POZ Community Forums

HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: wolf312866 on July 25, 2007, 01:39:11 am

Title: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: wolf312866 on July 25, 2007, 01:39:11 am
Hello,

I am a guy who not so long ago had a sexual encounter with another guy. The act consisted of kissing, receptive oral sex, and frottage. By frottage I mean rubbing of genitals; and although we both ejaculated near my pubic area (sorry for being so explicit, hope it doesn’t offend anyone), there was no intercourse involved, nor was there any activity consisting of anal play.

Four weeks after the act I got tested for HIV and tested negative. I have asked the guy about his status and he claims he has no STD’s and is HIV negative. I am planning to re-test at week eight and again at week twelve.

I have two questions. First, how risky was the sexual act I engaged in? Second, what are the odds that when I re-test in week eight I might test positive?

Thank you



Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: anniebc on July 25, 2007, 05:52:46 am
Wolf

This is not an HIV risk, the sexual act you were engaged in was a no risk situation.

Please read our Welcome Thread and follow both the transmission and testing guidelines and lessons.

Jan
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: Ann on July 25, 2007, 06:04:49 am
Wolf,

Frottage is NOT a risk for hiv infection. Neither kissing nor getting a blowjob are risks as saliva is NOT infectious. Even GIVING a blowjob is more a theoretical risk than something that happens in the real world.


Hiv is a very fragile, difficult to transmit virus that is primarily transmitted INSIDE the human body, as in unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse. Once outside the body, small changes in temperature, pH levels and moisture content quickly damage the virus and render it unable to infect. In addition, saliva contains over a dozen different proteins and enzymes that damage this fragile virus.

Along with reading our Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) and following the Transmission Lesson link, here's what you need to know to protect yourself against hiv:

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.

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

Although you do NOT need further testing over this incident, 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 continue to avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

Ann

Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: wolf312866 on July 28, 2007, 09:53:23 pm
Hello again,

Thank you for replying. Your answers have given me some peace of mind.

Now if while we were rubbing our penis'   together there was precum that might have mixed with the lube, would that change the outcome in any way?

Once again, thank you
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: RapidRod on July 28, 2007, 09:55:47 pm
No, that would still not change the fact that you didn't have a risk.
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: wolf312866 on August 04, 2007, 01:25:15 am
Hello it is me again,

I know you guys have told me that there was no risk in the activities I undertook, however I am a bit scare again. I know that one of the initial symptoms oh hiv is bumps in the mouth, and today I noticed a bump on the top portion of my mouth. As you guys could imagine I started freaking out again.

More then anything I want re assurance that I am just worrying too much, and that when I retest in week 8 it will be negative again.

Thank you so much
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: RapidRod on August 04, 2007, 01:30:07 am
You are worrying yourself for no reason.
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: Andy Velez on August 04, 2007, 09:26:18 am
You KNOW that one of the initial symptoms of HIV are bumps in the mouth. REALLY?!

Then you seem to KNOW something we don't. Because I can tell you that neither the presence nor the absence of any symptoms will ever tell you anything accurately about your HIV status.

When there has been a genuine risk, and your incident was not such a one, only an HIV test at 13 weeks past the incident can give you a conclusive answer. The average time to seroconversion iss 22 days. All but the very smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after an exposure to the HIV virus.

I pass this information along only for your general knowledge since the incident you are worrying about absolutely did not put you at risk.

If your "bumps" or whatever continue to trouble you, discuss the matter with your doctor.

Cheers,
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: wolf312866 on August 04, 2007, 09:35:03 pm
Hello to all once again and thank you for all the information.

I had read on a website that when someone zeroconverts they get bumps on the roof of their mouths, so when I felt this small bump on the roof of my mouth, and saw it was red, I started freaking out.

Its been six weeks since the activity, and although I tested negative on week four, I am afraid that I might zeroconvert now.

I talked to the guy again and he reassured me he is negative. He did, however, told me he had been in a long term relationship with a guy but broke up because the guy started having issues with drugs. He tested negative in december, the break up was in september. He also told me that the last time he had been with a guy was two moths before he and I had our encounter, so now i  am having a really hard time concentreting at school, so I need to get my facts straight.

