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Author Topic: Was exposed  (Read 6739 times)

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Offline hotelyorba

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Was exposed
« on: December 02, 2010, 04:13:22 pm »
I guess to simplify things for you guys I will just list my encounters, symptoms of ARS, and get your advice. I really appreciate anybody who takes the time to read this:

Encounters:
-November 6. Had somebody give me unprotected oral sex, then I topped him using a condom.
-November 13. Just topped a man using a condom.
-November 15. Had somebody give me a little bit of unprotected oral sex, then I topped him using a condom.
-November 16. Had somebody give me a little bit of unprotected oral sex, then I topped him using a condom.

On Thursday November 25th, I started getting a cold. It got worse, and was pretty bad the next day on Friday (black friday). Then on Saturday it was still with me, but I was also really fatigued as well, esepcially Saturday night. Sunday morning I woke up with a sore throat. Not a normal sore throat, it felt like it was distinctly on one side of my throat (not all over) and I was actually mistaking it for an ear infection. I went to the walk in, and they said they couldn't see anything in my throat or ear, but I found this weird because this HURT. Then by monday I noticed that I had developed 3 bad canker sores in my mouth, and also by Monday was noticing a little bit of muscle aches. Routinely checked my temp, and wasn't worried. But then on tuesday and wed I think the highest it was reaching was 99.4..never above 100. But my muscle aches had also increased, and I felt overall "shitty". Last night, I awoke drenched in sweat, and although I feel a little better today, I still dont feel totally normal. I still had a slight sore throat (nothing like it was) and still have the 3 canker sores. I also noticed abdominal pain yesterday around my spleen, however that is gone today. Also, on the same side of my head area that I had the sore throat, my one gland was swollen in my neck. The other side of my neck did not have swollen glands and I did not have any other swollen glands on the rest of my body. I have had some weird rashes, but nothing crazy. It almost seems like I have had 2 different types of rash, if one of them is even a rash. I also had some itching yesterday, and noticed a hive or two.

I have been FREAKING out that I have ARS. One, because it falls within the "after two week" period, and secondly, because I have so many of the symptoms. When I get colds, I do not generally get all of these other symptoms. I think its important to note that I was receiving little sleep the few before thanksgiving, so I suppose I could have had a weakened immune system. I was tested this past tuesday, and it was negative.

Please, any feedback is welcome. This is driving me insane.
Thanks so much.

Offline hotelyorba

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Re: 18 years old..Please help
« Reply #1 on: December 02, 2010, 04:26:31 pm »
I also should have added that I an not circumcised.

Offline RapidRod

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Re: 18 years old..Please help
« Reply #2 on: December 02, 2010, 04:28:01 pm »
You haven't done anything to put yourself at risk of contracting HIV.

Offline hotelyorba

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Re: 18 years old..Please help
« Reply #3 on: December 02, 2010, 04:30:11 pm »
You haven't done anything to put yourself at risk of contracting HIV.
Thank you for your reply. Are my symptoms those of a typical ARS case though?

Offline jkinatl2

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Re: 18 years old..Please help
« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2010, 04:31:05 pm »
Quote
-November 6. Had somebody give me unprotected oral sex, then I topped him using a condom.
-November 13. Just topped a man using a condom.
-November 15. Had somebody give me a little bit of unprotected oral sex, then I topped him using a condom.
-November 16. Had somebody give me a little bit of unprotected oral sex, then I topped him using a condom.

Protected sex is just that, protected. You do not get HIV for topping someone (or bottoming for someone) with a condom.

Receiving oral sex is not an HIV risk. Saliva contains over a dozen elements that neutralize HIV. Saliva is not infectious. In the history of the pandemic, there have been ZERO confirmed cases of HIV transmission from receiving fellatio . Even GIVING fellatio is considered an extremely low-risk activity.

You do not get HIV from the encounters as you describe them. You therefore cannot be going through ARS
"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 jkinatl2

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Re: 18 years old..Please help
« Reply #5 on: December 02, 2010, 04:35:29 pm »
Thank you for your reply. Are my symptoms those of a typical ARS case though?

