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Worried about a possible exposure 10 years ago
Hi there.
Hope you have a chance to read and see what you think.
Over 10 years ago I gave fellatio to a gay man. I was very anxious at the time but as time went on I got used to it being very low risk. That has been my only possible exposure.
10 years on I've had a number of medical events that are worrying me.
I developed a headache that wouldn't go away and went to A&E to investistigate. They arranged a brain scan which didn't show anything. Routine bloods were taken and identified abnormal liver readings. I was given bloods mater and they came back normal. Headache lasted a couple of months.
About 2/3 weeks after that event I felt like I was having a heartattack and ended up in A&E again. More bloods taken, ECG with a follow up scan that showed nothing unusual.
About a month later I developed shingles which cleared up after a couple of months after medication.
I then had a bad flu where I needed time off work.
At the moment I have sore lymph nodes in my neck and groin.
I have been in good health for the past 10 years or so except for the occasional cold and a few bouts of Covid.
Do you think I should be worried about my recent hospital visits? Bloods were taken but they are not checked for HIV here. I am thinking that if I had HIV and bloods are taken there would be signs at this stage that further Investigstion may be required.
Any thoughts?
Hope you have a chance to read and see what you think.
Over 10 years ago I gave fellatio to a gay man. I was very anxious at the time but as time went on I got used to it being very low risk. That has been my only possible exposure.
10 years on I've had a number of medical events that are worrying me.
I developed a headache that wouldn't go away and went to A&E to investistigate. They arranged a brain scan which didn't show anything. Routine bloods were taken and identified abnormal liver readings. I was given bloods mater and they came back normal. Headache lasted a couple of months.
About 2/3 weeks after that event I felt like I was having a heartattack and ended up in A&E again. More bloods taken, ECG with a follow up scan that showed nothing unusual.
About a month later I developed shingles which cleared up after a couple of months after medication.
I then had a bad flu where I needed time off work.
At the moment I have sore lymph nodes in my neck and groin.
I have been in good health for the past 10 years or so except for the occasional cold and a few bouts of Covid.
Do you think I should be worried about my recent hospital visits? Bloods were taken but they are not checked for HIV here. I am thinking that if I had HIV and bloods are taken there would be signs at this stage that further Investigstion may be required.
Any thoughts?
Oral sex is not 'very low low risk'. It is no risk for hiv. Then worry about blood draws at the hospital. HERE is how you get HIV but I suspect we've already written this to you before and you are back for another hit of reassurance for your anxiety disorder. The ONLY risks for HIV are to have unprotected vaginal or anal sex or to share IV needles to inject drugs. Air and saliva inactivate the virus. You never had a chance to get HIV from that. And blood draws at a hospital are not INJECTIONS. Needle sticks do not transmit due to air involvement. It is absolutely irrational to fear these things and for TEN years.
You seem to have an untreated anxiety disorder. THAT is what you need to address through psychotherapy and possibly medication to recover so you don't have to act on your compulsion to seek reassurance.
You seem to have an untreated anxiety disorder. THAT is what you need to address through psychotherapy and possibly medication to recover so you don't have to act on your compulsion to seek reassurance.
5 Comments
Thanks for your helpful response. Just to clarify I'm not at all concerned about the way bloods are taken at the hospital. I appreciate your time
Billions of people have had shingles, headaches, go to ER thinking they have a heart attack because they overthink the situation etc. Nothing special about what you had so it's best to stop irritating your lymph by poking it.
Very last question before I leave it completely but I guess that an approved home rapid test for peace of mind would be conclusive at this stage?
You didn't have a risk for HIV. Any test you take at any time will be conclusive, and negative. We're not going to pretend that you had a risk just to pacify your anxiety.
See a mental health therapist. 10 years later after a NON-EVENT and you're still studying your body looking for clues to a disease that couldn't exist.
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