uk mum needing reassurance

[jem]

Hi,

I would really appreciate any comments.

My child was bitten quite badly (punctured and scraped) by an unknown child, whose guardian then went on to verbally attack me much to the horror of myself and the other mums around me. This outburst is what has caused me enough upset and anger to then spiral myself into an hiv fear mode.

My understanding drs gave my son hep and hiv blood tests at baseline and 14weeks +2 days, I know much more for my benefit than his. All results clear. I understand that to be conclusive. Two niggling worries left;

My son had mmr (at 10-11 weeks) and flu jab (at week 5ish) during his window period. Is that a concern on his neg result?

My son was only 3.5years when this happened. Will his immune system and therefore production of antibodies be the same as an adult at that age? In other words, is the window period still correct for him?

I really want to move on and would so apprectiate any expert advice.

Jem x

[Ann]

Jem,

Your son's tests results are conclusive. Neither the jabs nor his age would affect seroconversion times.

Besides, biting is unlikely to transmit hiv as saliva is NOT infectious. Even if the other child's mouth was bloody, it would be extremely unusual for hiv to be transmitted through a bite.

Your son is without doubt hiv negative. Relax!

While you're here, you might want to read through the Welcome Thread and follow the links on transmission. Your son will not be a toddler for long and there will come a day when he will look to you for sexual guidance. We cannot rely on schools to make sure teenagers know how to protect themselves against hiv and correct condom usage is rarely taught. Read through the condom and lube links in my signature line so you can know for future reference. Teens, whether we like it or not, are often sexually active. They need us to tell them how to be safe so they can make their own decisions. They will anyway, but if they have knowledge they can make informed decisions instead of decisions based purely on hormones.

What your son will need to know can be summed up as follows:

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.

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.

I know he's only three, but it's never too early to start thinking about his future. They grow up so quickly - mine was nineteen in a blink of an eye.

Ann

[jem]

Thankyou so much!

I will put the biting incident behind me now. For good.

I will look at your links for sure. My husband and I are very open. We also have a 7 year old daughter from whom questions are already getting asked (never ending!) and are being answered honestly and openly. I agree that children grow up so fast and I want to be prepared and keep them safe in every way I can.......... without completely smothering them of course!!!