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Author Topic: Low risk or no risk?  (Read 3697 times)

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Offline Wondering5

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Low risk or no risk?
« on: October 27, 2011, 07:22:28 pm »
I'm a female and I've recently become concerned, because I have been getting sick very often, that I may have been exposed to HIV during a sexual encounter about five years ago. I had a boyfriend (STD status unknown) for a couple of weeks and we kissed, he performed oral sex on me and rubbed his penis on the outside of my vagina.

A couple of weeks later, I had a small sore on my labia which went away in a couple of days. I had an STD screening which came back negative and I imagine it was just a clogged pore or ingrown hair, which happens sometimes. My question is, did any of the activities we engaged in put me at risk in any way for HIV? Would a sore on my labia have any relation to the symptoms of early HIV infection?

Thanks in advance for any words of wisdom!

Offline RapidRod

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Re: Low risk or no risk?
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2011, 07:39:50 pm »
You never had a risk of contracting HIV in any of the situations that you have provided.

Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Low risk or no risk?
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2011, 08:41:58 am »
Wondering,

The only proven risks for hiv infection are unprotected anal and/or vaginal intercourse.

Hiv does not cause genital sores. Herpes and syphilis DO cause genital sores and aren't always picked up, particularly if you test too soon. Syphilis shares a three month testing window with hiv.

If you have had unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse with ANYONE, then you have had a risk and you do need to test. However, in the situation you brought to us, nothing occurred that would have put you at risk for hiv.

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.

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!

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline Wondering5

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Re: Low risk or no risk?
« Reply #3 on: May 10, 2012, 04:37:25 pm »
So I have begun thinking again - I made an appt for testing next week, but wanted to ask in the meantime - if the sore I got meant that I contracted syphilis, does that increase my chances of getting HIV through the activities I mentioned? I read that having syphilis majorly increases transmission risk. Please calm the mind of yet another anxious individual, if you have a moment. Thank you!

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Low risk or no risk?
« Reply #4 on: May 10, 2012, 06:31:27 pm »
If you test positive for syphilis it does not mean you are more likely to also get HIV.

If you had an active case of syphilis PRIOR to having had unprotected vaginal or anal intercourse, that would make you more vulnerable because it would mean your immune system was weaker. But nothing you have reported of your sexual activities would have put you at risk for HIV.
Andy Velez

Offline Wondering5

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  • Posts: 3
Re: Low risk or no risk?
« Reply #5 on: May 15, 2012, 10:36:37 am »
Thanks so much! That helps a lot. I just want to confirm, there's no need for me to ask for an HIV test when I go in this week for my std screening. I assume that if they questioned me on my history they wouldn't suggest an HIV test for me. Is that right? Thank you again!

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Low risk or no risk?
« Reply #6 on: May 15, 2012, 12:10:17 pm »
I don't know who you will talking with and I won't speculate as to what they may suggest regarding testing.

But as you have been told repeatedly, nothing you are reporting in your activities put you at risk for HIV.
Andy Velez

Offline Ann

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  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Low risk or no risk?
« Reply #7 on: May 16, 2012, 07:47:17 am »
Wondering,

I'm wondering too - wondering if you bothered to read my response to you the other day. Specifically the part where I said...


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.



Hiv testing is not something to be afraid or ashamed of. However, it IS the ONLY way to accurately know your hiv status. Unless you've tested, you can only assume.

Wouldn't it be nice to have that negative result in front of you in black and white?

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

 


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