ARS presents with symptoms that mimic anything from mild allergies, simple fatigue, to life-threatening fever and rashes on the torso. It is IMPOSSIBLE too diagnose HIV/ARS through symptoms. Even ER doctors get it wrong.

That having been said, you cannot get HIV from the encounters as you describe them.

"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 hotelyorba

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Re: 18 years old..Please help
« Reply #6 on: December 02, 2010, 04:39:34 pm »
ARS presents with symptoms that mimic anything from mild allergies, simple fatigue, to life-threatening fever and rashes on the torso. It is IMPOSSIBLE too diagnose HIV/ARS through symptoms. Even ER doctors get it wrong.

That having been said, you cannot get HIV from the encounters as you describe them.


Ok thanks so much. I know that 3 months is the most correct time to check after an encounter, but what is the minimum time after an encounter that most will be able to test positive? I have read conflicting reports.

Offline RapidRod

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Re: 18 years old..Please help
« Reply #7 on: December 02, 2010, 04:46:12 pm »
Ok thanks so much. I know that 3 months is the most correct time to check after an encounter, but what is the minimum time after an encounter that most will be able to test positive? I have read conflicting reports.
What part of you didn't have a risk is it you don't understand? You don't need an HIV test.

Offline jkinatl2

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Re: 18 years old..Please help
« Reply #8 on: December 02, 2010, 04:47:33 pm »
When you have had a genuine risk, the currently accepted window period is three months.

You have not, of course, had even a  remote risk for 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 hotelyorba

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Was exposed
« Reply #9 on: February 15, 2012, 05:58:06 pm »
I had an encounter with a stranger today. It was primarily oral sex...me receiving and him giving. I did not perform oral sex on him at all. We had anal intercourse (me topping) very briefly...in total less than a minute. I pulled out (like I always do, and the condom was dirty so we stopped). I later did a water test on the condom and it was not ripped at all and had stayed intact. But I also found out from looking at a medicine bottle on his counter that he is positive. I confronted him, whereby he told me his viral load was "little to nothing"...I am still very worried because of the oral sex that I had with him.

What is my risk of contracting the virus?

Thanks so much for the replies

Offline RapidRod

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Re: Was exposed
« Reply #10 on: February 15, 2012, 07:28:12 pm »
I had an encounter with a stranger today. It was primarily oral sex...me receiving and him giving. I did not perform oral sex on him at all. We had anal intercourse (me topping) very briefly...in total less than a minute. I pulled out (like I always do, and the condom was dirty so we stopped). I later did a water test on the condom and it was not ripped at all and had stayed intact. But I also found out from looking at a medicine bottle on his counter that he is positive. I confronted him, whereby he told me his viral load was "little to nothing"...I am still very worried because of the oral sex that I had with him.

What is my risk of contracting the virus?

Thanks so much for the replies
You were never at risk of contracting HIV. HIV is transmitted by;
Unprotected penetrative anal and/or vaginal sex
Sharing works with other IV drug abusers
Mother to child

Offline hotelyorba

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Re: Was exposed
« Reply #11 on: February 15, 2012, 07:36:30 pm »
Ok, thanks for the reply. I am uncircumcised, and sometimes if I had rough sex (oral or anal) the skin can get very "raw", as if it is on the verge of producing a sore. There is not an increased chance of transmission if I am not circumcised when having oral?

Offline RapidRod

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Re: Was exposed
« Reply #12 on: February 15, 2012, 07:38:05 pm »
Ok, thanks for the reply. I am uncircumcised, and sometimes if I had rough sex (oral or anal) the skin can get very "raw", as if it is on the verge of producing a sore. There is not an increased chance of transmission if I am not circumcised when having oral?
No, saliva contains over a dozen different enzymes and protiens that inhibits HIV transmission.

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Was exposed
« Reply #13 on: February 15, 2012, 08:23:17 pm »
Getting oral is one of the most common of sexual activities. In the entire history of the epidemic there has never been even a single confirmed case of transmission to a guy in that manner, no matter what details are thrown into the mix.

