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Author Topic: Questions on Natural Remedies  (Read 3891 times)

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Offline sleepless

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Questions on Natural Remedies
« on: December 02, 2007, 05:11:13 am »
Hi!

I have not been tested yet as I'm waiting to get medical insurance to start the process early 08. But I'm pretty sure that I was infected late 2003. My most obvious symptons are concurrent vaginal infections and a swollen lymph node on the opening of my vagina that came out during the first few days or weeks (I can't remember for sure) after being exposed. I went to the gynecologist for this and he tested me for syphillis, which came back negative. He suggested the HIV test but I was mortified to do so at the time, as I was another ignorant uninformed girl (23 yrs old). My swollen lymph node has only gone down a few times with some antibiotics that another doctor prescribed, which I'm not sure what they are. Recently it's gotten bigger and more tender, and sometimes it hurts when I'm sitting.

I read in a few forums that the swollen nodes are just our bodies fighting the infection (which sounds pretty good to me). But I can't help feeling worried and anxious and don't know if I should be already on meds. All I can do for now is wait 'till I get insurance in my new job. I've bought Vitamin C and other immune system suplement and was wondering if there's anything else I can take to stay healthy until I see a doctor.

I must say that I would get easily depressed and scared from just thinking about HIV. But reading more about it and these forums has helped me tremendously to deal with these feelings. Thank you!!!

Offline Ann

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    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Questions on Natural Remedies
« Reply #1 on: December 02, 2007, 05:28:49 am »
Sleepless,

Symptoms, or even the lack of symptoms, are meaningless when it comes to hiv. ONLY testing will reliably reveal your hiv status. We go by risk factors and test results here, NEVER symptoms.

You don't have to wait to have insurance to test for hiv, you can go find somewhere to test anonymously now. Go to http://www.hivtest.org/index.cfm and enter your zip code to find a center near you.

There's no point in you researching any sort of "remedy" until you know your status for certain. In the meantime, eat right and get plenty of rest - things ANYONE should do to remain healthy.

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 sleepless

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  • Posts: 4
Re: Questions on Natural Remedies
« Reply #2 on: December 03, 2007, 02:07:01 am »
Hi Ann!

Thank you for your reply. I will go get tested ASAP.

I was looking into the different types of testing (Confidential) and it stated that my status would be part of my medical records which at some point might be available for my employers to see. Isn't this illegal? Why would an employer ever need to know if an employee is HIV + if that wouldn't affect the work he/she does?? This scares me more than being + as I know how many still view and judge HIV+ people.

Also, is there a website with a directory on best local doctors/gynecologists with experience in treating HIV?

I have a lot of questions and I know you might still say "stop assuming and get tested" and I will (i'm just a busy girl)! Just bear with me as your responses and reading others' comments on Living with HIV, etc. have helped me a lot deal with different emotions.

Thanx once again!

Offline Ann

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    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Questions on Natural Remedies
« Reply #3 on: December 03, 2007, 03:37:16 am »
Sleepless,

I deleted the post you left in another forum. You are not permitted to post in any forum but this one or Off Topic. Please read our Welcome Thread, pay attention to our posting guidelines and abide by them. Thank you for your cooperation.

You can also get "anonymous" testing, which is slightly different to "confidential" testing. Your medical records are not normally available for employers to see - there are laws governing this. However, I do not live in the US and do not know all the ins and outs of the legislation.

And you're correct - just go get tested. Chances are good that you are hiv negative after a one-time incident.

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 sleepless

  • Member
  • Posts: 4
Re: Questions on Natural Remedies
« Reply #4 on: December 05, 2007, 03:26:34 pm »
Thank you, and I apologize for the other posting. I was just trying to help.

You mentioned that there's a good chance I am HIV negative but I've felt like my body hasn't been the same since that incident, especially because of the constant reminder I have (swollen lymph node) and the fact that the person I was with wasn't trustworthy (I know it was stupid of my part but I only realized this afterwards).

I have another question, is there a chance that a man can get infected by simply rubbing his penis without a condom in the outer part of the vagina of an HIV + female?  Also, I've heard different versions of how you can or can't get infected by having unprotected oral sex. Who and how can you get infected with oral sex? What's the safest oral sex practice?

Thanks once again!

Offline Andy Velez

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Re: Questions on Natural Remedies
« Reply #5 on: December 05, 2007, 03:48:05 pm »
Having someone perform oral on you is not a risk for you. Period.

As far as the one performing oral on a woman, the risk is theoretical rather than actual. I've never known of a single confirmed case of transmission in that manner.

With regard to the rubbing against vaginal lips you asked about, that is strictly a non-risk as far as HIV is concerned.

Good luck with your test. Fortunately feelings including fearful certainy aren't facts. Like Ann I would say the odds are in your favor that you will test negative.

Keep us posted.
Andy Velez

Offline sleepless

  • Member
  • Posts: 4
Re: Questions on Natural Remedies
« Reply #6 on: December 05, 2007, 03:57:46 pm »
Hi Andy,

Are both of these (male performing on female - oral sex and rubbing) a non-risk for the male if the female is HIV positive?

Last question for now: I also read something about re-infection if both were HIV positive. If I am HIV positive and I have an HIV positive boyfriend, are there still risks to our health if we have unprotected sex (given that we are in a monogomous relationship).

Sorry for all the questions! I'm not parranoid at all, I just want to be as informed as possible for the future. The truth is that my risk situation was vaginal unprotected sex, which I read that it was one of the riskiest one. But anyways, I'm prepared for whatever result I get from testing.

THANK YOU!!!

Offline Ann

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  • Posts: 28,134
  • It just is, OK?
    • Num is sum qui mentiar tibi?
Re: Questions on Natural Remedies
« Reply #7 on: December 05, 2007, 04:39:15 pm »
sleep,

Quote
Are both of these (male performing on female - oral sex and rubbing) a non-risk for the male if the female is HIV positive?

That's right, both of those are no-risk activities.

There's no point in going over re-infection with you - you have not been diagnosed as hiv positive. Go get tested.

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

 


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