Can you help?

[TiredFella]

Hello.

First of all I would like to say that I use condoms in all my relations, and I have not had any episodes of condom breakage or slippage.

The only notable episode was when in a casual encounter, my partner bled a little, but it was only on the tip of the condom, where I quickly washed the tip of the condom with soap and water (with the penis still erect) and removed it after it was dry.

But lately I've been catching a lot of flu and colds, something that was not normal for me until recently, in the period of 4 months, I had 3 episodes of flu, including fever, another thing that was not normal for me.

I practically had the flu every month, I wonder if this might have some connection with some infection that I am not aware of.

I am afraid that I have caught something even though I take care of myself and use condoms in all relationships, anxiety really destroys the body.

Can you help me?

[Jim Allen]

HIV can't transmit through an intact latex or polyurethane condom. Bit of blood on the condom makes no difference, and unless a condom obviously fails during intercourse, there is no reason to be stressing or testing for HIV outside the standard yearly HIV screening.

Despite condom usage, there are risks for easier to aquire STIs, but that's another story and no reason to panic either; get an STI screening out of standard routine yearly.

Here's what you need to know to reduce your HIV risks:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse correctly and consistently, with no exceptions. Consider talking to your healthcare provider about PrEP as an additional layer of protection against HIV

Keep in mind that some sexual practices described as safe in terms of acquiring HIV still pose a risk for other easier-acquired STIs. So please do get tested at least yearly for STIs, including but not limited to HIV, and more frequently if condomless intercourse occurs.

Also, note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms; testing is the only way to know.

Kind regards

Jim

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[TiredFella]

Many thanks for the quick reply.

Now that I know that these recurring colds and flu have nothing to do with HIV, I'm going to get tested for other STIs or even make an appointment with a doctor.

Again, thank you so much, it will put my mind at ease

[Jim Allen]

Look, I have no idea what is causing your colds, most commonly, it would be a rhinovirus or a coronavirus, adenovirus or an enterovirus.

Anyhow, as you are sexually active, get an STI & HIV screening out of the standard routine yearly.

[TiredFella]

Thanks for the answer.

I want to thank you for the work done here in this forum, without the support of all of you there would be many hypochondriacs thinking that they have HIV when it is not the case.

I'm going to schedule the exams, I'm close to the date of one year since the last exam.

So, have a great day.

[Jim Allen]

You're welcome.