POZ Community Forums
HIV Prevention and Testing => Do I Have HIV? => Topic started by: CautiouslyCurious on April 28, 2024, 05:09:57 am
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Hi all.
Bit anxious.
So I had sex with a few guys in the space of a few days. I was bottom each time Condoms every time which as far as I know remained intact. Lots of oral both ways unprotected however.
I was already booked in for a test 10 days after the last exposure with blood being drawn and sent to a lab. This was negative.
3 weeks on from last exposure I've got a few symptoms that might just be a cold but I'm freaking out because I know the test likely wasn't reliable at this stage, but the centre need me to wait another 3 months before I can test again.
Is there any chance I caught hiv?
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HIV is transmitted by unprotected anal/vaginal sex or by sharing needles.
In your situation, you said condoms were used each time (and condoms that fail/break tend to be easily noticed as they really fall apart), so you did NOT have a risk.
Remember to keep using condoms, and maybe consider PrEP as another layer of protection.
Have a great day,
Michael
Reducing Your HIV risks:
With no exceptions, use condoms correctly and consistently for anal or vaginal intercourse
Talk to a healthcare provider about PrEP as another layer of protection
Get tested yearly for HIV and other STIs.
If you don’t use condoms and/or PrEP, test more frequently
Some sexual practices described as safe in terms of acquiring HIV still pose a risk for other more easily acquired STIs. It is possible to show no signs or symptoms from an STI so testing is the only way to know.
Get tested at least yearly for STIs, including but not limited to HIV, and more frequently if condomless intercourse occurs.
What’s the ONLY way to know if you’ve been infected by HIV or an STI?
Get tested.
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Thanks that's somewhat reassuring but condoms aren't 100% effective though are they, or are they - unless they obviously break?
Sorry if this is a stupid question but my understanding was its never zero risk.
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Asked and answered already.
In your situation, you said condoms were used each time (and condoms that fail/break tend to be easily noticed as they really fall apart), so you did NOT have a risk.
HIV can't be transmitted through an intact latex, polyisoprene or polyurethane condom. Unless a condom obviously fails during intercourse, there is no reason to be stressing about HIV or testing for HIV outside the standard yearly HIV screening.
So you had no HIV risk, plenty of risk for far easier to transmit STIs but no need to panic everytime you have sex, just get an STI screening yearly and vaccinated against HPV, hepatitis A & B if possible.
Please don't post about this again, thank you.