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Author Topic: Do I still need to be worried about a 1-time exposure?  (Read 4261 times)

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Offline shouldibeworried2

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Do I still need to be worried about a 1-time exposure?
« on: June 10, 2007, 06:13:44 pm »
July 2005 I had a one-night episode of unprotected vag. and anal sex with a man of unknown status; bleeding did occur. 30 days later tested for trich, syph., herp. 1/2, gonhorrea, hpv (visual diagnosis); all neg. except for herp. 1. 7 weeks later had 1 day of light fever followed by a 10-day cold. 75 days after the unprotected episode tested for HIV 1/2 with OraQuick Advance gum swab test; negative. No symptoms of early HIV infection that I can recall. Six months later developed rash on face; one slightly raised brownish-red round spot that eventually faded in the middle to show a malformed red ring on the outside. Derm. prescribed hydrocortisone cream; rash spread to other side of face and a few spots on my torso, upper arms, and shoulders. Took oral anti-fungal for 8 weeks; rash cleared up. For 8 months after that I had very tender, non-swollen lypmh nodes around my breasts but armpits, groin, and neck were fine; tenderness finally disappeared. During that time I had soreness near spine, in leg muscles, frequent twitches. 2 outbreaks of oral herp. for first time. Gastrointestinal issues in last year; frequently loose stools, lots of bloating/gas, and occasional bouts of diahrrea. Now worried because partner (negative for std's before we met, and only person I have been with since testing) now has tender lymph nodes around his breasts (non-swollen) in the exact same areas that I did, is having the same digestive issues, as well as sore thighs and muscle twitches. I am 99% confident that my 11 week test was conclusive, given that I did not have any symptoms during that time, but I am wondering if I should test again 2 years later or not? I have had 2 normal pap smears and 3 normal CBC's since 2005, and am currently healthy expect for the gastrointestinal issues, which come and go. I would appreciate any comments!

Offline Ann

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Re: Do I still need to be worried about a 1-time exposure?
« Reply #1 on: June 10, 2007, 06:54:53 pm »
should,

It's highly unlikely that your nearly eleven week negative would change, but if it would put your mind at rest, go ahead and test so you can collect your negative result and move on.

Unless you and your boyfriend have tested together in the context of a securely monogamous relationship, you should be using condoms to protect yourself.

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 STIs together. To agree to have unprotected intercourse is to consent to the possibility of being infected with a sexually transmitted infection. Sex with a condom lasts only a matter of minutes, but hiv is forever.

Have a look through all three 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.

And by the way, symptoms, or even the lack of symptoms, mean nothing where hiv is concerned. Only hiv antibody testing at the appropriate time will reliably inform you of your hiv status.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

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"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline shouldibeworried2

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Re: Do I still need to be worried about a 1-time exposure?
« Reply #2 on: June 10, 2007, 08:50:47 pm »
Ann,
Thank you for your response....my partner tested negative for STI's after his last partner and before we started having unprotected sex. I did not think that I had caught anything from my 1-time exposure, but I did the 75 day test just to make sure. In light of my gastrointestinal issues, it made me a little worried that my test was not at the full 3 months.

I may get another test next month when I go in for my annual pap smear....do you really think it will be negative?

Offline Ann

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Re: Do I still need to be worried about a 1-time exposure?
« Reply #3 on: June 11, 2007, 03:46:29 am »
should,

As long as everything you are reporting is accurate, then yes, I fully expect another negative result. You really only need to test again if that's what it takes to put this firmly behind you, so you can move on with your life.

Ann
Condoms are a girl's best friend

Condom and Lube Info  

"...health will finally be seen not as a blessing to be wished for, but as a human right to be fought for." Kofi Annan

Nymphomaniac: a woman as obsessed with sex as an average man. Mignon McLaughlin

HIV is certainly character-building. It's made me see all of the shallow things we cling to, like ego and vanity. Of course, I'd rather have a few more T-cells and a little less character. Randy Shilts

Offline shouldibeworried2

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Re: Do I still need to be worried about a 1-time exposure?
« Reply #4 on: June 13, 2007, 09:23:23 pm »
Ann (and everyone else!)
I scheduled an std screening for the end of next week. I do not have peace of mind right now because of the loose stools in the morning for the past 8 months. So I will ask the OB/GYN about that, and get my annual checkup as well as the HIV test. I am hoping the loose stools are just from anxiety and that my 11-week test was accurate and the followup will be negative as well.

I'll post an update later....

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Do I still need to be worried about a 1-time exposure?
« Reply #5 on: June 14, 2007, 08:09:41 am »
All but the very smallest number of those who are going to seroconvert will do so within 4-6 weeks after an exposure to the HIV virus. The average time to seroconversion is 22 days.

So with a negative at 11 weeks I certainly expect you will continue to test negative.

Cheers,
Andy Velez

Offline shouldibeworried2

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Re: Do I still need to be worried about a 1-time exposure?
« Reply #6 on: June 28, 2007, 04:19:31 am »
Ann and Andy,
Got the results back today....Negative! I wish I had not waited this long for this kind of peace of mind! Thank you for all the good work you do with this forum; your encouragement made a big difference to me. I will always remember the mantra: Symptoms don't mean anything!

Thanks so much!

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Do I still need to be worried about a 1-time exposure?
« Reply #7 on: June 28, 2007, 10:09:08 am »
Congrats on that happy result.

Celebrate by committing to always, ALWAYS using a condom everytime you have intercourse so you don't have to go through this kind of fearful experience again.

Cheers,
Andy Velez

 


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