in it?
Thanks in advance ...
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We don't deal in what ifs here. That's a slippery slope that is never good to be on.
The manner in which your condom came off is something that happens commonly. Because of how it remained in the woman's vagina it's clear that you were in fact covered throughout intercourse.
If it had slipped off during intercourse you would likely have become aware of it. Yes, there would have been a risk, but a low one since you would have been protected until it slipped. And it is significantly harder to transmit HIV from female to male.
But it didn't happen so once again you are worrying needlessly. If you continue to come back here about this non-risk situation you are going to get yourself a Time Out for 28 days. All of this is unnecessary drama on your part, bascially caused by guilt and anxiety over having strayed. That's the REAL issue in this situation. Get over it and get on with your life. Really.
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Hi Andy,
Thanks for your quick feedback. One final question .. Do you think i should have a re-test on elisa or I SHOULD JUST GET ON WITH MY LIFE?
Also, just need a confirmation. In order not to be transmitted with HIV, all i have to do is to use protection each and every time i have sex with anyone. Even if there is any slippage or breakages, the risk will be very very minimal, Am i right ??
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THere is no science-based risk reason for testing. If you decide to get tested it's strictly for your peace of mind and you have to decide if that is necessary or not.
That's right. Use condoms everytime for intercourse. Even with a break or a slip the risk would be minimal.
End of story. Move on now. Really.
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Hi all,
Just need some info about ARS. I read that ARS symtoms only shows on week 2-4. Is that true? Does that means that it wont occurs on week 5 or 6 or so forth ? And also one should only be worried if all symtoms hits a person at one go and last for a week or so right?
Fina question, If i never experience any signs of ARS Does that means that i am safe from the virus? I know u guys told me that i was never at risk; just wanted to make sure before going for a re-test on week 6 to make my transformation complete. WILL NEVER PUT MYSELF INTO ANY RISK AGAIN !!!
Despite all the comments and advice from Ann and Andy, I am still worried and i believe its normal. Thank you Andy and Ann for your tremendous contribution to this forum. Without all those important infos, i believe more ppl will have unnecessary worries over non risk incident etc etc ...
** I really hope scientists all around the world will soon find a cure for those infected with HIV **
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If i never experience any signs of ARS Does that means that i am safe from the virus?
Ali,
Your comment I quoted is a big part of the reason why we do not concentrate on symptoms here. NOT EVERYONE EXPERIENCES ARS SYMPTOMS WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN INFECTED. Websites that concentrate on symptoms are doing everyone a disservice because it leads people into a false sense of security when they've been engaging in risky behaviours, but never feel ill. I know far more positive people who do not remember anything like an ARS illness than I do people who remember being ill.
For people who do experience ARS, it is true that it happens 2-4 (more usually 2-3) weeks following infection and it's also true that they happen all at once and go all at once.
However, you did NOT have a risk for hiv infection. You can test again for peace of mind if you want, but don't be surprised by your negative results.
You will not be permitted to use this forum to go on and on about this no risk incident. If you read the Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) before posting like you're supposed to, you will have read the following posting guideline:
Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.
Please consider yourself warned!
Ann
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First of all, neither the presence nor the absence of symptoms will ever tell you anything accurately about HIV status. Only an HIV test taken at the proper time will give a reliable answer. If there has been a genuine risk a negative result at 13 weeks is considered to be definitive.
ARS symptoms, if they appear at all, simply resemble too many other illnesses to be a reliable indication of infection.
Like Ann, I will remind you that we cannot see from what you have reported that you had a risk at all. If you decide to get tested to receive the inevitable negative result that is strictly for your peace of mind.
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Hi Ann / Andy,
Can i know some info about ARS? I've read the below statement from a reliable website. It goes "In general, symptoms of HIV are usually NOT PRESENT when a person becomes initially infected. One to two months after infection, however, a person may have enlarged lymph nodes (in the neck and groin), fever, headache, and feel tired. Because these symptoms resemble the flu and pass after a week or month, these symptoms alone are often mistaken for other illness(es). "
Question 1) The flu / fever mentioned; Is that a normal flu (running nose) / low fever or are we talking about serious flu (as in sneezing and excessive mucus etc) and High abnormal fever?
Question 2) Can we actually feel / know our lymph nodes if it's swollen? Will the swell be so huge that it's impossible for us to miss??
Thanks for your reply .. just curious !!1
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The flu-like symptoms are called that just because they will resemble having the flu. There is a rash which sometimes accompanies ARS. It's on flat, doesn't itch and may appear on the trunk and arms of the body. All of the symptoms come and go at the same time. They are not always dramatic enough to be noticed at the time.
The average time to seroconversion is 22 days. All but the smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after an exposure.
Because the symptoms including swollen nodes are ones which resemble other illnesses, they are never a reliable means of determing HIV status. Swollen nodes vary in size and are never something you ought to be feeling or squeezing. They are very sensitive to the touch and handling them can cause a greater problem. Swollen nodes are something to discuss with you doctor, not something for you to squeeze and press, all to no good purpose.
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Hi Andy,
I see .. And the rash will be all over the body and it's always noticeable right? It would be something like a patch of rashes on your arms / body parts am i right? What about night sweats? Is it something chinese called 'cold sweats'? It happens when ure afraid of something or having goose bumps !! Under what circumstance can we call it night sweats ? sweats even in an air-con room at night?
Sorry to disturd andy, but this is going to be my last post !!! Thanks man for your kind advice and assistance in this issue !!!
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No, the rash is a flat, non-itchy rash on the TRUNK and ARMS of the body, not "everywhere."
The night sweats are dramatic if they occur. They drench the sheets with perspiration.
I want to emphasize again that with many they are less severe and it is only with a subsequent positive test result that someone recalls when the symptoms may have occured.
Neither the presence nor the absence of symptoms will ever tell you about your status accurately. When there has been a real risk testing is the only reliable source.
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Hi Andy / Ann,
I am still waiting for 6 weeks to test so that i can get a conclusive results. I know you guys were assuring me that a negative HIV test as an inevitable results for me. "I PRAY TO GOD IT'S TRUE".
Just wanted to share something with you guys ... I've got a minor sore throat, not diarrhea cause it's not frequent (but my passing was watery), no fever but my neck aches. No rashes were traced and i guess that sounds good. Don't think i experience night sweats. I've not put myself doing any sex acts until everything's clear and dusted. Really hope it's not ARS. I am quietly confident with the backing from you guys (saying that i've got no risk) but still cannot ruled out the possibilities what if i were to contract HIV. I am celebrating my birthday today with my family today but i'm not / will not entirely happy till i get a conclusive negative results. God bless me ...
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Forgot to mention, I've got running nose. Not sure if i could classified it as Flu ..
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ali,
What part of "symptoms mean nothing" do you not understand?
I've already warned you about repeatedly posting over a no risk situation. If you feel unwell, see a doctor. We cannot help you with your headcold here.
This is your last warning.
Ann
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Hi Ann,
Don mean to be disrespectful to you; but i aint posting for fun. I am updating whatever happened to me and asking for your opinion. IF YOU THINK thats bothering you then i think i should say I'm Sorry. And you don't have to post anything if you think it's bullshit.
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Ali,
Re-read your entire thread. We've repeatedly given you our opinion. No list of symptoms you post is going to change our risk assessment as symptoms have nothing to do with risk assessment. Our answers are not going to change.
I'm giving you that time out I warned you about. Do not attempt to create a new account to get around your time out because if you do, you will be permanently banned.
Ann