POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: MiamiLat on July 17, 2007, 06:33:08 pm
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First, I would like to say hello to the experts on this forum. May you be blessed for providing such a wonderful service by sharing your knowledge and experience with others.
My exposure was unprotected insertive anal sex (after condom failure) with ejaculation. The guy said he tested NEG a month prior but didn't seem concerned at all, which makes me suspicious.
2 - 3 days after the event I developed fever + sore throat and three days later I went to the hospital and was told I had Strep throat and was treated with a shot of antibiotic.
On week 3, I tested NEG via OraQuick. Since then, I've had discomfort in my lymph nodes area of the neck, underarms, groin, and behind the knee but none seem to be really swollen except for maybe the ones on my neck.
I went this past Saturday for a 6 week test but the counselor refused to test me saying I need to return at the end of 13 weeks because even if the test is NEG now, I still need to re-test then.
Today, I woke up with a fever that is climbing, last I checked was 100.8 F.
I went to a different testing site, and had the OraQuick Rapid Advance test performed. Results were NEG! I don't know what to think. I know the window period is 12/ 13 weeks but should I take comfort in my result today?
It's been 6.5 weeks, could I be seroconverting now? Or could this fever be something else? I'm so confused now...
Please help!
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Hey Miami,
Yes you have a risk exposure, but the good news is that you would have been protected up until the condom failed. Not only that, an insertive partner is at much less risk than the receptive partner.
Given that most people (and by most I mean the vast majority) who are going to test positive do so by the 6 week mark, these latest results are a good prediction for a negative result at 13 weeks, when the window period will have expired.
Nevertheless you do need to test again at 13 weeks.
Symptoms or their absence mean pretty much zilch when it comes to diagnosing HIV. Many things can cause a fever. The only way to be sure (as your counselor has told you) is to have that 13 week test.
MtD
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Thank you very much for such a quick response Matty!
The thing about the condom was that after I ejaculated and pulled out, the condom was still inside his rectum. I immediately panicked, and inserted my fingers and pulled the condom out and inspected it. My ejaculate was not inside the condom, but in his rectum, which means the condom had slipped off some time before. I'm not sure if I applied too much lube on my penis before putting on the condom, or just didn't roll it all the way down to the base. Nevertheless, my penis was exposed and so I consider this the same as unprotected sex.
Yes, I plan to retest in 6 more weeks. I'm just very anxious about the whole experience.
Thanks again...
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You lost the condom on withdraw. There is no reason to test. You do need to learn how to correctly withdraw without loosing the condom.
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I wish that was the case RapidRod, then my semen would have been inside the condom or at least some of it. Also, when I pulled out my penis was still erect. In retrospect, I did feel some increased sensation at one point, but I didn't stop and check since this has not happened to me before, so I just continued...
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Dude, you put the condom on first, then apply the lube. No wonder it slipped off. Look down at the bottom of any of Ann's post and follow the link to condoms. There you will learn how to correctly use a condom. Then you will need to test as Matty has advised you.
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It's 3 - 4 days later and I still have this fever which I'm keeping down with acetaminophen. Last I checked, it was 99.9 F. It's so hard to remain optimistic and not lose hope :( ...
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99.9 is not a fever to even speak of if, it is at all. Normal temps can vary like that.
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Thanks RapidRod... you are by far the hottest looking Doberman I've ever seen ;) ...
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I'm anxious and getting depressed. My fever is gone since Sunday but i'm having some stomach issues, loss of apetite, and I'm feeling tired. I'm afraid the fever might come back...
I keep hoping i'm OK...
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Miami,
It's unlikely you as the insertive partner would be infected following a condom break. It is also highly unlikely that your six and a half week negative result will change.
Stomach issues, lack of appetite and tiredness can all be symptoms of nothing more than stress. Try to chill while you wait for your conclusive three month test.
Expect a negative result. I am.
Ann
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Thank you Ann! I was wondering why you hadn't responded to my post and felt that maybe you thought I was a lost cause, but now I know better. Thanks for your words of wisdom...
I am about to make myself eat something, even if I don't feel hungry!
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Miami, (and anyone else wondering)
If I don't respond to a thread, it's because I totally agree with the responses that have already been given - combined with my own time restraints. Nothing more, nothing less.
You would be wise to get your conclusive result at three months, but as I said yesterday, I don't expect the result to change. Neither should you.
Once you have this incident behind you, you should make sure you are having routine sexual health care check-ups for hiv as well as all the other STIs, at least once a year - twice a year if you are very active. The other STIs are MUCH easier to transmit so if you haven't already, get screened following this condom break. Not all STIs have obvious symptoms and the only way to be sure you're ok is to test for them. If you engage in giving oral, a throat swab should be requested as well.
