POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: OCD on April 12, 2009, 08:21:10 pm
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Hello.
I'd like to say thanks you for running these forums, and hope you can help me out.
I recently tested negative 8 weeks after unprotected intercourse with a female friend. I know all about the 13 week rule, but I also suffer from high anxiety and OCD...in counseling...and have had troubles with HIV issue in the past.
I've basically convinced myself that a batch of new black mole, freckle type things that have been popping up on my body the last couple months are symptoms of infection...that these are the lesions I've read about. My dermatologist says it's just part of being an adult. Am I being irrational? I'm trying really hard to stay calm, but it's not working, because I have SERIOUS anxiety issues.
Any informed opinion would help me. Thank you.
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Very irrational. Moles and freckles have nothing to do with HIV.
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OCD,
Your eight week negative result is highly unlikely to change. The vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by SIX weeks, with the average time to seroconversion being only 22 days.
Although you do need to confirm your negative result at the three month point, I don't expect your result to change.
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 intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple.
By the way, we cannot help you with your OCD issues here. See your therapist.
Ann
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Okay Ann and Ron, thank you. One more issue if you could please respond...
My gums are rapidly receding and this is also very new. I can actually see where they have peeled back. I'm going to the doctor's tomorrow, but in the meantime, I'm mentally losing it, and I really do mean that. Is rapid gum recession a sign of infection? Please help. I'm very scared right now.
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OCD,
Gum recession has NOTHING to do with hiv. It's usually the result of not brushing your teeth enough - and it can also be due to brushing too much, with a hard-bristled brush. See your dentist.
Ann