Anxiety or HIV??

[msanxious76]

Hi,
I have had two sexual partners this year (2011). One of my partners, we have practiced safe vaginal sex (using a condom) everytime and unprotected oral sex twice (I was the receptor or "giver". The second time ejaculate in my mouth, of which I quick spit out). That incident was on February 4th, 2011. My other sexual partner that I have been with for the past seven years, I had unprotected vaginal sex with him on May 29th. Fast forward to last week. On or around  Friday, June 17th, I started to get this tickling sensation all over my body (feels like minor chills, but more of a tickling sensation). The next day, I developed minor aches and pains. By Sunday, I developed stiff neck that lasted for a day or so. A couple of days later, the pain in my stifff neck traveled down to my lower left side of my back, producing stabbing pains. That lasted for like a day or so. Now the pain is gone, but now (just about every night that I go to sleep or lay down) the tickling sensation is back, but it's primarily in my right arm (from my fingertips to my shoulders). I've never had a fever, sore throat, rash, diarrea, etc.I've read that peripheral neuropathy is a common early sign of primary HIV infection in WOMEN. In contrast, I have seen tha PN is seen in HIV positive folks, but only in later stages of the disease or primarily due from HIV meds. I know that I am high risk of exposure due to the incident of unprotected vaginal sex and the incident of unprotected oral sex. My last HIV test (which was negative) was October 2010. I will also add that I have been under a lot of stress/anxiety in the past month due to work and family. Should I be worried??? Any information or feedback you can provide is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[RubyWitch]

Excellent!
Spend some time getting yourself educated about the REAL facts of HIV and talk to your friends, help them get educated, too, and in turn, THEY can educate more people.........it can just keep going until everyone understands how we bring this scourge under control.
This old saying has never been more true than how it applies to HIV:

IF YOU'RE NOT PART OF THE SOLUTION, YOU'RE PART OF THE PROBLEM

I'm sure you'll be fine and hope you'll let us know how you're doing.
Peace
Greenlydia  

[msanxious76]

Thanks for posting your detailed comment. FYI- I did post my symptoms on the HIV Prevention Forum, and a doctor confirmed  your thoughts that my symptoms are most likely not HIV-related. He stated that if my symptoms were HIV related, my last test (back in October 2010) would have already been positive (due to the fact that peripheral neuropathy usually occurs in the later stages of HIV). I feel much better and confident to take another HIV test. And no more unprotected sex for me!! Thank you so much!

[RubyWitch]

You had NO RISK with your sexual encounter on February of this year. You had protected vaginal sex and HIV is not spread through oral sex, even if your partner ejaculated in your mouth.

Your encounter on the 29th of May of this year is a different story. Unprotected vaginal sex is one of three ways you can contract HIV. You should be tested now for any STDs and in 12 weeks, get tested for HIV.
The length of time you've been with this partner doesn't matter at all. I will assume he is  having sex with other partners just as you are.
In the mean time, do not engage in ANY unprotected sex! And be totally honest with any and all partners you have. They have a right to know your status.

Your last test may have been negative, but it was too long ago to have any relevance to your current situation.

I don't know what your other symptoms could be indicitive of. Stress comes to mind, but I don't think it's related to HIV. If you haven't already posted on the HIV Prevention Forum, you will get a definite answer regarding your symptoms. I don't know the time frame from exposure to developing symptoms.

Should you be worried? Unfortunately I believe the answer is yes. You broke the #1 rule
for safe sex and now, sadly, will pay the frightening cost of waiting three months to find out if you're one of the lucky ones.

You CAN test before 3 months, but those tests will give you only a partial answer. Only after THREE three months will you get a completely conclusive result.

I would advise you get a bit more information about HIV Prevention so you don't have to go through this again.

I wish the best of luck
Peace
Greenlydia