Make sure you read through the three condom and lube links in my signature line so you can avoid condom breakage in future. Correctly used condoms rarely break. I've never had one break because I make sure my partner is using them correctly - and you can put the condom on your partner (should you be versatile) as part of foreplay to make sure it's on properly.
You need to be using condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, every time, no exceptions until such time as you are in a securely monogamous relationship where you have both tested for ALL sexually transmitted infections together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with an STI. Sex with a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.
Please always keep in mind that unless you've tested together, you can't go by what someone says about their hiv status. People often don't know their true hiv status, and sometimes people lie. It's your job/responsibility to protect yourself no matter what your sexual partner may tell you.
Use condoms correctly and consistently and you'll remain hiv negative. It really is that simple!
Ann
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Oh no! I woke up with a cold sore on my lip! I've gotten this from time to time in the past, but isn't it also a sign of a weakened immune system? I'm scared, I can't help it!...
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No, it isn't a sign of a weaken immune system.
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Miami,
It is completely normal to get a herpes outbreak (a cold sore is herpes) when you are stressed. It has little to do with the over all state of your immune system.
Ann
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My anxiety has been getting the best of me, so I went today for my 10 wk Oraquick Rapid Advance... results were NEG!!! My symptoms threw me off and I feared the worst but now I feel better. I know results aren't conclusive until 12/ 13 wks but now I feel more confident. Thanks to Matty, RapidRod and Ann for responding to my post and helping me through this...
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That's a happy result of course. And you're right, it virtually guarantees you that you will continue to test negative at 13 weeks.
In the future be sure you're wearing condoms that are the right size for you.
Cheers,
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Thank you Andy, I really do hope it stays that way. You guys here on the site are great! ;)
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My dear MODs, I'm getting worried again because I feel discomfort/ soreness around my neck/ throat area (lymph nodes?). I know better than to go by symptoms but I can't help it.
What are the chances of my 10 wk NEG OraQuick result changing at 13 wks? I have about a week and a half to go of this "window limbo"...
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Miami,
You've got more chance of finding a multi-million dollar winning lottery ticket lying in the gutter outside your house than you do of going on to test positive after a ten week negative.
Discuss your neck discomfort with your doctor. We cannot help you with that here.
Ann
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Thank you so much for your prompt reply Ann.
About a year ago, my Dermatologist told me I had some Vitiligo so I guess I'm just concerned that perhaps this condition would delay seroconversion or maybe there weren't enough antibodies for the OraQuick to detect in the oral fluid specimen during my last rapid test. Perhaps I'm just analyzing this too much...
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Yah, you've got those rats running around in your head screeching HIV HIV HIV!
Get productively busy with other stuff in your life. That'd be a much better use of your energy and yes, I agree with Ann that you're going to continue to test negative.
Start getting on with your life. Now!
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Thanks for the advice Andy.
P.S. I'm on my way to the store to buy some rat traps, lol.
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Dearest MODs,
I was planning on a 13 wk test but I ended up testing today instead. My 12 wk OraQuick rapid test result was NEG! Can I let go now?
Thank you all for your support!
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Miami,
If I were you, yes, I'd let this go now. The official window period in the UK and most of Europe is twelve weeks.
The difference between the twelve and thirteen week window periods is academic. A full 52-week year has a total of thirteen four-week periods. However, to neatly divide a year up into quarters, each quarter must have thirteen weeks.
This is the sole difference between the US and UK window periods - a differing definition of what constitutes three months (a quarter of a year).
You ARE hiv negative and your result will not be any different next week. Make sure you use condoms correctly and consistently for anal or vaginal intercourse and you'll stay hiv negative. It really is that simple!
Ann
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Thank you very much Ann for you support!
I will make sure to follow the tips found in your condom and lube links every time.
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I'm scared again. I wasn't feeling so great and took my temp and its 100.1 F
Could the OraQuick have missed something? Could it be a late case of ARS or even an OI? Please...
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Miami,
You ARE hiv negative. How could it be an OI? As for late ARS, unless you're on chemo for cancer, anti-rejection drugs following organ transplant, or have been injecting street drugs every day for years, it isn't that either.
You ARE hiv negative.
Ann
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Thank you Ann,
I followed your previous advice and went for an STI check-up at my local health clinic yesterday at 90 days since exposure. They will be checking for common STIs including HIV via standard ELISA. I was told to return in 2 weeks for my results or I can call in a week to ask if the results are in yet. I will post the results...
