Need Advice

[wheelman]

Hi,
This is my first time here. I need some advice. My situation is a bit wierd, but Im hoping
someone can help. I was exposed to an HIV+ person almost 19 years ago. We had anal sex without a
condom but he did not ejaculate inside me, as much as I can remember. This was the only exposure Ive EVER had. Ive always used
condoms or engaged in very low risk activity. Ive never used alcohol, drugs, poppers or anything that would impair my ability. Since this happened, Ive been with one person monogamusly.
We have NEVER had anal sex. We even use condoms for oral sex! Never exchanged body fluids. He has never been tested but had a very mild history and never had health issues. In all these years, Ive never been tested for HIV. I always thought about it, but then put it out of my mind as I was too scared. However, I always wondered about it. In almost 19 years, Ive never had any kind of opportunistic infection. No pneumocystis,
no kaposi, no salmonella, no thrush, nothing at all. Ive had the occassional flu, cold sore, sometimes bladder infection, as I have another completely separate condition that I live with. Some days Im filled with energy, other days Im very tired. However, Ive always managed to overcome whatever comes my way and never had anything serious. I guess my question would be should I even bother to get tested at this point, as its been almost twenty years and nothing has ever happened to me. Im 38 years old and I smoke 1-6 cigarettes each day. I do take alot of vitamins, especailly green tea, glutamine, NAC, glutathione,alpha lipoic aid, co q10 and a host of others,as Im quite paranoid about my health.

I know you cant tell me what to do, but I would apprecaite some thoughts and some assessment of just how much at risk I really am. I do know for certain that this person has since passed away from AIDS. Although, in his case, I think he was grossly overmedicated, as his counts and loads were never terrible but they put him on the drugs anyway. Should I get tested???

[Ann]

Wheel,

First off, I need you to read the Welcome Thread and take note of our forum posting guidelines. You also posted this thread (which I have deleted) in a section of these forums you should not be posting in. Thank you for your cooperation.

Of course you should get tested. 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.

Symptoms or even the LACK of symptoms - even after 20 years - will tell you absolutely nothing about your hiv status. ONLY testing will reliably give you that information.

You've carried this worry around with you long enough. Go get tested. Now.

Ann