Steps I need to take following unprotected sex

[Maker]

I made a really stupid mistake last night. I hooked up with another man and had unprotected anal sex. I was the insertive partner. I have read many of the existing threads so I have some idea of the risks and the steps. But I wanted to clarify.

First, unprotected anal, even as the insertive partner, is the highest risk. While not as high as the “bottom”, I have still put myself at risk. Just how great is my risk?

Symptoms don’t matter and can’t even be considered until at least two weeks from exposure. I should get tested at about 3 months regardless of any symptoms I may or may not have. 

Is there anything else I can or should do until I get tested in 3 months?

In the future, if I’m lucky to overcome this mistake, I’ll need to use protection so I don’t put myself at risk again.

Please let me know if there’s anything I am missing or need to know. Thank you in advance.

[Jim Allen]

Last night?

Not sure what country you are located in.

However, you could consider Post Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). It's a course of medication that aims to prevent HIV, it's highly effective but must be started within 72 hours post exposure and preferably sooner, some clinics will not provide it post 48 hours.

So upto you but if you want PEP see your healthcare provider now, this might mean visiting the ER (A&E) or a clinc.

[Jim Allen]

First, unprotected anal, even as the insertive partner, is the highest risk. While not as high as the “bottom”, I have still put myself at risk. Just how great is my risk?

Oh that's easy, somewhere between zero and 25+. Zero if the other person didn't even have HIV or are successfully on treatment, or it could be as bad as 25 or higher if they are newly living with HIV or end stage, could be higher again if you already have a preexisting STI and so on.

So nobody on earth will be able to calculate your individual odds.

You had a potential real-world risk that meets all the biological and environmental conditions required to aquire HIV. That's all that can be said with any certainty.

[Jim Allen]

So, if you start PEP, then test to confirm your HIV status six weeks after finishing PEP with a blood draw (lab) HIV antibody test. A non-reactive result at that time would rarely change, and retesting at three months is generally unnecessary.

If you don't start PEP, test to confirm your HIV status six weeks after exposure with a blood draw (lab) HIV antibody test. A non-reactive result at that time would rarely change, and retesting at three months is generally unnecessary.

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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[Jim Allen]

P.s forgive the spelling and grammar. Out and about this evening so typing on my phone and I don't have reading glasses with me.

[Maker]

Thank you for the messages and information. Regardless of the outcome, I've certainly learned my lesson.

Two weeks post-possible exposure, I have a sore throat, stiff neck, body aches, slight fever, runny nose, and a bit of a dry cough. While I know symptoms mean nothing, it's not helping my anxiety that at days 13 and 14, I started feeling this way.

It's going to be a long four weeks. I'll post at that time when I actually know something.

[Jim Allen]

sore throat, stiff neck, body aches, slight fever, runny nose, and a bit of a dry cough.

Not HIV specific at all, some of it has nothing to do with HIV regardless of your HIV status.

So, instead of stressing about it, see your healthcare provider and treat whatever is making you feel unwell. I hope you feel better soon.

It's going to be a long four weeks. I'll post at that time when I actually know something.

Don't if it's about a non-reactive HIV test result, as there is no need, and to be frank, i don't want to hear or have posts about non-reactive HIV test results.

Thank you for the messages and information

You're welcome.