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Miami,
You've already had a conclusive negative hiv test. We already know you're hiv negative.
Ann
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Hey Mods! Happy Holidays to you all.
I am back asking for your advice after another lack of judgement. Here is my question:
87 days ago (12.5 wks) I had unprotected insertive anal sex with an unknown status male. I tested NEG at 6.5 wks via OraQuick Rapid Advance.
Today, I tested myself using an OraQuick Rapid Advance testing packet I took from work (I am a healthcare worker). The test result was non-reactive after 20 mins with only 1 line appearing at the control line. I checked again at 40 mins and the result was the same. I then removed the swab stick from the developer solution and placed both separately back in the packet and threw away. Hours later, I was curious and grabbed the packet from my wastebasket to take a look at the swab stick again. This time, there was still a line at the control line but there was also a very faint line at the "T" line. Should I consider this test to be NEG or POS?
Please help clarify. Thank you so much!
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This is a diagnostic question and you should seek the advice of a doctor on interpreting the result of your test.
MtD
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I just found something that says this rapid test can yield erroneous results before 20 mins and AFTER 40 mins. I just wanted to read your thoughts on the matter...
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Miami,
The rapid tests are designed to be interpreted after a certain amount of time. What happens to them after they've been lying around for hours in a trash bin does not change the original result given at the correct time.
You ARE hiv negative.
I suggest next time you need to be tested for hiv, you go through the proper channels instead of "taking" one from where you work. I can understand you not wanting to test where you work, but surely there are other testing centers you could go to. This way you won't have these kinds of worries over interpreting the results.
And PLEASE, remember to use condoms in future. Stop playing roulette with your health, because one of these days your number will come up. No kidding.
Ann
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Thank you Ann for your stern but kind words, and trust me, this was my very LAST stupid mistake. I have beat myself up over the whole incident like you cannot imagine. I have been safe since, and realize it's condom or nothing!
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Hello my good people!
I haven't been on the site for some time since I have been practicing safer sex and have been trying to take into effect what I have learned here.
However, I had the following incident last night:
After rimming another male's ass for a while, I proceeded to rub my penis outside his anus and dipped it inside twice for a few seconds before putting on a condom. After penetrating him for a while, I removed the condom for some oral and after a few minutes, reused the same condom after realizing it was the only one I had. I'm not sure if I put it back on inside-out or the right way.
I continued penetrating him and he asked me to cum right outside his asscrack. I pulled out, removed the condom, and he squatted over my penis so I could cum over his asscrack. I told him I was about to cum, and he then squatted lower and the head of my penis slipped inside his ass as I was cumming. I then pulled out and finished cumming outside but most of it occured in his ass.
What is my HIV risk from this incidence? I am pretty upset at myself since I just tested NEG recently, on 11/07/09. Thank you in advance for your assessment...
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Please return to your original thread.
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How do I do that? I haven't posted in a couple years.
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Click on your nick the click on show last posts.
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(I was instructed to go to my old thread to write my new post):
Hello my good people!
I haven't been on the site for some time since I have been practicing safer sex and have been trying to take into effect what I have learned here.
However, I had the following incident last night:
After rimming another male's ass for a while, I proceeded to rub my penis outside his anus and dipped it inside twice for a few seconds before putting on a condom. After penetrating him for a while, I removed the condom for some oral and after a few minutes, reused the same condom after realizing it was the only one I had. I'm not sure if I put it back on inside-out or the right way.
I continued penetrating him and he asked me to cum right outside his asscrack. I pulled out, removed the condom, and he squatted over my penis so I could cum over his asscrack. I told him I was about to cum, and he then squatted lower and the head of my penis slipped inside his ass as I was cumming. I then pulled out and finished cumming outside but most of it occured in his ass.
What is my HIV risk from this incidence? I am pretty upset at myself since I just tested NEG recently, on 11/07/09. Thank you in advance for your assessment...
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OK, I have merged your threads. Use this one only for any entries you want to make.
The risk to the insertive partner is less than to the receptive one. But risk there definitely is for even brief anal without a condom. You can have anal with anyone you want to but you need to do it the safer way. That means always withouth exception the insertive partner has to be wearing a condom.
The other stuff you mentioned -- rubbing, oral, etc., are only risky theoretically. The real risk sexually is through unprotected intercourse.
The odds are in your favor that you will test negative. But yes, you do need to get tested. You can do it initally at 6 weeks. Assuming you test negative then it almost guarantees you will test negative for a final result at 13 weeks.
