POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: AC on July 29, 2006, 09:58:56 pm
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On May 31st i had an encounter with a man of unknown status. I didn't have sex, however, he fingered me. I believe he may have inserted his precum into me while fingering me. He also put his finger into my mouth, which had my vaginal secretions on it, and possibly his precum. A couple days later, i began to feel certain sensations in my lungs, such as itching and a mint sensation. Exactly 2 weeks later, my throat became extremely swollen. A couple days later, my lymph nodes got swollen and were so for about 1.5 weeks, then came back 1 week later lasting for another 2 weeks. I went to the hospital that week feeling really sick, and faint, and there they said it looks viral. I also got two symmetrical bumps between my thighs, which at first i thought were mosquito bites. I noticed at night i would feel as though things were biting me all over. Around the 20-26 of June, i got extremely weak, couldn't sleep or eat, and one night, my arms and legs were completely listless. I also felt as though i had a fever, but didn't. WIth the onset of the illness, i began seeing flashes of light and became mildly photophobic. I've had a nasal drip since jan. which has gotten worse. I often have sinus pressure, burning smells, and headaches that feel like my brain is swelling. At night, i noticed that the flashing lights get worse and are accompanied by ear ringing and shortness of breath- sometimes heart palpitations as well. I also have occasional nausea, diarheaa only one day. I also developed a growth in my mouth that the dentist determined to be bone deposit. My tongue bed has swollen sections on the left- where i think he put the finger. I had a rash that began under my chin on July 4th-8th that spread to my neck. I also have a I've been sick now for 6 weeks, with the flashing lights, ear ringing, sore throat, sensation of heat coming from the lungs and stomach, Fatigue and weakness persisting.
Is it possible for so many symptoms to arise upon primary infection with HIV?
Would they last this long?...I've had numerous bloodtests thus far with all negative results. HIV test at 3-4 weeks after the incident was negative as well. I know I've never had the best immune system- I also have herpes, and vaginosis. All feedback is appreciated. THanks- sorry, I wasn't aware i had to start my own thread.
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I forgot to mention that he was masturbating and his precum may have touched my vagina+ its secretions. He was attempting to put his penis in my vagina without a condom and i jumped back- but i'm not sure if there was contact.
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AC,
You were not at risk for hiv infection in anything you describe. As long as you use condoms for penetrative sex (anal or vaginal) you will avoid hiv infection.
I would like to invite you to read our riveting, action packed "Welcome" thread at the top of this "Am I Infected" forum, along with the associated links. There's a lot of good information on the REAL risks for hiv infection, and how to avoid them.
That said, sexually active and responsible adults should test for all STD's at least once (if not twice) a year as part of routine health care.
Morgan
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Thanks Morgan. I did read the welcome however, I was enquiring because i was advised by the hiv/aids hotline where i'm from that the virus can survive in air for under a minute and that if precum from his penis did touch my vagina and was pushed into me with whatever, i could be at risk- because i already have an std+ he's uncircumsized. Thanks for your feedback.
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AC,
Hiv is successfully transmitted INSIDE the human body, as in unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse. What occured with you happened OUTSIDE the body and is not a risk. Hiv is very fragile and once outside the body, the bits on the surface of the virus that are responsible for transmission become unusable - and therefore unable to infect. It's not a matter of the virus being "alive" or not, it's a matter of it being able to infect.
What you did can be considered mutual masturbation and frottage. Neither is a risk for hiv infection. These activities CAN be a risk for other STIs, but not hiv. The other STIs are MUCH more easily transmitted and as a result, they are much more common.
You didn't have a risk. Here's how to keep safe and hiv free in future:
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.
Have a look through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can make sure your fella is using them properly. While you're on either of those pages, have a look through the bottom three links in the left-hand column. They discuss ways that you, as a woman, can protect yourself. I recommend the female condom as they are also excellent barriers against hiv infection, and importantly, they give YOU the control over condom use. They can even be put in place in advance so you're not fumbling around at the crucial moment. They're fiddly to use at first, but if you can put a tampon in, you can use these. It gets easier with practice. Give them a try.
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.
One more time, you didn't have a risk for hiv infection in anything you brought to us.
Ann
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Thank You for your reply. This is a very helpful and informative site. You, and everyone else who is doing there best to educate people about this virus, the stereotypes that accompany it etc is doing a great thing for the world. Thanks again for your feedback.
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You're welcome AC,
But the best thank-you you can give us is to remember that condoms must be used until you are in a relationship where it is reasonable to get tested together - provided you both test negative of course. Do try to check out the female condom as well - because it can be like pulling teeth to get some fellas to wear a condom.
Please also make sure your friends and family know about hiv too. Education is our best tool against this virus. In particular, make sure your girlfriends know they need to make sure condoms are being used. Some young women think that the Pill will protected them against STIs - it doesn't. It only protects against pregnancy.
And don't worry any more about your incident in relation to hiv. Just make sure condoms are always being used for intercourse and you'll stay hiv negative.
Ann
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Hi all,
I was advised by this forum that my exposure was essentially no risk, however, still tested on the advice of my doctor- who insists that having precum inserted into my vagina manually was a risk. I tested negative at 9 weeks :) This forum has informed me that testing over 6 weeks is a good indicator of your status, yet my doc makes it seem irrelevant. Is he right?
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I submit that since your doctor's opinion regarding HIV transmission vectors is drastically different than the current state of the science, his advice regarding testing may also differ from the established norms.
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AC,
Your 9 week negative test result is HIGHLY unlikely to change. And your risk was barely theoretical (as in non-existent).
I think you can relax on this one.
Morgan
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THanks For the Response guys. :) There is just so much conflicting info being thrown at me. I take comfort in your advice.
THanks again