HIV Risk

[thehopeful]

I have read many post on this forum and researched HIV and AIDS ALOT. My concern is with a episode i had over 2 years ago. I have sex with a girl i knew for a little while, although she was known to get around i still proceeded to sleep with her. i started out using protection, but while in the middle of sex the condom broke. I didnt realize it at first but i pulled out shortly after and we stopped. Now i have my doubts that she was HIV positive, but she has slept around alot. So this is where my area of concern is. Since researching this topic i see that even some of the most promiscoius women dont have HIV although i am still concerned. I did not have any symptoms and have been in good health for the past two years except for tonight i came down with the Flu i believe. Cough, Fever, sinus build up. My main question is what are my risk? was this a low risk exposure so to speak? or should i be extremely concerned and get tested ASAP? If it helps i live in the US and i currently live in charleston, SC.


Thanks

THEHOPEFUL

[Dr Sean Cummings]

Hello

You don't give any real information other than that you had sex with a female where the condom broke. She seems not to be a sex worker.

If she was HIV positive then there would be a risk of around 1 in 1200 or so per unprotected episode / condom break. However, as you say, we don't know her status and so I'm unable to comment further.

What I would say is that you should have periodic STD and HIV tests and since you do have a concern then being tested would be worthwhile.

best regards, Sean

[thehopeful]

sorry, she is not a sex worker. she was just a one night stand after a party. I heard that she has slept around with a good bit of men. i also do not know her hiv status. so considering all of these varibles of where i live and the chances of contracting hiv is low then the odds are on my side right? im still going to get tested. I had sex with this girl 2 years ago when i was 19 and she was 20. The only reason i have concerns is because i came down with flu like symptoms and it has been a week and it is just starting to go away. I though it was later syptoms of HIV. i know that you can not diagnois hiv off symptoms, the only real way to know is by getting tested 3 months after the incident. But my main question is; are my chances of catching hiv low? i feel that i didnt catch it but my mind keeps second guessing myself. I just wanted a second opinion. Im really scared to get tested, mainly because of the what if factor. SO please help me get past my fears. give me the honest truth even if my risk was high or if my risk was low.


thank you

[Dr Sean Cummings]

Hello

I think the "honest truth" is that you have made negative assumptions about the lady you had sex with which she probably does not deserve - and they apply as much to you as they do her - after all, you both had consensual sex.

I do not believe you are HIV positive or indeed that it is likely that she was HIV positive.

I think you need to step up to your responsibilities, get tested and take care,

best wishes, Sean