If you name indicates that you are living in Miami, I'll say something further. I was at a health-related and HIV meeting the other night. One of the statistics mentioned is that Miami has the highest rate of infection of any U.S. city right now. So be smart and avoid turning yourself into an unhappy statisitic. Use those condoms...EVERY TIME.
Good luck with your test result(s).
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Thank you Andy. I know and understand the odds of infection for Unprotected Insertive Anal Sex, and I also know the risk is less for the Insertive partner. I also realize the real risk is through unprotected intercourse.
The questions posed in my new post are regarding the three total instances of dipping that occured and having reused the condom. The actual intercourse was with a condom.
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Reusing the condom is not a problem.
Dipping? Well what you described sounded more like for-real penetation to me, however brief.
It's up to you and although I expect you will likely test negative, I would still suggest you get tested just to be sure.
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Muchas Gracias Andy!
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Hey Mods! Hope all is well on your end. I haven't been on the forum in a while as I have been using condoms consistently for intercourse and have actually refrained from it for about a year.
I have however, been engaging in unprotected oral because, as I understand, is considered low risk activity.
Well, on June 9th I received a disturbing call from the County Health Clinic. I was told someone I had sexual contact with tested positive for syphilis and HIV and I should come in to get tested.
So the next day, I went to the STD clinic and was tested for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, and chlamydia. I tested negative for all and so I refused the penicillin shot that is usually given for exposures to syphilis.
My last sexual contact was on April 25th, exactly 6 weeks from my STD tests. Assuming the guy I was with is the one who tested pos for HIV and syphilis, can I be reassured I was not infected?
As you know, I am male and my risk with this other male was unprotected receptive oral sex where I swallowed his semen and rimmed him. Please advise. I look forward to hearing from all of you. Thank you in advance!
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As long as you and the other guy did not have unprotected anal intercourse then I don't see any cause for concern about HIV. Nor any need for HIV testing. Nothing else you are reporting put you at risk for the sexual transmission of HIV.
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I appreciate the prompt response Andy.
For some reason, I thought someone that was co-infected with HIV and syphilis made transmission more likely. Does this not apply to receptive oral sex to completion?
Thanks again, I've just been a bit rattled since receiving that disturbing phone call...
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Oral sex isn't a risk of HIV transmission.
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Thank you RapidRod. So oral sex is not a risk for HIV even if the person receiving oral is co-infected with HIV and syphilis...
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Even if. NO RISK OF CONTRACTING HIV.
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Thanks again RapidRod. I just spoke to the guy and got confirmation that he was the one who tested pos for HIV and syphilis. He said he found out 3 weeks ago. I was with him 8 weeks ago, but tested at 6 weeks :/
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Miami,
A six week hiv negative is highly unlikely to change, regardless of syphilis. However, if there is any chance you came into contact with a syphilis sore, you should test again for syphilis at the three month point, as it also has a three month window period like hiv does. The syphilis would not increase your hiv risk unless you had unprotected anal intercourse with him, which you did not. Syphilis, unlike hiv, only requires skin-to-skin contact in order to be transmitted. Make sure you test for syphilis again at the three month point to be absolutely certain you do not have it. Syphilis is nothing to mess around with.
Ann
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Thank you Ann, God bless!
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Update: Neg at 8.5wks for HIV :) ... still need to re-test for Syphilis :-\
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That's a happy result. I expect you to continue to test negative for HIV at 13 weeks.
Cheers.
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Gracias Andy! :-*
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Good morning and Happy New Year Mods,
Last night, I hooked up with a guy. He wanted me to do him bareback but I slipped on a condom without him knowing.
Now this is my concern: When I pulled out, I placed the condom to the side and wrapped it in a napkin to take with me and check later. When I got home, I checked the condom by putting water in it and there were no leaks. I did however, noticed blood around the rim or base so I suppose the guy had some bleeding close to the outside of his anus.
Is there any way the blood could have gotten inside the condom since it was at the base or rim? Before applying the condom, I also applied lube on his anus and fingered him and used the same hand to masturbate myself and get lube on my penis. When I got home I also checked my penis before washing it and did not notice any blood on the head but cannot be completely certain.
What do you guys think? Any cause for concern here?
Thank you in advance for your helpful input!
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If the person giving oral sex has herpes lesions and syphilis chancres, you are absolutely at risk for herpes and syphilis. Not HIV however.
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Hello jkinatl2
I think you are replying to an older post. Today I posted a new one with a different concern entitled "Your Expert Opinion is Appreciated". I did not start a new thread because I have read in the past to always keep to your original thread.
What do you think of my new concern?
Thanks again
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You never had a risk of HIV transmission in the latest situation.
