POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: sickworriedwell on June 07, 2011, 08:04:01 pm
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Hi,
On March 21, 2011, I had sex with a prostitute. I used two condoms - one on top of the other. I used to get rashes on my fingers, back of hand and wrist whenever I was on liquor. I had liquor on Sunday and had rashes developed on Monday. I had sex with the prostitute about 4-5 PM on Monday when I inserted my finger into her vagina with the finger rashes.
Hers was so big that when I lifted her legs, it opened up and I think significant oxygen must have gone inside her vaginal walls. I inserted my index as well as long finger, although for a couple of minutes. I wonder if my rashes looked like slightly painful lumps that could bleed with a red exterior. If there could be a central indent that could have watery substance coming out along with blood. The rashes could also be under the skin but I think I may have had those swollen red lump kind of rashes that we, at the tropics, get during summer.
They were bigger and swollen than normal heat/prickly heat rashes. My wrist had a red patch too, if that could help understand what I have been talking about. Are there chances of contracting HIV through finger rashes coming into contact with vaginal fluids in the way I mentioned? If those central dents and scratching them hard before fingering would pose a risk? I got the rash the following week too after heavy binge drinking. I wiped my hand only to find that only a strong wipe can make it bleed that too very little. That week, it was under the skin. However, the rashes have always had variables in the way they showed up.
Possible ARS Symptoms:
At 23 days, I had three tiny lumps on scrotum, two of which had small hair on top I guess. If it were folliculities, why did it appear between the 2nd and 4th week?
At 29 days, I had three pimple like lumps on penis foreskin on upper side of shaft which made me think, "game over" but they became very fragile within a couple of days or 4 to 5 days. I broke them and they had white core popping out and also had watery discharge. The dermatologist I met for this diagnosis said that if watery substance came out, they were mere glands.
At 30 days, I got a swollen lymph node under my right armpit that still has some swelling even after 11 weeks.
Between 23 and 35 days, I had lack of appetite most of the times. On day 35, my appetite bounced back after my dermat told me there was 0.01% of risk in my exposure. I was relieved. I took very little food these 12 days but preferred liquids and sweet. It was the turn of summer from April 13 to April 25. Could this be the cause?
On day 28, I had a mild flu-like fatigue and had to rest after I woke up. The day before, I had about 11 rounds of excessive bike riding for about a total of 100 kms. I lost appetite too. On days 24, 28, 32, 35, I can remember my lack of appetite well.
On day 36, I showed my dermat again that I had grey build up on my teeth gums. The dermat denied I had it.
On day 42, I noticed white coated tongue with raised taste buds. It is still there after 11 weeks.
Regarding my loose condoms, I did not feel hitting her vaginal wall in her big vagina which made my penis go limp. The condom had rolled back to almost half of my shaft. I removed the condom and masturbated immediately, if that could mean anything. I had blue balls and so I found it hard to ejaculate. I removed the condoms, went inside the toilet and masturbated with the same hands. The fluids from the condom remained on my middle and ring finger.
Could the condom break inside such a big vagina, when I had the penis go limp within minutes or seconds, since I used two together assuming over protection? I had the fear during intercourse, when I didn't feel anything. I thought the condom slipped in. The fear came right after two to three days when I told my Aussie friend about this experience and that I thought I would pass it on to her. I told my OZ friend that I was disgusted by the intercourse I had with a cheap prostitute when I had a fresh girlfriend waiting to get married to me. I fear I will not be able to live with her. I also fear that things have not favoured me due to my hard luck all the time. So, I will not hear the doctors saying "Negative". I think I will hear the lab men say at least a "False Positive". Waiting to be tested after 90 days, but still ruining myself and my job. I am earning no money over this worry for my survival. Please help, not with money but with your answers!
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I also mean to ask if loose condoms would pose a risk?
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First of all, stop doubling up condoms. That actually increases the possibility of breakage occuring. One condom properly worn provides very effective protection against HIV transmission.
None of the activities you have reported put you at risk for HIV transmission. You are worrying needlessly. Your litany of symptoms have nothing to do with HIV. If they persist you should be discussing them with your doctor.
Mixing excessive drinking with casual sex is a risky thing to do. Do one or the other but not both together.
There is no need for HIV testing. This is not an HIV situation. Period.
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Thank you Velez,
You put me at ease. Yes, I have been worrying endlessly. Did you tell me to not use two condoms as a general warning or on assumptions that it could have broken? Is two condom usage breaking statistical or real? I didn't check afterwards but I had them intact. By the way, of course, I did drinking on the night before the encounter. I was not under the influence or feeling tipsy during the encounter. It had given me rashes, I meant to say.
Again, I read your comment on excessive drinking and casual sex as a general comment. It doesn't sound to me as specific. I am being paranoid, I know. Thank you very much for taking your time to read my long post. I do not also want to take anymore of your time, since I understand you have said "Period" at the end and that I did not NEED Testing. You are the second person to say this after Lizzie Lou, if I would be allowed to use her name here or if you are familiar.
