Just wanted to make sure

[omgthisisinsane]

Hi!

I am 19 years old female. I lost my virginity to this guy last August. I was wondering if I could be infected with HIV? He never came inside me. Whenever he'd cum, he'd always put it out and put it on my stomach. I was diagnosed by swab test and blood test with HSV2 (genital herpes) last January. Sad, right? I know. And i stopped having sex ever since I got diagnosed. Is it possible that I'm positive for HIV and not herpes in reality? Because they're symptoms are quite similar. I'm just too paranoid. I'm sorry.

Should I get tested? =/

[RapidRod]

You put yourself at risk so test. You can test now and it will be conclusive.

[Ann]

om,

Hiv and herpes are totally different, from the type of virus they are to their modes of transmission. Their symptoms are nothing like each other either. Herpes only needs skin to skin contact to be transmitted. Hiv is a fragile virus that is transmitted INSIDE the human body, as in unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse. Regardless of whether or not this guy came inside you is irrelevant - pre-cum is also infectious. (and pulling out is a lousy form of birth control too!)

You do need to test for hiv and a test now will be conclusive. There is a window period of three months with hiv before you can get a conclusive result, but you're way past that.

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 all three 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 intercoures, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!

Ann

[omgthisisinsane]

Omg I'm really nervous. I'll go to the clinic this Monday to have my blood work done. I Just want a peace of mind! How long do results usually come out?

Well ever since I have started being sexually active, I've only had flu-like symptoms twice and one time of severe headache (my doctor told me it was because i was having my first outbreak for herpes), so is there anyway that those are symptoms of hiv too?

I'm just too paranoid, I'm sorry It's just that Monday seems forever from now! 

[HIVworker]

Pick any other time in your life and you can find flu-like symptoms in there. Also not many people have the flu - it's a disease that totally flaws you - for weeks. I doubt you had anything but a cold.

You should have protected sex from now on. It stops babies too you know...

R

[Ann]

om,

The test results can take anywhere from 20 minutes to two weeks to return, depending on what type of test you have done. A rapid test - blood or saliva - will be 20 minutes and a blood test where they take a whole vial of blood can take anywhere from a day to two weeks, depending on what lab is used and how busy that lab is. You'll need to ask how long it will take when you do the test - or ring beforehand and ask.

If the place you're going says it takes a while, you can go to http://directory.poz.com/ and enter your zip code in the appropriate box to find a clinic near you that does rapid testing.

Just because you ended up with herpes is no reason to believe you've also ended up with hiv. Herpes is MUCH more easily transmitted than hiv.

Good luck - and go get that test!

Ann

[omgthisisinsane]

Yeah I really hope so too. I just wish I knew more about sex before starting to engage in sexual activities. I've definitely learned more about STDs. I've contracted HSV2 genitally only after having sex for 6 months with JUST one partner. So I hope you understand where this paranoia for HIV is coming from. I just wanted to be sure. But yeah, I'm thinking of going celibate now until I marry (yes, really. lol) or totally protected sex forever. I'm that knowledgeable now about it.

So the chances of contracting HSV and HIV at the same time from just one partner is pretty slim?

[Ann]

So the chances of contracting HSV and HIV at the same time from just one partner is pretty slim?

om,

That all depends on whether or not the person you were with is hiv positive. What I'm saying is that just because he had herpes, doesn't mean he also has hiv. Herpes is VERY common, with some estimates being up to 80% of the population has either hsv1 or hsv2. You can get genital herpes (hsv2) on your mouth (lips) and you can also get hsv1 on your genitals. It's probably one of the most common viruses out there.

The ONLY way you're ever going to know your hiv status is to bite the bullet and go get tested. The bottom line is that by having unprotected intercourse before testing together, you have put yourself at risk.

In future, you don't have to be celebate to remain hiv negative. Just make sure he's wearing a condom before he penetrates your anus or vagina with his penis. It really is that simple. Really!

Ann