Another anxious person with a question

[Jon70]

My Story:

I had sex on holiday about six weeks ago with an unknown girl. This was protected with a latex condom for the duration, However I did notice up to one day prior to this encounter a small spot or sore that was open at the back of my penis. I never really thought about it until now. May be paranoia but this would have been in a postion potentially not covered by the condom. what is the risk of infection?

I have since have had sore throats and flu like symptoms including white spots on my tongue and cold chills on and off for the past 4 weeks. I know it is not possible to tell infection from symptoms and many people around me have had flu and sore throats.

I have visited a GUM clinic in the UK for all the STI tests at 41 days after this encounter. The Hiv test will take a week and a half to find the results. I was told I had NSU (Non-specific urethritis) and am on medication to clear this up. I asked alot of questions during this visit and was disappointted that they did not provide much information or reassurance. In fact it was a fight to get any information at all which does not help. Typical NHS in the UK. They just said you will need to do another test at the 3 month mark.

I have read the literature on HIV transmission and many posts and forums on this issue I am just not sure if my specific case has been answered. I just need advice on my risk as I am terribly worried. Your assistance is appreciated.

Many Thanks

[Ann]

Jon,

You wore a condom and therefore were not at risk for hiv infection. I would imagine you were told to come back for confirmation of your hiv results at three months more out of a safe than sorry attitude - in other words, just in case you had unprotected intercourse and aren't owning up to it.

The vast majority of people who have actually been infected with hiv will seroconvert and test positive by six weeks - and your test is very nearly six weeks. I'm fully expecting your result to return with negative results, based on what you have told us. (yes, I read the bit about the sore)

I would say that as long as you are confident condoms were used each time you had intercourse, you don't really need to confirm your results at the three month point. Condoms have been proven to prevent hiv infection.

And just a little reminder: 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. Sex with 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 and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple.

Ann

[Jon70]

Thank you very much Ann for taking the time to respond. I value you response highly. You and other responses in this forum about cuts and sores have helped relieve most of my worry and it has been truly educational. I still however have this little gremlin in my mind that keeps trying to convince me otherwise against all the facts until I here those test results. Thats something I just have to deal with.

Thank you once again......