Risk of HIV Infection?

[worriedOrf]

I got drunk about 2 weeks ago, and had unprotected oral sex with a girl for about 5 minutes. We went to have unprotected vaginal sex, and I was inside of her for all of about 10 seconds. I stopped the vaginal intercourse at that point, and that was the end of the interaction. I have since heard from people that she has a history of a lot of partners. I do not know her status for any STDs, including HIV.

Since then, i have been having a number of symptoms that look like some kind of std. I had a rash on my penis, and thought I had herpes. I went to planned parenthood today, and they gave me a rapid test to check for HIV in my past experiences, but I know it is way to early for me to trust and I wasn't really worried too much about HIV until the day before. I had a cold sore break out 3 days ago, right before the two week mark, at about 10 days. Now I am having constipation, muscle and joint aches, weird sensation in the throat (not sore, just kind of a lump), gastrointestinal issues (stomach gurgling and a little pain). And of course the rash and stuff I mentioned earlier.

For the past week I have been driving myself mad googling all sorts of stds, and thinking I had them, but this one is really worrying me more than the rest. The rash on my penis was examined by the doctor, and she said it was just a yeast infection, which I read could also be a symptom. I have been feeling sicker these past couple of days, but I cant tell if that my body seriously trying to tell me something, or my stress triggering symptoms that make me think I have it. What do you guys think? Is there cause for concern here? Could the yeast infection be causing these symptoms? Or is it itself a symptom of seroconversion? I know symptoms aren't really any indicator of Infection, but those symptoms are what put my mind on this track, so I figured I'd mention them.

I know it is to early for a reliable test, and i have to wait about another month, but this is seriously affecting my life, both a work and with friends and family. Everyone can tell I am stressed and depressed, but when I they ask whats wrong, I don't have the heart to tell them what I think it might be. Should I go in for RNA testing? I read that can be detected in less than 2 weeks. How reliable are those? According to what I've read on this forum, not to reliable, but it might give me some piece of mind while I wait for 6 and 13 weeks.

[Jim Allen]

Hi

Look it doesn't matter what sort of risk your partners have had in the past, what counts is what you do with them and your risk behaviours and activities.

In this instance the HIV risk you had was the unprotected intercourse, the other activities are risks for some easier to transmit STI's but not HIV. Cold sores are caused by herpes virus and have nothing to do with HIV and do not have any impact on this assessment.

Your symptoms also are not HIV specific - if you are sick, see a doctor and treat whatever is making you sick. Your constipation has nothing to do with HIV.   

RNA testing is not recommend for screening or use on its own. In short test at 6 and 13 weeks for a conclusive result using an antibody test, in the meantime move on and live your life as normal - start using condoms!

Here's what you need to know in order to avoid hiv infection:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions.

Keep in mind that some sexual practices which may be described as ‘safe’ in terms of HIV transmission might still pose a risk for transmission of other STI's, so please do get fully tested regularly and at least yearly for all STI's including but not limited to HIV and test more frequently if unprotected intercourse occurs

Also note that it is possible to have an STI and show no signs or symptoms and the only way of knowing is by testing.

More information on HIV Basics, PEP, TaSP and Transmission can be found through the links in my signature to our POZ pages, this includes information on HIV Testing

Kind regards

Jim

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[worriedOrf]

Thanks for the reply. You guys are doing a great thing fielding all of these questions from people who are freaking out.

 I understand that the cold sore had nothing to do with HIV, but I was worried as it could be a side effect of my immune system battling the Infection. I already have oral HSV. I've gotten cold sores since I was young. I should have mentioned that in my first post.

I was more asking if I have reason to be concerned. I will be waiting for the 6 week mark to get tested, just asking to see if there is reason to be concerned. Waiting for 6 weeks is not the easiest thing when you are worried. And I fear that either I am positive, and my immune system is breaking down, or I am literally worrying myself sick.

I usually do use condoms, as I am freaked out by the idea of getting any kind of sti. I just made one drunken mistake, and I am freaking out.

[Jim Allen]

Stop freaking out, HIV is fortunately very difficult to transmit.

Test at 6 weeks and 3 months post incident but do move on with your life as normal. No need to panic.

Jim