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Author Topic: Worried  (Read 3756 times)

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Offline zino

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Worried
« on: March 22, 2010, 12:03:53 pm »
Hello,

Firstly, I would like to thank the moderators of this forum for all the support and information. I am a heterosexual guy and in 2004 I had two episodes of condom burst with two different prostitutes.Since then, I've lived with alot of guilt for putting myself at risk and also for visiting a sex worker for those services. I was not in a relationship by then but that doesn't exonerate myself for wrong doing at all. I am always at guilt for this. For the last 6 years I've not had any symptoms and infact I've not fell ill at all for that period. In 2007, I went for a medical check-up inorder to get a visa to some European country and I was given a clean bill of health! i.e. blood and urine tests. However, I am much aware that did not include a hiv test. Of recent I've been tired of living in the dark and I've chosen to go for a test so that I can plan my future accordingly. However, I must make it clear that I have never attempted to go for sex without a condom apart from the two episodes where the condom had to burst with two different people. I am in a longterm relationship with my girlfriend and we have always used a condom in any encounter. I would like to know what you guys think about this and by the way I have booked for my test tomorrow but I am evaluating my risks plus putting my anxiety to rest etc etc and all the guilt. Please please help!

Regards

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Worried
« Reply #1 on: March 22, 2010, 12:27:18 pm »
In my experience having a condom break on you is a very low level risk. Until the condoms broke you were protected. It's also in your favor that it is much harder to transmit HIV from woman to man than the other way around.

It's good to read that you have otherwise consistently been using condoms. My expectation is that you're going to test negative. Should you and your girlfriend ever decide to be in a committed, monogamous relationship and want to stop using condoms, just as a precaution you ought to get tested together for HIV so that you know your accurate HIV statuses.

As for the guilt about having gone to sex workers, Zino, just dump that overboard. You're a man, you had needs and you did what you did. You can't undo that. Take a breath, accept it, let it go and get on with your life. 

Good luck with your test result. I expect you will get happy news.
Andy Velez

Offline zino

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Re: Worried
« Reply #2 on: March 22, 2010, 12:50:17 pm »
Dear Andy,

Thank you very much for your response! Since last week I've been going through a very anxious moment as I await the test and Indeed your words wouldn't have come at a better time. Thank you! I had perused through most of the posts in this forum and I recall Ann saying she hasn't been aware of any instance where one has been infected by a condom break. Furthermore, as you have said being a male the numbers are in my favours and again as I understand being circumcised (of which I am) cuts the risk by 60%. I must say this condom breakage is very regrettable since I have always used condoms but now I am having the guilt due to the two episodes. All in all, I now have the guts for the test and I will accept the results whichever way although I highly expect them to be negative.

Once again, Thank you.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Worried
« Reply #3 on: March 22, 2010, 01:59:48 pm »
You're welcome. And yes, I expect you to come out of this ok.
Andy Velez

Offline zino

  • Member
  • Posts: 4
Re: Worried
« Reply #4 on: March 23, 2010, 12:42:24 pm »
Dear Andy,

I did go for the test and hoping to get the results tomorrow afternoon. I sincerely do hope the results come out neg. However, the waiting is nerve racking and I can't imagine how it will be the few minutes before getting the results. However, the doctor did indicate to me there was a real risk but if it happened 6 years ago and I havn't had any sort of "small small" recurring infections/ailments then this fact was in my favor but it is not conclusive.

Regards,


Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Worried
« Reply #5 on: March 23, 2010, 12:53:12 pm »
I agree that post-6 years there would likely have been some indications of health issues by now, even though overall symptoms are never the way to reliably know about HIV status.

Good luck with what I expect will be negative result.
Andy Velez

Offline zino

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  • Posts: 4
Re: Worried
« Reply #6 on: March 24, 2010, 12:44:57 pm »
Dear Andy,

I did get my results just an hour ago and they are all negative for Hiv 1&2, Hepatitis B and C and also Syphilis.Thank you for cooling my nerves! I now do agree that a condom break doesn't automatically mean one has contracted the virus although that doesn't mean that we should ALWAYS

Offline Andy Velez

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  • Posts: 34,126
Re: Worried
« Reply #7 on: March 24, 2010, 01:04:04 pm »
Congrats on that happy result.

You're done with HIV concerns now. Get on with your life.
Andy Velez

 


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