Pretty sure I'm poz, debating when to get tested

[PhillipJames]

I had a high risk exposure during unprotected anal sex with another man three weeks ago. He is poz but undetectable. We've hooked up before, and it's never been an issue. However, I'm worried that he may have missed a dose of his meds. And, it was pretty vigorous sex, so my penis was a bit chaffed. What has me most concerned is that I came down with the flu Monday night. I had a flu shot this year, so it's a bit of a surprise.

Obviously, I need to get tested but I'm trying to figure out the timing. My current health insurance plan expires on Jan 31st and my new plan starts Feb 1. The new plan is a healthcare.gov plan from Kaiser Permanente. Both the current plan and the new KP plan are bronze level and have terrible prescription coverage and high deductibles.

Coming to terms with the notion that I may have HIV is already hard enough. I don't want the added stress of going broke from it. If I get tested with my current plan and I'm positive, will I put myself in a position where my new plan could kick me off or change the terms?

Thanks for the advice,

Jason

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

Flu vaccine is great at reducing the risk of contracting flu, although its not bullet proof. Last years season flu vaccine as example had about a 40% effectiveness.
I do hope you feel better soon.

Regarding HIV, the simple answer is to test, as unprotected intercourse is a risk.
Guidelines are to test 6 weeks post exposure with an approved antibodies test for a result and again at 3 months post exposure for a conclusive result. Remember to test for far easier to acquire STI's whilst you are at it.

If I get tested with my current plan and I'm positive, will I put myself in a position where my new plan could kick me off or change the terms?

I have no idea if your insurance covers pre-existing conditions.

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions. Consider starting PrEP as an additional layer of HIV prevention for the future.

Keep in mind that some sexual practices which may be described as safe in terms of HIV transmission might still pose a risk for far to acquire STI's, so please do get fully tested regularly and at least yearly for all STI's including but not limited to HIV and test more frequently if unprotected intercourse occurs

Also note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms and the only way of knowing is by testing.

More information on HIV Basics, PEP, TaSP and Transmission can be found through the links in my signature to our POZ pages, this includes information on HIV Testing

Kind regards

Jim

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P.S:

He is poz but undetectable

However, I'm worried that he may have missed a dose of his meds

Look for the risk assessments we simply presume someone is HIV positive without treatment, hence the risk assessment outcome that it was a risk and to test.

That said if he truly is on treatment and maintained an undetectable Viral load for 6 months + then in terms of HIV it was protected by his treatment (TaSP) and you simply had no HIV risk to worry about from this encounter.

Missing a dose is not going to change that either, on treatment most of us aim for a 100% adherence, but 95% is gold standard and even that is set on the high side.
Next time use condoms and/or PrEP and then you will not be wondering about it afterwards.

[PhillipJames]

Thank you for the excellent advice and this forum. I agree about the importance of testing and regret if my post made it seem that I was discounting the importance of getting tested. I'm more concerned with the timing with regards to my health insurance.

Generally, I get tested for sti's every 3-4 months and hiv every 1-2 months. I was on PrEp but unfortunately my health insurance changed and the out-of-pocket became unaffordable. If I am fortunate enough to come out of this with a negative test result, I am most certainly going to explore options such as copay assistance for PrEp. One thing I liked about being on PrEp is that I was putting my sexual health in my own hands instead of relying on others.