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Thanks RapidRod
I guess I kinda freaked when I saw the blood at the base of the condom and figured it could have seeped inside.
That's when I remembered I had also fingered him previously while applying lube and then used the same hand to masturbate myself with the lube so there might have been blood exposure there too.
I figured I can assume he is HIV pos or doesn't care since he wanted me to do him bareback. Fortunately, I have learned from my past mistakes and did use a condom.
I appreciate the input u have given me
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If the person is co-infected with herpes and syphilis, and has active lesions and chancres in their mouth, then you are indeed at risk for herpes and syphilis.
You are not, however, at risk for HIV.
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jkinatl2
You keep responding to an older post but not the post at hand.
Thanks for your good intentions anyway...
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Not a risk at all. Saliva contains over a dozen different enzymes and proteins that inhibits HIV transmission.
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Being sucked by someone who is HIV+ and has an STD as well does not make it a higher risk for you.
No guy has ever been confirmed to have been infected through a blowjob. It's safe to say, the details notwithstanding, you are not going to make history by becoming the first.
You are worrying needlessly.
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jkinatl2
You keep responding to an older post but not the post at hand.
Thanks for your good intentions anyway...
Yeah, sorry about that. Thought it was a forum glitch. I'm not at all used to this new layout :)
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jkinatl2 RapidRod Andy Velez
Yes, I think it's a glitch in the new forum layout because RapidRod and Andy Velez also just answered questions pertaining to oral sex and my recent post has nothing to do with that. Now I'm uncertain...
This is my recent concern again:
Good morning and Happy New Year Mods,
Last night, I hooked up with a guy. He wanted me to do him bareback but I slipped on a condom without him knowing.
Now this is my concern: When I pulled out, I placed the condom to the side and wrapped it in a napkin to take with me and check later. When I got home, I checked the condom by putting water in it and there were no leaks. I did however, noticed blood around the rim or base so I suppose the guy had some bleeding close to the outside of his anus.
Is there any way the blood could have gotten inside the condom since it was at the base or rim? Before applying the condom, I also applied lube on his anus and fingered him and used the same hand to masturbate myself and get lube on my penis. When I got home I also checked my penis before washing it and did not notice any blood on the head but cannot be completely certain.
What do you guys think? Any cause for concern here?
Thank you in advance for your helpful input!
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jkinatl2 RapidRod Andy Velez
Yes, I think it's a glitch in the new forum layout because RapidRod and Andy Velez also just answered questions pertaining to oral sex and my recent post has nothing to do with that. Now I'm uncertain...
This is my recent concern again:
Good morning and Happy New Year Mods,
Last night, I hooked up with a guy. He wanted me to do him bareback but I slipped on a condom without him knowing.
Now this is my concern: When I pulled out, I placed the condom to the side and wrapped it in a napkin to take with me and check later. When I got home, I checked the condom by putting water in it and there were no leaks. I did however, noticed blood around the rim or base so I suppose the guy had some bleeding close to the outside of his anus.
Is there any way the blood could have gotten inside the condom since it was at the base or rim? Before applying the condom, I also applied lube on his anus and fingered him and used the same hand to masturbate myself and get lube on my penis. When I got home I also checked my penis before washing it and did not notice any blood on the head but cannot be completely certain.
What do you guys think? Any cause for concern here?
Thank you in advance for your helpful input!
I read exactly what you posted and answered accordingly. You never had an exposure.
Good morning and Happy New Year Mods,
Last night, I hooked up with a guy. He wanted me to do him bareback but I slipped on a condom without him knowing.
Now this is my concern: When I pulled out, I placed the condom to the side and wrapped it in a napkin to take with me and check later. When I got home, I checked the condom by putting water in it and there were no leaks. I did however, noticed blood around the rim or base so I suppose the guy had some bleeding close to the outside of his anus.
Is there any way the blood could have gotten inside the condom since it was at the base or rim? Before applying the condom, I also applied lube on his anus and fingered him and used the same hand to masturbate myself and get lube on my penis. When I got home I also checked my penis before washing it and did not notice any blood on the head but cannot be completely certain.
What do you guys think? Any cause for concern here?
Thank you in advance for your helpful input!
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I concur with RapidRod. There was absolutely no risk for HIV in the situation you described.
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Thank you both! Happy New Year!
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Just to clarify your ideas about HIV and other STDs, if you have an active STD, whether syphillis or other, that would mean your immune system is lowered and would make you more vulnerable to acquiring HIV through unprotected intercourse.
But the other guy having both HIV and an STD would not make your risk for HIV higher as long as condoms are being used for anal (and vaginal) intercourse consistently.