It's safe to say you are not going to make history by becoming the first.

No need to worry. Just get on with your life and continue using condoms everytime for anal intercourse.
Andy Velez

Offline hotelyorba

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  • Posts: 8
Re: Was exposed
« Reply #14 on: February 15, 2012, 08:35:40 pm »
Thanks for the replies guys. This is truly a wonderful site, and I cannot put into words the appreciation that I have for you folks.

Is there a way to donate?

Offline Ann

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    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Was exposed
« Reply #15 on: February 16, 2012, 08:27:59 am »
Hotel,

I've merged your new thread into your original thread - where you should post all your additional thoughts or questions. It helps us to help you when you keep everything in one thread. It doesn't matter how long it has been since you last posted in your thread or if the subject matter is different.

If you need help finding your thread when you come here, click on the "Show own posts" link under your name in the left-hand column of any forum page.

Please also read through the Welcome Thread so you can familiarize yourself with our Forum Posting Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation.





I agree with Rodney and Andy - you did not have a risk. You weren't "exposed".

Not one person has ever been infected through getting blown and you won't be the first. Not only is saliva not infectious, but it also contains over a dozen different proteins and enzymes that damage hiv and render it unable to infect.

There have been three 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.

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.

ALTHOUGH YOU DO NOT NEED TO TEST SPECIFICALLY OVER GETTING BLOWN OR PROTECTED INTERCOURSE, 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!


Thank you for your donation offer - much appreciated.

Send a check made out to AIDSmeds.com to...

AIDSmeds.com,
462 Seventh Avenue, 19th Floor,
New York, NY 10018.

Mark the check "forum donation".

Thanks again.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

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Offline hotelyorba

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Re: Was exposed
« Reply #16 on: May 27, 2012, 12:33:49 am »
Hi everybody, I have another question that I need the experts to answer:

I had an encounter tonight that involved the following:
-Making out
-Oral sex

The strange catch is this...after I made out with the person for a while and we stopped for a bit, I noticed what tasted like blood in my mouth (that taste that's very distinct after licking a cut). I didn't really think anything of it. So we continued making out. After that, when I was taking him home, he laughed and said "oh it was so awkward I started having a bloody nose while we were making out but I just sucked it into the back of my throat", so I immediately knew that what I was tasting really was blood in my mouth. I don't need to go into details of why I thought he was sketchy/I trust nobody when it comes to them just telling me their status, but I was wondering if I could have been exposed? I have kept myself pretty educated on HIV, and I know that saliva has enzymes that can kill the virus, and I know that exposure to oxygen can as well, but is it possible I was exposed? I dont have any obvious cuts in my own mouth, but I definitely was tasting his blood in my mouth.

Thanks guys

Offline jkinatl2

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Re: Was exposed
« Reply #17 on: May 27, 2012, 04:08:56 am »
Hi everybody, I have another question that I need the experts to answer:

I had an encounter tonight that involved the following:
-Making out
-Oral sex

The strange catch is this...after I made out with the person for a while and we stopped for a bit, I noticed what tasted like blood in my mouth (that taste that's very distinct after licking a cut). I didn't really think anything of it. So we continued making out. After that, when I was taking him home, he laughed and said "oh it was so awkward I started having a bloody nose while we were making out but I just sucked it into the back of my throat", so I immediately knew that what I was tasting really was blood in my mouth. I don't need to go into details of why I thought he was sketchy/I trust nobody when it comes to them just telling me their status, but I was wondering if I could have been exposed? I have kept myself pretty educated on HIV, and I know that saliva has enzymes that can kill the virus, and I know that exposure to oxygen can as well, but is it possible I was exposed? I dont have any obvious cuts in my own mouth, but I definitely was tasting his blood in my mouth.

Thanks guys

This is becoming exhausting.

You get HIV from having unprotected anal or vaginal sex, and sharing IV drug needles.

Have you done this? If the answer is NO, then there was no HIV risk.

How many times, how many variances on the theme of HIV infection do we need to go through? YOU had NO risk.

"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

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