Given the sexual activities I engaged in and the facts I pointed out about the guy, does this change my risks? Also how reliable do you guys think were the negative results at week four?

Thank you for all your insight
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: Ann on August 04, 2007, 10:02:51 pm
wolf,

I've never in my life heard of "bumps" in the mouth being a sure-fire sign of hiv infection. I've never had a bump in my mouth in over ten years of being positive and I didn't get one when I Seroconverted either. There IS no sure-fire sign of infection. Symptoms don't mean a thing. The ABSENCE of symptoms don't mean a thing.

Only testing means anything.

I don't expect your four week negative to change. Neither should you.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse - no matter what you THINK you may know about your sexual partner's hiv status or sexual history. Wear a condom, make sure the other person wears a condom where applicable, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really, really is that simple.



Ann
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: wolf312866 on August 05, 2007, 12:17:57 am
Hello,

I know this is going to sound repetitive, but the thing I feel on the roof of my mouth feels more like a small blister and it looks kind of red. I'm freaking out!
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: RapidRod on August 05, 2007, 06:29:11 am
wolf312866, if you have a concern with the roof of your mouth see your dentist.
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: wolf312866 on August 05, 2007, 01:59:21 pm
RapidRod,

Thank you for the advice about going to the dentist, but do you think it might have anything to do with hiv symptoms?

Thanks
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: Ann on August 05, 2007, 02:05:13 pm
Wolf,

Symptoms or even the lack of symptoms means NOTHING when it comes to hiv infection.

If you're worried about your mouth, see your doctor or dentist.

I don't expect your four week negative to change.

Ann
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: wolf312866 on August 06, 2007, 03:01:57 am
Hello and thank you once again.

Okay so from everything I have read in this forum I've come to conclude that the only sexual activity that actually puts you at risk of contracting hiv is unprotected anal or vaginal sex. Would you guys agree that this statement is correct?

If so this means that all other activities, in my case with another guy, put you at risks for other std's but not hiv. Even if this means (like in my case) frotting with another man, ejaculating around the pubic area, and having pre-cum on each other while the frotting was going on.

Last, that whatever symptoms one might feel they do not necessarily have to be related to hiv, even if you feel bumps on the top portion of you mouth?

Please let me know if the statements I have made seem accurate. And if you can reassure me that my sexual activities are at no risk for hiv.

Thank you, and by this website has been extremely helpful!
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: Matty the Damned on August 06, 2007, 03:12:07 am
Okay so from everything I have read in this forum I've come to conclude that the only sexual activity that actually puts you at risk of contracting hiv is unprotected anal or vaginal sex. Would you guys agree that this statement is correct?

Yes, that's correct.

If so this means that all other activities, in my case with another guy, put you at risks for other std's but not hiv. Even if this means (like in my case) frotting with another man, ejaculating around the pubic area, and having pre-cum on each other while the frotting was going on.

Well STD's such as genital herpes and syphilis can be transmitted via skin to skin contact. So if you come in contact with a lesion or ulcer from one of these conditions it can be transmitted, and it is quite possible for people to have the lesions in areas that are not covered by a condom.

If you're concerned about STD's other than HIV, you should talk to your doctor.

Last, that whatever symptoms one might feel they do not necessarily have to be related to hiv, even if you feel bumps on the top portion of you mouth?

We've already answered this question. Symptoms or the lack of them mean nothing when it comes to diagnosing HIV infection. Many people contract HIV and experience no symptoms whatsoever.

MtD
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: wolf312866 on August 06, 2007, 09:50:55 pm
Hello me again,

So its been seven weeks since my encounter and I went ahead and got tested again. The test was negative, but the place were I got tested at told me I wasn out of the woods until the three month mark and even then four percent of those who will seroconvert don't do so until after three months.

Should I be concerned about seroconverting after this seven week test?

Thank you
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: Matty the Damned on August 06, 2007, 09:55:41 pm
All these numbers mean nothing in your case Wolf. You didn't have a risk to begin with and therefore your 7 week negative result is conclusive.

You're not HIV positive.

