The Wait. The Curse of Anxiety

[intheclouds]

The possible exposure:
- Unprotected vaginal intercourse, I as the receiver. High risk. 
- He went down on me and I on him. Short period, less than a minute 
- He did not ejaculate in me at all
- Happened 3 times over 1 night
- The guy: Heterosexual South Korean male who has had 6 previous partners (he says), unknown HIV status
- We both had alcohol but knew what was happening

The aftermath:
- The next day, came down with a bad cold that included coughing, sneezing, feeling tired. Slept for the whole day - probably because I didn't get sleep the night before. (But note I was already coming down with the cold before exposure on that day).
- Pain during urination and discharge - but nothing out of the ordinary
- Normal period two days after exposure
- STD check at 2.5 weeks, tested positive for Chlamydia. Definitely from him. After treatment, was told of possible side affects of fatigue, nausea, diarrhea - experienced all of it. 
- HIV/Syphilis check at 3.5 weeks, negative.
- Now 6.5 weeks, second test for HIV and waiting for results. 

1. Waiting for my 6.5 weeks. If neg, reading other posts, it's a good indicator right? Then a follow up at 3 months post-exposure is in order and 6 months possibly because I had a high risk exposure?

2. Chances of infection. With the presence of Chlamydia, if he were an HIV+ then the viral load is greater which puts me in more risk, right? The prevalence rate of HIV is quite low in South Korea compared to other counties - does this affect my chance of infection? Even if he were HIV+, there's chances I might not get it even after 3 intercourses penis-vagina right?  (Yes, any sort of pro would make me feel so much better, even if the slightest. Sorry.)

3. How does everyone cope with waiting for results? It's all I can think about, worry about and it's driving my crazily anxious. I have read that many people are so convinced that they have HIV that they don't accept their neg results. 

It's truly been inspirational and moving to be learning so much about this virus and the stories of others around the world. I feel like I've learned so much about it, and I'm going through something many others are. I know what happened was stupid and like many others, this was the first time I acted this irresponsible. He is the second guy I've ever slept with. I just pray I haven't learned the hard way. I don't want to go crazy researching an scaring myself sick with all these statistics, but here are some questions I have as I wait for my results. 

Thanks so much! I know each individual story is different and the replies will mostly be opinions, expertise advice or experience-based comments. But thank you for taking the time to read and reply. Also, it's amazing to see the support of this community. Only the tests can tell me my true status - and 3 months is likely the conclusive time. Scared, worries and anxious. 

Praying for us all,

- intheclouds 

[Ann]

Clouds,

1. The vast majority of people who have actually been infected will seroconvert and test positive by six weeks, with the average time to seroconversion being only 22 days. A six week negative must be confirmed at the three month point, but is highly unlikely to change.

So yes, if your 6.5 week test result is negative, chances are excellent that you are hiv negative. You do not need to test out to six months - only three. The window period for hiv testing has been three months for years now and the risk level makes absolutely no difference.

2. Any time you have unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse you're putting yourself at risk for hiv and all the other, MUCH more easily transmitted infections like chlamydia. As you have found out. There are too many variable to speculate on as to his status. Suffice it to say that you have had a risk.

3. Keep yourself busy with other things while you wait for your test results. Stay off hiv related websites. If your 6.5 test result is negative, remember that it is highly unlikely to change and put it out of your mind for another six weeks.

I also hope you haven't learned the hard way. Either way, ultimately you're going to be ok. Although life changes when you're positive, it doesn't end. Your life will be what you make of it - just like when you're negative.

For what it's worth, there's a very good chance that if you had been infected, your 3.5 week negative result would have been inconclusive if not outright positive. I think you'll be fine, but the ONLY way to know for sure is to get that conclusive three month test.

Ann