Hopefully WILL be testing today.....

[Faithfull]

Hi, everyone, i'm new here and I have been around this forum from about 8:30 this morning until I finally decided to register.

I am no different from anyone who comes here seeking real life personal experiences as such.
And if I'm out of line in any way I'm sure the Mods, will point me in right direction.

Now, I am very worried as the case may be but very faithfull (spiritual). I had a unprotected oral sex encounter about 2-3 yrs ago with sex worker. I read (from morning) that this risk is Minimal but NOT impossile. And that I have to be tested to really be certain and that anything said here is mainly advise until then.

Now the Dilema that I'm having is this..... I have noticed some strange symptoms from about a yr ago. I continuously get mouth ulcers, slight headaches, fatigue when working out (can't do more than mayb 1 rep at a time) and once couple months ago got and ulcer on the rim of my penis. And since recently slight swollen lymph nodes on the base of my Jaw and face and possible neck (not sure if they are lymph nodes or just general swelling) Now I've been all over the internet and come up with all sorts of info..... but as I said I know I can't take what i see as Conclusive or am looking for any diagnosis from here. But do need some help if possible...... From maybe anyone with similar experiences or knowledge. I am going to be tested really soon, But just curious has to life of a HIV+ and HIV- person so I can better prep myself for the results and life after.

I'm kinda new to this HIV/AIDS thing even though it has been around for long time but not just for me but because I have a girlfriend whom I trully love and don't want to hurt her.

So any help would be much appreciated.

[Andy Velez]

As far as oral sex is concerned, if you were given head by someone, there was no risk for HIV transmission. If you gave oral, the risk is more theoretical than actual. Testing is only indicated if you need the inevitable negative result just for your own peace of mind.

If you have symptoms which are troubling you, discuss them with your doctor. I don't see this as being an HIV situation.

Cheers,

[Faithfull]

Thankx Andy, was looking forward to your reply and others.....

Ur reply is quite reassuring but as You know in these cases only a test can be conculsive for peace of mind. So until then I just gonna be a nervous little wreck with faith of having a negative result.

[Faithfull]

Anyone else having similiar symptoms??

[Ann]

Faithful,

Symptoms or even the lack of symptoms mean absolutely nothing when it comes to hiv infection and for this reason, we do not encourage symptom shopping on this forum.

There have been long-term studies of couples where one is positive and one is negative. In the couples who used condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, but no barrier for oral activities, not one of the negative partners became infected with hiv. Not one. This shows us two things. One, condoms are very effective for the prevention of hiv transmission. Two, oral sex is much lower risk than previously believed. We now have the evidence that oral sex is a very low risk activity where hiv transmission is concerned.

It is highly unlikely that you would have become infected with hiv through oral activities.

Ann

[Faithfull]

Thanks for all your replys and closure on the issue of Oral Sex.

Tomorrow in my country (Jamaica) is world AIDS DAY (not sure if its the same across the world) and they will conducting FREE test that can yeild results in what I think is HAlf and Hour, is there such a test? i don't kno.

I still in denial though as to my status. The main case I worried about was the one related above but now my mind is pointing me to other cases 
I have had some girlfriends in the past of unknown status and I kno with girlfriend that I slept I know I went without a condom even once. The most about 3-4 mins and always  withdraw b4 ejaculating. I had a girlfriend back in 2001 that I never used a condom with (mono) bcuz she wore a coil and after her in the same year I slept with another who became pregnant (not for me) and while she was pregnant I went without a condom and ejaculated in her probably a couple a times (cuz being young u only thinkin about pregnancies and she was already preg. I couldn't possibly inpregnate her again  ). While preg she told me they tested her........ she said she was Neg. at the time or that was what she said. Do they normally give HIV test along with all the other blood tests when ur pregnant? I don't kno. After that I can remeber about three others that I went without with, but those times r the 3-4 mins ones with withdrawal Don't kno of how high risk those were.

And now with all these symptoms and ulcers one can only expect the torment one will go through.

But hopefully I will not scared and back out of tomorrow. Cuz believe me sometimez i feel like jus forgetting testing thing and jus live my life normally, and others times I can only think of my girlfriend whom i have now been with for 5 yrs and she's a virgin so we kno what her status is and I really wouldn't want to be the one to infect her on her first time. I WOULD NOT WANT THAT ON MY SHOULDERS and yet on another I wouldn't want to risk loosing her by being + , not life ends I kno life goes on but You'll can understand what I'm trying to say.

So who can pray, pray for me (and not jus me but for those who R living with it) and who has never prayed now is good time to try it out.

Peace.
Faithfully Worried

[Faithfull]

Also on Monday nite I listened to program that had persons on it who r living with HIV and the discrimination and arrognat behaviour that they received.....

1 man got stabbed up to near death , another got burnt out of her home some got fired , one was rescuced by the clinic that from a Mob who was about to throw her in a lit flame becuz they didn't breeze to blow the virus on them while she lived in their community....... 

Also an Official said that 1 out evry 4 working in an organisation is infected, can u believ that!!!!

[Ann]

Faithful,

As you have had unprotected intercourse in the past, you would be wise indeed to take advantage of the free testing tomorrow. It doesn't matter what anyone ever told you about their hiv status, unless you've tested together with them and saw the results with your own eyes, you can't possibly know if they are lying or assuming they are hiv negative. Many people do assume.

The rapid tests that allow you to have the results within 20-30 minutes are good, reliable tests. As long as it has been three months since your last unprotected intercourse, your result tomorrow will be conclusive.

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 STIs together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with a sexually transmitted infection.

Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can use condoms with confidence.

And yes, tomorrow is World Aids Day everywhere.

Ann