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Possible exposure...help!
I am a 28 year old woman from the U.S. who recently had an encounter with a 23 year old promiscuous male. This event happened 14 days ago and I am terrified that I have contracted HIV. His status is unknown, but he is straight and is not a drug user. He is not circumsized and our encounter was not protected. We had unprotected vaginal sex for an extended period of time, but there was no ejaculation. I have already been tested for all other STDs since, but am freaking out over the HIV test. What are my chances of contracting the disease? I have had burning during urination, and achy joints Muscles since. I am terrified! Help!
COMMUNITY LEADER
As you were told, you were exposed to the risk. HIV transmission is not a game of numbers and probabilities.
However, having said that, it is also a fact that HIV may not necessarily be contacted as a result of an isolated single event of unprotected sex with a +ve partner. In your case, his status was not known, so there is a strong possibility that he was not +ve. One can not give you something he does not have.
Unfortunately, the only way to know our status conclusively, after such incidents is, to get ourselves tested after a specified period, which is 3 months as you were advised.
I would suggest you to get yourself tested for p24 Duo after 4 weeks of your exposure (2 weeks from now). I hope, it would come negative and will be highly reassuring for you to wait for another 8-9 weeks to collect your conclusive and final report.
One small piece of advice, the best friend of a girl is not her boy friend of unknown status but the condom.
However, having said that, it is also a fact that HIV may not necessarily be contacted as a result of an isolated single event of unprotected sex with a +ve partner. In your case, his status was not known, so there is a strong possibility that he was not +ve. One can not give you something he does not have.
Unfortunately, the only way to know our status conclusively, after such incidents is, to get ourselves tested after a specified period, which is 3 months as you were advised.
I would suggest you to get yourself tested for p24 Duo after 4 weeks of your exposure (2 weeks from now). I hope, it would come negative and will be highly reassuring for you to wait for another 8-9 weeks to collect your conclusive and final report.
One small piece of advice, the best friend of a girl is not her boy friend of unknown status but the condom.
I do know that. I guess that I am grasping for straws at this point. This behavior is highly unlike me and I don't know how to handle it. What other testing can be done sooner?
Chances and odds don't work. HIV is not like a race track. You can obtain your conclusive negative test result 3 months post exposure.
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