Yet another Am I Infected Concern!!

[maketime115]

Good Morning Everyone,

  I would just like to say upfront that I appreciate everything you are all doing here as it is not just some form of "ask jeeves" it is all a great source of information to make people more aware of HIV and how to prevent it.

Now to my am I infected post:

1. I had an encounter with massage parlor woman 11 weeks ago and the activities were:
        a. Mutual Masturbation (unprotected)
        b. Breast sucking
        c. Received Oral (unprotected)
        d. Vagina Intercourse (Protected) me on top for a very short period (I have zero stamina....)

A few concerns, as I have read multiple posts before mine but still a little concerned, I understand the a-d is not a risk in terms of previous research on these forums. But I still have concerns around the vaginal intercourse:
 
 a. I recall the condom laying on the bed out of its package (no sign of use but just opened) she was either great at opening it while I wasn't looking or it was just sitting there. My only concern is that it was sitting in a cold room and caused the latex to become brittle which could cause cracks(?)
  b. Right before intercourse she had lubed up the upper half of the condom before insertion.
  c. After I ejaculated I inspected the condom before removing and it wasn't dangling or ruptured per say and all of the semen seemed to have been "caught".

Now it seems all well besides my symptoms that started the following week after the incident:
      -Sore throat (Lasted a day)
      - Coughing
      - Confusion, Dizziness (for about a week)
      - stuffy nose
      - PNDrip that has lasted since I had gotten sick

 Since then I have demonstrated the following:
       -High Anxiety
       -Depression
       -tense and sore jaw, throat, neck muscles
       -seemingly painful lymph nodes (maybe just muscular tension?)
       -Itching in crease behind knees (rash behind knee) and scalp/ears
       -Cracked lips
       -Athletes foot
       -Tingling sensations (Neuropathy?)

Just for additional information:
   a. I had a yearly checkup 8 weeks after the event and had standard blood work done.
  b. I did not specifically request a test for HIV so I am unsure if it would have even been caught in the tests.
  c. My doctor did look me over and I explained my symptoms and he said that everything looks good in my blood and there is no sign of infection since my platelets were all within normal range. (if that is useful information here?)

Again, I am just looking for assurance or any type of knowledge you all can provide at all. I apologize for the lengthy post in advance, it is just my intention to create as much information as possible for other people in my situation so they won't have to post another thread if possible.

[jkinatl2]

Hello!

I am sorry you are experiencing discomfort. You can rule out HIV as the culprit however, as none of the activities you report was in any way a risk for HIV.

You wore a condom for penetrarive vaginal sex, which is all you need to do to avoid HIV.

A condom will not become brittle from loitering, opened, on a table. Latex does not crack when subjected to room temperature. The sex worker uses condoms to protect herself from you, primarily. She knows more about discretely opening a condom wrapper (and applying lubricant) than you are likely to know.

You were protected fom HIV in the encounter you described, and as long as you wear a condom for penetrative vaginal and anal intercourse you will be protected from HIV. It really is that simple.

[maketime115]

Thank you for your prompt response, I am just flipping out. On another note what can I do to help the community? I am at the point in my life where I need to find a cause to pay forward everything I have begotten, and I believe this is one of those as sinful as it may be portrayed it is indeed just another form of sickness no different then cancer or the flu.

[Andy Velez]

There's no need for flipping out because as you have been told you did not have a risk for HIV. Period.

As for helping the community, you can contact any AIDS service organization in your area. They always need volunteers. And if you want to make a donation, you can send whatever amount to:

AIDS MEDS. com
462 7th Avenue
New York NY 10018  19th floor

Now take a big slow breath and get on with your life.

[maketime115]

Well I am back, after constant anxiety over this occurence and it is getting the best of me. So I have decided that I need to test to ease my pyschological concerns. Now my question is around the types of test available:

1. Are the Ora Swab Instant Result kits accurate (it has been 5 months since the incident)

2. Are there any other forms of anonymous testing available?

Thanks again for all of your help.

[Jeff G]

Well I am back, after constant anxiety over this occurence and it is getting the best of me. So I have decided that I need to test to ease my pyschological concerns. Now my question is around the types of test available:

1. Are the Ora Swab Instant Result kits accurate (it has been 5 months since the incident)

2. Are there any other forms of anonymous testing available?

Thanks again for all of your help.

The oraquick test is accurate and you can rely on the results . Keep in mind you didn't have a risk and if this is your only concern in the last 3 months the negative results will be conclusive and you can then move on and put this behind you .