MtD
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: Andy Velez on August 06, 2007, 10:48:26 pm
There wasn't any need for testing to begin with. There certainly isn't any need for further testing.

This is all about fear and feelings and has no basis in HIV science. Check out whatever is going on in your mouth with your doctor.

This is NOT an HIV situation. Period.
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: wolf312866 on August 07, 2007, 09:13:07 pm
Hello and sorry to bother you guys with this again.

I am planning to go to the doctor next week to get my mouth checked out. I am kind of nervous to think that it can be herpes, so I was wondering if there is any std that you can get strictly from kissing.

I have never given oral before.

Hope you guys can orient me with this issue and sorry to bother you guys with this again.
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: Matty the Damned on August 07, 2007, 09:16:59 pm
Wolf,

We're an HIV specific website. We may provide some basic information about other STD's along with the answers we give relating to HIV, but if you want in depth information about STD's you should talk to your doctor.

MtD
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: Ann on August 08, 2007, 04:43:20 am
Wolf,

You can also check out The Drama Down Under (http://www.thedramadownunder.info/site.html#/the-bugs) for information on other STIs. It's aimed at Australian gay men, but applies to anyone.

Ann


edited to fix link ::)
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: wolf312866 on August 11, 2007, 12:25:35 am
Hi, I'm posting here again. So I ended up going to the doctor to get an std panel done, ill have the results next week.

As I was reading a threads in the "I jut tested positive" forum, I realized there was a guy who said that his initiative to get tested was after feeling sores in his mouth. So as you might imagine I'm scared again.

The doctor said I had nothing to worry about as far as the sore like bumps in my mouth.

As I wrote on a prior post I tested negative at the seven week mark, which was when I started feeling the bumps. If this bumps were to be ars would I have tested positive at the seven week mark?

Thanks
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: Ann on August 11, 2007, 05:55:16 am
wolf,

Forget about the bumps in your mouth - or show them to your dentist. Whatever they are, they will tell you nothing about your hiv status.

As the vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by SIX weeks, I do NOT expect your result to change if you decide to carry on with testing. Besides, you didn't need testing in the first place, remember? You didn't have a risk.

You ARE hiv negative.

Ann
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: wolf312866 on August 12, 2007, 01:39:14 pm
hi

well it has been concluded that what i have in my mouth is actually thrush. when i look it up online it says that thrush is a major indicator of hiv, so im kind of nervous again.

can it be possible that now that i might be seroconverting im getting this thrush? can thrush be caused by things other then hiv? am i once again worrying over nothing?


Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: Ann on August 12, 2007, 01:49:24 pm
Wolf,

Are you listening to us? You didn't have a risk in the first place. You aren't seroconverting. Your seven week negative result isn't going to change.

You don't have to be hiv positive to get thrush. Were you actually diagnosed by a doctor? If so, you should have discussed possible causes with him/her.

You don't have hiv.

Ann
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: wolf312866 on September 10, 2007, 03:22:55 am
Hello, I am back again .

Its going to be 12 weeks since my encounter witht he guy and five weeks since my last test. I'm planning to re-test sometime this week. As you might imagine I'm getting really nervous again 2with the "what if's." I'm having a really hard time concentrating at school so I need reassurance as far as retesting negative again. Also wanted to ask you guys, if I do test negative should I take this as the conclusive and not have to test again, or will I have to wait until month 6 to be 100% sure?

Thank you guys in advance, you are extremely helpful.
Title: Re: Question and Risk Assessment
Post by: Matty the Damned on September 10, 2007, 05:00:18 am
Hello, I am back again .

Yairs. I had a feeling you would be back Wolf.

Its going to be 12 weeks since my encounter witht he guy and five weeks since my last test. I'm planning to re-test sometime this week. As you might imagine I'm getting really nervous again 2with the "what if's." I'm having a really hard time concentrating at school so I need reassurance as far as retesting negative again. Also wanted to ask you guys, if I do test negative should I take this as the conclusive and not have to test again, or will I have to wait until month 6 to be 100% sure?

Why do you think our answers would change? You didn't have a risk, you don't need to test. As we've told you the window period is 3 months so 6 months is irrelevant no matter what. It's probably time you saw a mental health worker.

MtD