POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: LJ on August 03, 2006, 11:19:15 pm
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I was a member of the old forum and wote in a few times worrying about a few incidinces in my past. The advice from all the experts on this site really set my mind at ease, but today I am back and worried all over again. I went for an HIV test today as part of my application for permanent residnce in Canada. I am a gay man and am applying for a common law union with my Canadian partner and an HIV test was necessary. This test flooed me with guilt and fear about my past again. I am young guy and in my exploration years (about 5 years ago) I had a few annonymous oral sex encounters where I was both the receptive and insertive partners. I never ever recieved ejaculate in my mouth (only precum) and never really did anything for too long (maybe a minute at a time). Once I tried poppers (I never should have done that but I was curious) and on one occasion i noticed that I had bitten my cheak open after thet fact. Since those experiences I have pretty much be completely celibate (as sad as that sounds0 until I met the wonderful man I am with now. We have shared everything with each other and he says he is not worried. I guess I am just worried that i will hear from them in 10 days with bad news (Iam hoping not to hear from them as they have said they only contact us again if there is a problem) I also found it odd that I did not receive any pre-test counceling or discussion of my previous risk factors. I just went in, the appropriate immigartion forms were filled in and blood was taken it literally took a few minutes. Is this how it is supposed to be done? Any help, advice, reassurance ...would be greatly appreciate
Thank you
Jonathan
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Jonathan,
I don't see any reason for you to be concerned about HIV from what you describe. Take the time to read our Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) and inform yourself about how HIV is transmitted.
Then move on and enjoy your new life with your sweetie.
Fondly,
MtD
/edited for an small typo/
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Hi MtD
thank you for your reassuring message and kind words. I really do appreciate you taking the time to ease my mind. I sometimes get a bit overwhelmed with worry and rereading the lessons has also helped.
thank you and warm regards
Jonathan
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Not a problem, Jonathan. I'm pleased I've been able to help you out with this.
Take care!
MtD
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Hi Everyone
I thought i would just post quickly in the hope that it may give some other worried people out there some reassurance. I was confident that my situation had not been a risky one but still allowed my imagination and fears to run crazy. This drove me to hours of late night internet searching on the risks of various actions and so on (something I am sure almost everyone in this forum can identify with). Coming accross this forum was the best thing that could have happened. I read through the lessons and past questions relating to my issue and then posted ....just to be sure .... (I know everyone can identify with this ritual too :)..... you know ???... maybe I was different?, maybe I am the one? maybe, maybe, maybe....). To cut a long story short, my test came back negative as was predicted by the experts and lessons on this site.
I guess I just wanted to say that the guys on this site really know what they are talking about and no matter how much you convince yourself that you have been infected the facts will not change (and if they ever do ... here is the place to find the news in a frank and honest way) ... the only way to know our status is to test. This may sound a bit high and mighty as my test was a necessity for my residence in Canada, but I promise you I lost allot of sleep and way too much time worrying about the minimal risk I had ... If I had taken the advice the first time I signed up to the old forum I would have eased my mind long ago. Nevertheless I am stoked.
The experts on any site or at any clinic can only tell you the facts. What you choose to do with that information should rely on what level of risk you are comfortable with. For each person this is different, the main thing is that you do not put anyone else in danger when deciding this. Always respect yourself and your partners.
Anyway thanks for taking the time to read this (if you didn't get too bored halfway through...lol) and thanks and good luck to all the people who offer selfless support and advice on aidsmeds. Listen to these guys because they not only know their stuff but actually do care.
Cheers everyone
Jonathan :)