I cannot imagine what kind of service you people are into, in the forums as this, Frascino's, and Hunter's. Most of those I read of, including the infected Doctor mentioned above, and those who are dedicated and committed to this noble cause, bring tears in me at times. Although I fully take your words and believe, as you said, that I do not need testing, I will have an actual test to put my mind at ease.
When I do, I will also be into some service and will contribute to the awareness on this epidemic. Sorry for this emotional out pour. The depression I have gone through in the past two months or more make me emotional, to say the least. It has to do more with the guilt, when I think that I have betrayed my beautiful and loving wife-to-be. I believe abstinence is the best but safer sex is always a second best option. Of course, if were to say there could be accidents, there would be no vehicles driven on roads. Thank you very much Andy. Your services have been great. Every bit of reassurance matters to end this chronic depression and I will consider my testing negative as a second chance God has given me.
That will be put to beneficial use than to be put into petty pleasures. I don't want to find others wrong for their orientations but a contributing life would be far more fulfilling and gratifying than momentary pleasures as sex. Thank you very much Andy! You are the modern role-models!
PS:- If using names were not allowed, please edit or delete along with this postscript!
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Sick,
When you use two condoms at the same time, the friction between them can cause them both to break. This didn't happen to you - if it had you'd know. Broken condoms are very obvious, like a broken balloon. If you keep using two condoms at once, sooner or later you're going to experience a breakage. So knock it off.
Condoms - using ONE at a time - have been proven to prevent hiv infection. There have been long-term studies of couples where one is positive and one is negative. In the couples who used condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, but no barrier for oral activities, not one of the negative partners became infected with hiv. Not one.
Fingering, regardless of the presence of cuts, scrapes, rashes or whatever on your fingers, is NOT a risk for hiv infection. Not one person has ever been infected this way and you will not be the first.
As for your litany of symptoms, if you feel unwell, see a doctor. Whatever is going on has nothing to do with hiv as you did not have a risk.
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.
ALTHOUGH YOU DO NOT NEED TO TEST OVER FINGERING OR PROTECTED INTERCOURSE, 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!
Ann
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Thank you Ann,
That was very profound. I didn't see if the condom broke underneath but had the upper side intact. Is it possible for a condom to have one centimeter hole or a one millimeter oblivious to the eye? I didn't know of a condom break that day but it looked intact. I heard a condom break would be like a banana peel but I can't visualize how balloon breaking would be. We're more used to condoms than balloons. Aren't we?
I experimented with a condom now and stretched it horizontally, (while on my penis), the head part, for about 5 to 6 inches and only then it broke. When it broke, it came off my head. Since I stretched, it came off to one side due to the tension. Is it possible for a silent cut to happen due to friction than due to stretching? If I lose erection, is there any possibility of breakage and if the vagina is too big inside? I had the condoms get wrinkled and move a little above on the shaft, since I lost erection due to not feeling it. Is there any possibility of a silent 1 mm or 1 cm breakage that I would not notice?
Thank you very much Ann! I learn you are a volunteer! That's great work you do!
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Sick,
When condoms break, it's VERY obvious. It's not about little holes or "silent" holes. The banana peel analogy is a good one. Believe me, if the condom broke, you would have known. Without doubt.
As for a condom being loose, as long as the head of your penis is covered, you're ok where hiv is concerned. The skin on the shaft of the penis is just like the skin anywhere else on your body and hiv cannot infect through the cells on the surface of the skin.
The bottom line here is that you were not at risk for hiv infection. You were lucky when you used two condoms at once but please, only use one at a time in the future. And make sure you read through the condom and lube links in my signature line. A correctly used condom rarely breaks.
Ann
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Thank you very much Ann,
Thank you very much for taking your time again. I have read your page about condom usage. I am much assured and I feel at ease with some comfort away from the chronic depression I have been with. For the test results to put any little doubt out of my way, I still have only a week to go. 6 days to be precise. I believe in your judgements and words. I believe I am negative. I am going for a test on 22, June, 2011. I will post my results on this page Ann. Thank you very much for your reassurance. I believe I am negative.
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Hi Ann and Andy,
I got tested today after the 85th day mark. I tested negative. I am partly celebrating but is it possible for the antibodies to not appear before 90 days? Since I was on the 85th day, would it appear 5 days later? I have been suffering from haemorrhoids for the past eight years and may have developed cancer in my liver and other stomach parts I suspect, since I have obstructed bowel movement I believe. I am one hell of a hypochondriac I know.
Should I test after 6 months due to my prolonged haemorrhoids and possible cancer in the liver? Will the antibodies show after 6 months or strictly after 90 days due to the cancer illness, even if, hypothetically, it may exist in me? Will the antibodies show up after 5 to 10 days from now? Hope, this is my last post. I also hope that I have had a few doubts than to ask about symptoms or illnesses after a negative result at the 85th day.
