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Author Topic: Scared - please help  (Read 3107 times)

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Offline Cherbx

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Scared - please help
« on: October 15, 2011, 05:33:33 am »
First of all i am female and in the UK

I recently had loss of hair and went to my doctor (GP) who said i was to come back for blood tests which i did, they said i was to call in a week to get my results.

After 4 days i got a call from the Doctors saying i was to make an appointment to come in and see her and now i am really scared.

About a year ago i stupidly had unprotected sex with two guys who i know slept around a bit and now i am terrified they have discovered HIV in my blood test. I have read some stories on here from people who said they were called early after their test and told to come in to the doctors and then told they were positive.

I just need to know if they would test HIV in a normal blood test or would it even show up when it has nothing to do with my hair loss, i am just terrified as they wouldn't tell me what was up over the phone.

I know i have to get full STD and HIV test which i plan to do but this has got me terrified.

I don't even know if it is appropriate to post this here but can anyone help?

Thanks you

Cher

Offline Ann

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Re: Scared - please help
« Reply #1 on: October 15, 2011, 06:45:46 am »
Cher,

In the UK, you would not have been tested for hiv without your knowledge. Most places still require a signed consent form.

Hiv will not show up in normal blood work. You have to have a specific hiv antibody test.

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:

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 without a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

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

Anyone who is sexually active should be having a full sexual health care check-up, including but not limited to hiv testing, at least once a year and more often if unprotected intercourse occurs.

If you aren't already having regular, routine check-ups, now is the time to start. As long as you make sure condoms are being used for intercourse, you can fully expect your routine hiv tests to return with negative results.

Don't forget to always get checked for all the other sexually transmitted infections as well, because they are MUCH easier to transmit than hiv.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline Cherbx

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Re: Scared - please help
« Reply #2 on: October 15, 2011, 12:55:54 pm »
Thanks for your reply Ann.

I was just wondering if anything would come up in a normal blood test that could lead the doctors to suspect i could have HIV and ask me to do a HIV specific test?

I am just really worrying,  why else would they call me back so soon?

Thank you again for your reply


Offline jkinatl2

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Re: Scared - please help
« Reply #3 on: October 15, 2011, 01:11:55 pm »
Thanks for your reply Ann.

I was just wondering if anything would come up in a normal blood test that could lead the doctors to suspect i could have HIV and ask me to do a HIV specific test?

I am just really worrying,  why else would they call me back so soon?

Thank you again for your reply



There is nothing on a normal blood test that would indicate/point someone to guess HIV.

"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

-Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD, MPH

Welcome Thread

Offline Ann

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    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Scared - please help
« Reply #4 on: October 16, 2011, 06:39:23 am »
Cher,

You're seeing everything through an hiv lens. Stop it. As you have been told, there is nothing in standard blood tests that would raise a red hiv flag. I've been poz for 14 years, not on meds, and my standard blood tests always come back in normal ranges.

There are a wide range of conditions that can bring on hair loss, with some of the most common being pregnancy, thyroid disorders, and anemia. Others include autoimmune diseases, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and skin conditions such as psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis. source  If you went to your doctor complaining of hair loss, these are some of the things he would have been looking for - but not hiv. Hiv is not known for causing hair loss.

Stress can also cause hair loss.

Don't forget to make an appointment at your local GUM clinic for a full panel of STI testing - including but NOT limited to hiv testing. As you have had unprotected intercourse you've been at risk for the lot - and it is possible to have infections such as gonorrhea, chlamydia or syphilis with no apparent symptoms. Get checked out.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

 


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