Worried...

[WorriedYoungGuy]

Hey guys I am a 24 year old male who just finished up college in the fall. Im currently going for my masters and work in sports. Last fall(08), I had sex with this girl after drinking a bit. The condom broke and I ejaculated afterwards inside her. I have been worried for a year and really havent talked to anyone about it till recently. I got sick maybe a few weeks afterwards in mid November for a couple days(my roomates and friends were sick as well). I also was very stresssed out due to school. I then got sick in mid December for a few days as well. Chills, sore throat, fever and some diarrhea. The past year I have had diarrhea after some meals, not all the time but sometimes. I also have some gingivitis that I have had for years(due to drinking quite a bit and not taking care of my teeth).

Recently, I have paid more attention to my health and teeth.  I still am worried sick about tellling my parents and/or getting tested. Do you think I could perhaps have HIV? Ive read quite a bit about this horrible virus and have told myself there is no way i have it, yes there is a way i have it, going back and forth. Im just so stupid for doing the things I have done. My life seems to becoming together and now im left with why did I risk so much for one night? I rarely got sick when I was younger also so maybe that could help my cause if I was infected? What do I do? And do you think I have a good chance to make it till im in my 50's if I do test positive, take my meds and take care of myself? I want to live life and not be a loser for once. I know I can give others so much more. Im a good person who has had depression my whole life and have had some issues.

Thank you for reading this and I appologize for the length. Happy Holidays to all!

[Andy Velez]

The solution to your concern is very simple. You need to get tested. As long as the incident of the broken condom happened three months ago, you can get tested anytime now.

Your risk level was low. It was a single incident and the condom protected you until it broke. HIV is considerably more difficult to transmit from female to male than the other way around. So the great likelihood is that you're going to test negative.

Absolutely nothing you have reported symptomatically is HIV-specific. And in any case neither the presence nor the absence of symptoms will ever tell you anything accurately about your HIV status. Only an HIV test can give you that information.

Stop torturing yourself and get tested. Yes, you'll be nervous going to do it but I do expect a negative result. And the sooner you do it the better. Start the New Year with a clear mind about this issue.

Good luck to you on the test and keep us posted. As for your symptoms, if they recur that is something you should discuss with your doctor. I don't see HIV as being your problem.

Cheers.