so worried

[soconcerneddddd]

Hi docs, Im a gay male from Indonesia.  In March 2006, I had unprotected sex once with a married man 2 years ago and he assured me that he is HIV neg.
Knowing that he has a wife and a child, I believed him. I caught flu and sore throat a couple of times afterwards and thought they were normal.
In Sept 2007 I had protected sex with a white male that I met from the internet.  
Before having the intercourse sex, I asked him about his HIV status and he assured me that he is negative.
Besides the intercourse, we also masturbated, kissed and had unprotected oral sex.  A couple days later, I had fever and sore throat that lasted for a week.
And then, I had runny nose, headache and sore throat again after 4 weeks that lasted for a week.
Since what had happened bothered me, I decided to get general medical check-up (Blood and urine taken) and the result of the test was normal.

In nov 2007, I felt something in my right throat everytime I swallow something and a couple weeks later I got sore throat, fever and runny nose.
I went to see a doctor and was given antibiotics.  I was healed 2 weeks after, but still felt something in right throat everytime I swallow something.
So I decided to see a doctor again, and I was told that my thyroid is fine and I had Post Nasal Drip and he gave me nasal spray.  My throat is fine now.
However, the past a couple of months I've been having clicking joints with no pain and itchy skin rash (it's bumpy) on and off on different part of my body (arms, thighs and butocks).
The rash comes for about about 30 mins and then gone.

My questions are:

1. Based on the symptoms that I had, am I infected by HIV? because from what I read on the internet, the symptoms that I had are associated to HIV
and I'm so worried about it.
2. Can HIV be passed through pre-***?
3. Do I need to take HIV test? if so, is the kit provided in www.hivkit.co.uk reliable?

Thank you very much.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Unless I still misunderstand the timing and the nature of your exposures, your last unprotected sex with another man was back in 2006.  A negative test 6-8 weeks (usually) to 3 months (always) after the last exposure is 100% reliable.

No more comments, please.  This thread is over.

HHH, MD

[soconcerneddddd]

Hi Doc,

I get tested today and the result was negative.  It was a quick test, they took my blood and the result appeared in 20 mins.  They said the reliability is 98%.

Do you think I need to get another test after a period of time?

Thanks for the forum, it helps so much and thank you so much.

[soconcerneddddd]

Thanks a lot doc.  I really appreciate your answer and your time.  I have no further questions.

However, the previous question was not from me, it was from bemyown234.  I posted my last question 4 hours ago.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

But YOU had protected sex with him, so it doesn't matter if he was lying or was wrong about his HIV status.  What's so hard about understanding that??  Stop trying to talk me, and yourself, into believing you were at high risk. You were not.  You came here for reassurance and I gave it.  Accept it and move on.

Last comment or I will delete the entire thread.

[bemyown234]

I think you misread his initial posting , doc. He didnt use condoms with the first partner he decribed, he says he had " unprotected sex".. isnt that a high risk? he never said he used condoms with the first partner

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

No.

[soconcerneddddd]

Thanks doc.  
This is really my last question:
'The test that I did wasnt specifically for HIV, but general medical check up using my blood and urine.  Is it possible to detect the present of HIV using this kind of test?

Thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I saw it but I have no further advice.  Of course people can lie, but most don't.  And even if they had HIV, you had protected anal sex.  You could do what you did with HIV infected partners every day and never catch HIV.

When someone is as concerned as you are, no expert's reassurance is going to settle the matter.  You won't believe you don't have HIV until you are tested and negative.  There is no point in speculating; just do it.

[soconcerneddddd]

Hi doc, Im resending this message, in case you missed it.

Thanks for the prompt reply doc.

The test that I did wasn't an HIV test, but general check up using my blood and urine.  Is it possible to detect HIV from this kind of test?

And IF the both guys lied about their HIV status, what's the probability Im infected?  I know it is a silly question, since you've told me that the symptoms that I mentioned don't suggest HIV.

The reason I have not done any HIV test is because Im concerned about the confidentiality.

Many thanks, doc.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Re-read my reply.  He uses condoms for anal sex and routinely asks and shares HIV status (and presumably avoids anal sex with those who say they are HIV positive).  No matter what else, and no matter where in the world, most people who do those things will go a lifetime without catching HIV.

[soconcerneddddd]

Thanks for the prompt reply doc.

The test that I did wasn't an HIV test, but general check up using my blood and urine.  Is it possible to detect HIV from this kind of test.

And IF the both guys lied about their HIV status, what's the probability Im infected.  I know it is a silly question, since you've told me that the symptoms that I mentioned don't suggest HIV.

The reason I have not done any HIV test is because Im concerned about the confidentiality.

Many thanks, doc.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You describe a careful, low risk sexual lifestyle.  It sounds like you routinely ask about HIV status and share your own, and you always use condoms for anal sex.  Oral sex and mutual masturbation are very low risk activities.  If you keep up your current approach to safe sex, you can expect to go a lifetime without HIV.  And your last negative HIV test, if I understand the timing, was a month after the last possible exposures, which is strong evidence you weren't infected.

1) You are over-interpreting whatever you have "read on the internet".  Your symptoms do not suggest HIV, which does not cause runny nose, congestion, joint clicking, or skin rash that comes and goes like yours.  You have had some colds, allergies, or stuff like that, nothing more.

2) Theoretically yes, but not a signficant issue in your situation.

3) You "need" an HIV test only for reassurance, not because there is suspicion you are infected.  The main question in my mind is why you haven't done it already.

I haven't a clue about the website you mention or whatever test they offer.  Why not just see a health care provider or clinic for routine testing?

I hope this helps.  Best wishes--  HHH, MD