I would be glad if either or both of you took your time on this, since I cannot search for these on Google as "Can HIV antibodies appear 5 days after a negative result at the 85th day to the 90th?" Google gets confused but more intelligent human beings like you could understand. Thank you very much for your service Ann and Andy. Looking for your answers!
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Sick,
Stop diagnosing yourself with cancer and bowel obstructions or whatever else your fevered imagination is telling you. If you feel unwell, go see a doctor.
You are more likely to find a winning lottery ticket worth millions lying on your doorstep tomorrow morning than you are to go on to test positive after an 85 day negative. You never had a risk to begin with.
Ann
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Thank you Ann,
It's hightime I rooted for you ;D I take your word by the way.
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Hi Andy,
Though it could be a mere courtesy, I would say a heartfelt thanks for your service. I would also thank Ann for taking the time to answer my hypochondriac questions. I tested negative yesterday. Both of you and RapidRod and others do a great service. Hope to PM you Ann ;)
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Oh no Ann and Andy,
I have a real question suddenly. I took topical antibiotics (excessive) about 35 days after exposure. Then, I took Zosert 50 for fighting my OCD and to have Seratonin secreted. Could these have suppressed my immune system to turn in a false negative result? Can antibiotics be behind an 85 day negative?
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Sick,
No, none of the drugs you have taken will have any effect on your hiv test.
But what part of YOU DID NOT HAVE A RISK do you not understand? You do not need further testing. You do not have hiv.
If you read the Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) before posting like you're supposed to, you will have read the following posting guideline:
Anyone who continues to post excessively, questioning a conclusive negative result or no-risk situation, will be subject to a four week Time Out (a temporary ban from the Forums). If you continue to post excessively after one Time Out, you may be given a second Time Out which will last eight weeks. There is no third Time Out - it is a permanent ban. The purpose of a Time Out is to encourage you to seek the face-to-face help we cannot provide on this forum.
Please consider yourself warned!
Ann
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Oh, I did not wish to get this warning than to PM you. Anyway, Thank you Ann! One doubt or the other keeps popping up but if Antibiotics could suppress immune system for a false antibody negative could be a matter of knowledge which we had not possessed. Thank you very much. Wouldn't expect more of you mods. Thank you :)
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Hi,
Got a 91 day negative again. Thank you all! Counsellors told me to not test again. Thank you all!
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You're welcome. Now get on with your life.
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Oh I did not wish to come back again and take your time with my paranoid fears. I suspect that the syringe used to test me during my 93 day test (negative, on 22/6/2011) was already used. The LT did not open the syringe before my eyes but he opened only the needle before my eyes.
I am worried if that could make me show the opposite result the next time. Ann, Andy, Rapid? Anybody online? Please tell me if it is possible this way. Would there be any benefit for them to reuse syringes? Selling it outside and making money? I mean the staff. Will they? Corruption is high in India from all sectors. So, I fear this. Is there any chance?
Please tell me. I asked the staff and he told me, "There are no second opinions. We always use disposables." But how do I know he didn't reuse? He didn't open it before my eyes. I realized it only later when I went back to get the results an hour later. Ann, Andy or Rapid, Please tell me if it is possible. Thank you very much for your help!
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Oh I did not wish to come back again and take your time with my paranoid fears. I suspect that the syringe used to test me during my 93 day test (negative, on 22/6/2011) was already used. The LT did not open the syringe before my eyes but he opened only the needle before my eyes.
I am worried if that could make me show the opposite result the next time. Ann, Andy, Rapid? Anybody online? Please tell me if it is possible this way. Would there be any benefit for them to reuse syringes? Selling it outside and making money? I mean the staff. Will they? Corruption is high in India from all sectors. So, I fear this. Is there any chance?
Please tell me. I asked the staff and he told me, "There are no second opinions. We always use disposables." But how do I know he didn't reuse? He didn't open it before my eyes. I realized it only later when I went back to get the results an hour later. Ann, Andy or Rapid, Please tell me if it is possible. Thank you very much for your help!
You must keep all your thoughts questions and comments in your original thread. (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=38316.0) This helps us follow your story and allows us to give you the most accurate advice.
If you cannot find your original thread, please click the red link I have posted above. Alternatively you can use the "Show own posts" link which appears in the uppermost left hand column on any forum page.
Your questions will not be answered unless you return to your original thread
Please take the time to read our Welcome Thread (http://forums.poz.com/index.php?topic=220.0) and familiarise yourself with the posting guidelines.
MtD
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I understand Matt but it is already in the thread. Do you want it copy pasted again in my original thread?
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I've merged your threads here. As Matty has reminded you we have a firm rule that all entries are to be in the same thread.
Your latest fears are all about what ifs and nothing grounded in actual facts.
We're not going to indulge in another bunch of back and forths. I am giving you a 28 day time out from the site. HIV is not your problem. If you can't accept that then get some professional help. We cannot provide that in this setting.
Don't make the mistake of trying to get around the Time Out by creating a new name here. We'll spot that right off and it will get you banned permanently.
HIV is not your problem. Period.