Just waiting...

[CaitNJulia11]

My relationship just recently ended upon news of my pregnancy, and I fear I may have contracted HIV from someone I thought could have been forever.
Being pregnant, my risk is blatantly obvious, as well as the fact that unprotected sex happened more often than not.
There have been quite a few things that are extremely concerning but little by little I've come to accept them and the possibilities they hold.

Dec 9- annual pap done which revealed positive for high risk hpv.
Dec 27- two horribly painful and itchy bumps on private area
Dec 31- Last exposure with boyfriend
Jan 1- huge canker sore on inside of left cheek
Jan 14- cold sore outbreak on lip accompanied by swollen lymph nodes/fever around 100°F
Jan 20- doc diagnosed me with "viral pharyingitis" upon negative strep swab, swollen tonsils/lymph nodes and fever. I asked for a full std screening. All results negative.

Over the next few weeks I slept a ton, continued to have swollen lymph nodes + 99-100° temp.

Feb 12- positive pregnancy test/pain in breasts (darn hormones)

I've continued to have swollen nodes mainly in my neck and the one behind my left ear is exceptionally hard and painful. I've been on 3 rounds of different antibiotics which have done nothing for me and have had a nasty cold about twice with fever of 102+. I went to the hospital and basic bloodwork said I was low on magnesium, which I received I.v. treatment for. I also had a couple more itchy bumps on my un-mentionables.

I went for my pregnancy orientation and was honest with the nurse and requested the works for blood tests. I should have my results today and I'm really.. well I'm scared. I'm trying to be optimistic though no matter what my results. Any advice, ideas? Anything? I'm trying to attribute this all to pregnancy, but I'm not really doing at very good job at convincing myself.

[Jeff G]

Nothing of the symptoms you mention are in any way specific to HIV and could be caused by anything so do not jump to conclusions that its HIV .

You did the right thing in testing for HIV since you are pregnant and have obviously had unprotected sex . The average time to seroconversion is 22 days. Most who are infected will test positive by 6 weeks. For various reasons a small number will take longer and that is why we follow the CDC recommendation to test at 3 months for a conclusive negative result.

Extra care must be taken when a pregnant woman takes an HIV test because it ups the odds you may get a false positive result . I am betting you will not test poz but if you do be sure to mention false positives and pregnancy to your doctor .

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:

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 the 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. Some of the other STIs can be present with no obvious symptoms, so the only way to know for sure is to test.

Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, and you will avoid hiv infection. It really is that simple!     

[CaitNJulia11]

Your quick response is very much appreciated and I'm extremely relieved to see you say that my symptoms are not worrisome. I've been giving myself to panic over the fear of suggestions of others =(. My doc was telling me I had a right to be concerned as I've also been experiencing weight loss. From Dec until now I've gone from 91lbs. to 83. Perhaps worry and regular colds really are doing a number on me.
I'm sorry for seeming like a major hypochondriac. I'm actually a student working towards my degree in Life Sciences because of my fascination with the human body. Perhaps I know too much..
Thank you very much for your time and I will continue to hope the best for all the wonderful and strong people I've seen here. Am I allowed to post my results for today when I get them?

[Jeff G]

Yes .. save your last post here to update us on the good news that you are negative .

And you are welcome !