POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: Varian on August 21, 2012, 08:04:47 am
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Hi there,
I am a gay male aged 23. On Saturday evening I met a guy (aged 22) and we had sex, we did use a condom for the majority of the encounter but he did 'dip' the full length of his cock inside me but then took it out. Likewise I did the same to him. We had unprotected oral too. He said he was free of STI's and neg.
Yesterday morning I met another guy and I was the top where I penetrated this guy without protection (full intercourse) but I didn't cum inside him. This guy was 21, also said he was free of STI's and neg.
What should I do? After yesturdays encounter I went to the clinic and got tested although I know it takes longer than this for anything to show. My question is do you think I need PEP, time is running out. Some solid advice would be very greatful.
Thank you.
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First of all, you need to stop having unprotected anal intercourse. It is high risk for HIV, although somewhat less risky for the insertive partner. But still risky. And now you've done it for a second time within a very short period of time.
If you are going to do PEP it has to be within 48-72 hours after a risk. And the earlier the better in terms of potential effectiveness.
What someone tells you about their negative status is totally irrelevant. Even a well meaning person doesn't necessarily know his status accurately. And remember, both of these guys were allowing you to fuck without a condom. That doesn't engender confidence in my mind about their negative status.
Should you do PEP? That's up to you of course. Given that the second incident was full on intercourse, I would say yes.
And from here on in you need to use a condom everytime. No exceptions, period. Fun sex is fleeting. HIV is forever.
If you decide to do PEP, you need to get tested at 3 months after the completion of PEP to get a conclusive negative result.
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Thanks for your reply. I know I have been stupid and I need to take a look at my life and change things.
I was actually given PEP yesterday (Kaletra, Truvada), I went straight after the encounter in the morning. I took 3 last night as I wasn't sure to actually take them after the horrible side effects I read.
Wasn't sure whether to continue because I don't know if I had enough risk. Anyway, had diarrhea since but that's all...should the side effects get worse? I took 2 Loperamide pills they gave me maybe that will help. It freaks me out that I have to take these meds really, I just hope I don't have to again. If the side effects get too bad i'm stopping though, no point killing myself with these drugs when I probably don't even have it.
Thank you.
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Some have very few side effects and often those side effects taper off. In any case they won't "kill" you. And weighed against the protection they give, well you decide what matters most.