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Author Topic: Huge issue that I need advice as to my next action.  (Read 3437 times)

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Offline Mackowiak81

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Huge issue that I need advice as to my next action.
« on: January 02, 2012, 08:56:12 pm »
To give some background I am a 28 y/o heterosexual male who has 6 lifetime sexual partners. I have always practiced safe sex and as of June of this year had a negative STD screen for all testable diseases. I also give blood on regular basis. My most recent sexual encounter was on Nov 13th of this year. Prior to that was March of last year. I had sex with a girl I had met through a friend that was a casual aquaintanence of his. We got on well and the second time we went out things culminated in having sex twice that evening. I used a condom both times and they were intact at the end of each session as far as I could tell. The issue arises that there was menstrual blood present during this encounter and in between sessions there could have been blood contact with the head of my penis from residual on the areas on my legs. After sex we showered. Unfortunately things didn't work out and that was the last time we were together. This was november 13th. I began to have a severely stiff neck, swollen cervical lymph nodes, some tonsillar swelling, felt ill, and possibly subjective fever on dec. 26th. I being very self conscious and having heard further that my female sex partner has a somewhat loose reputation unfortunately immediately went and got tested for HIV on dec 27th HIV 1/2/O ICMA. This test was negative at approximately 6wks 2 days following my protected contact with this female. I however still have neck stiffness, swollen lymph nodes 
and still feel poorly.

Here is my huge issue. I had no symptoms following contact with this female until dec 27th. I gave blood ( prbc's) on dec. 6 as I had practiced safe sex and no presumption that I had any type of infection. I do this every 8 wks at my work, which is a hospital. I am absolutely dying that I may be infected with HIV and that this could go into the blood supply. I would have already called the blood bank but the blood bank is run by the company I work for and also my co-workers work at the blood bank. I have read everything I can find and it sounds as if I should have been caught as positive for HIV by NAT at 23 days post contact in pooled sample testing that is standard to blood centers. I am going to get retested at 8wks and 12 wks but I need to know if I should call the blood bank and see if I can stop the rbi's from being used? I get nauseated and want to vomit even thinking about it, but if I hurt someone else I couldn't live with myself. I have every other reason for being sick by working in a hospital and not being vaccinated for the flu but I can't help but feel I should call the blood bank. Any advice as to how to best handle this situation would be very helpful. Thanks in advance.
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Offline jkinatl2

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  • Doo. Dah. Dipp-ity.
Re: Huge issue that I need advice as to my next action.
« Reply #1 on: January 02, 2012, 09:05:05 pm »
You were never at risk for HIV from the situation you described.

And yes, I read the entire post.

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"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

-Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD, MPH

Welcome Thread

Offline Mackowiak81

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Re: Huge issue that I need advice as to my next action.
« Reply #2 on: January 02, 2012, 09:07:33 pm »
Thank you for your prompt response. I included all details so as not to repetitively post further info in the future. Again, thanks.
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Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Huge issue that I need advice as to my next action.
« Reply #3 on: January 02, 2012, 09:26:02 pm »
Do not act on your impulses in terms of alerting anyone about the blood supply. As JK has told you, you are worrying needlessly.

You can't pass a virus you don't have. Behave yourself and stop working yourself into a frenzy over something that is about fears and not facts. The facts as you have reported them point clearly to your not having been at risk.
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Andy Velez

Offline Mackowiak81

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Re: Huge issue that I need advice as to my next action.
« Reply #4 on: January 03, 2012, 12:27:23 am »
I realize I have worked myself up about this somewhat but as you know so many things mimic what are considered classic symptoms for ARS. I feel that if I didn't have the burden of someone else's health on my mind this wouldn't be as much of an issue despite the still significant implications.

I will try to keep my emotions in check and keep an even keel.

Thank you again for your advice.
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Offline Mackowiak81

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Re: Huge issue that I need advice as to my next action.
« Reply #5 on: January 03, 2012, 11:09:42 am »
To clarify, do you suggest not getting tested further based on the above experience?

Thanks again.
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Offline jkinatl2

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Re: Huge issue that I need advice as to my next action.
« Reply #6 on: January 03, 2012, 12:30:06 pm »
You do not need to get testing based on the above experience.
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"Many people, especially in the gay community, turn to oral sex as a safer alternative in the age of AIDS. And with HIV rates rising, people need to remember that oral sex is safer sex. It's a reasonable alternative."

-Kimberly Page-Shafer, PhD, MPH

Welcome Thread

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Huge issue that I need advice as to my next action.
« Reply #7 on: January 03, 2012, 02:55:39 pm »
No, you do not need to get tested. You were not at risk. Period. Get on with your life.
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Andy Velez

Offline Mackowiak81

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Re: Huge issue that I need advice as to my next action.
« Reply #8 on: January 03, 2012, 03:43:10 pm »
Great. Thanks again for the help.
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Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Huge issue that I need advice as to my next action.
« Reply #9 on: January 03, 2012, 07:24:03 pm »
You're welcome.

Cheers.
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Andy Velez
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