HIV Unprotected vaginal sex - high risk. Help!

[soulz15]

Hi,

I thought i was doing fine and calming down. But today besides other personal issues got me hard.

I had unprotected vaginal sex 45 days ago. It was with a sex worker (i know doesn't matter) from well established decent(I know thisnalso doesn't matter) place but unknown status. I am a male.

What i have done:

* Tested with a 4 gen combo blood from the vein test at 35 days = negative

* Tested with oraquick at 40 days and 45 days = negative

Symptoms/experience:

-- this symptoms started around week 3-4 and some continue now at week 5 but really nothing( which scared me cuz it says around that time you get symptoms and might only have them for couple days or couple weeks)

* I had a burning sensation after finishing urinating and then had testicle pain. It seems it was an infection that was days after, but according to a urine test i even had the infection before exposure. It went away. The testicle pain it seems is because of varicoceles that were diagnosed post exposure.

* The scary part is I also had a mild headache but for two days, fatigue, i don't think i can feel my lymph nodes so not sure I had that, my eyeballs hurt and i felt dizzy lightheaded when moving them really fast, felt like i couldn't breath at times, i had a lot of body aches but was diagnosed with gout.  Corticosteroids were given for gout and other muscle pains from injuries, i had an inflamed throat, overall felt weird like somehow sick.

Questions:

*  I understand that 4 gen detects atigen early before antibodies. So if i did have symptoms and tested the first day of week 5 for sure either one could have made my blood test reactive?

* I understand oraquick instructions state they are conclusive and accurate at 90 days, but you know anxiety made me do them early, wouldn't be the same case if i was an average person who developed antibodies within 2 weeks and 6 weeks wouldn't that home test be positive on top of my ongoing "symptoms"?

* I guess i know i should test with a 4 gen at 90 days to be sure. But still do you guys actually think I can be safe with all these three tests i did specially the @35 days 4 gen? For personal reasons it is hard for me to test blood now at 45 don't ask, but i know I have to one way or another.

*** I want to believe the female to male low risk but is hard since one doctor has told me that ain true that i have the same risk as all. Also that told me that HIV being hard to catch also not true, or that just one high risk exposure might not happen ain't true. That we only need one bad decision like this to get it.

I would like to know what other people think. I could really use so reassurance. I believe for real this time it would be my last actual post on Reddit. Please comment if you really want to help.

[Jim Allen]

Hiya,

Firstly take a deep breath.

You had condomless intercourse, it's an HIV risk. Now it is true that there is less HIV risk for the insertive partner than the receiving partner but it is a real-world HIV risk and only testing will confirm your HIV status.

I understand you tested with a blood drawn (lab) test at 4 weeks + 1-day post-exposure and for whatever reason, you are unable to repeat a blood test. The result you have has high confidence but will need retesting. So if you can only retest with OTC/POC (rapid) tests then retest at 3 months post-exposure to confirm your negative HIV status.

* I understand oraquick instructions state they are conclusive and accurate at 90 days, but you know anxiety made me do them early, wouldn't be the same case if i was an average person who developed antibodies within 2 weeks and 6 weeks wouldn't that home test be positive on top of my ongoing "symptoms"?

No. However, as mentioned above the symptoms have nothing to do with HIV from this exposure and you can retest as you are using a rapid tests at the 3-month post-exposure date.

 

I understand that 4 gen detects atigen early before antibodies. So if i did have symptoms and tested the first day of week 5 for sure either one could have made my blood test reactive?

Hmmm. Firstly, understand that the most common initial HIV symptom is none whatsoever or at least not noticeable to most. The antigen part of the test is for only HIV 1 and it's not standalone in screening tests for a reason.

Anyhow, if the symptoms experienced had anything to do with HIV then the antibodies part of the test would have tested reactive already and as mentioned they have nothing to do with HIV. Now, this does not mean you did not acquire HIV through and retesting is needed at the appropriate time to confirm your HIV status.

I believe for real this time it would be my last actual post on Reddit.

Reddit...  Sounds like a cheap breakfast mix that needs to be warmed up in the microwave, but whatever it is, I don't care if you continue to post there or not.

Here's what you need to know to avoid HIV infection:
Use condoms for anal or vaginal intercourse, correctly and consistently, every time, no exceptions. Consider starting PrEP going forward as an additional layer of protection against HIV

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 easier to transmit 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.

Kind regards

Jim

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[soulz15]

Hi,

Thanks for replying.

I know you answered this already but once again:

So i can't say my 35 day 4th gen blood test is not accurate and reliable for me to move on ?

I was going to do that and test or not test at 90 days.

[Jim Allen]

I've already answered this.

[soulz15]

I've already answered this.

Ok understood. Just wanted to know if that test had high percentage of accuracy and is less likely to change to positives and that retesting was for only peace of mind.

But thanks appreciate it

[Jim Allen]

The result you have has high confidence but will need retesting.