Some Questions to Prepare

[health23]

I had posted a few weeks ago, and just started working with a therapist (being treated for anxiety and OCD). I am now a 31 year old white female. I am working on getting the courage to get an HIV test, but would like to be as prepared as possible when I go for it. My "risks" were as follows:

1) 12 years ago: One Protected encounter, with brief condom slip.

2) 5 years ago: Unprotected vaginal sex for 1-2 minutes, condom then immediately put on.

I have had no major illnesses during this time, just had a physical and was deemed in excellent health. That's what makes me think I must be one of those people who doesn't show symptoms for many, many years.

I know you there is no such thing as an exact statistic or anything, but I want to have as best an understanding of my risk when I finally get myself in for the test.  Thanks!!
  

[health23]

A related discussion, home access was started.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

And since you work in an HIV clinic, why not get the free and expert advice of the doctors there?  Good bet they know as much or more bout these thingps than I do.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Rash is the most common symptom of hundreds of medical conditions.  These comments don't change my opinion or advice.  Accept the reassurnce at face value and don't try to convince me (and yourself!) that you have HIV.  You do not.  Re-read my reply above, including the last line.  Any more comments other than your test results will be deleted without reply.

[health23]

Thanks for the info Doctor H.  I think a few things have heightened my anxiety.  First off, I remember getting a rash somewhere in that time frame, and am thinking it was shortly after the second encounter (just about 5 years ago).  It was red, pink and non-itchy, on my trunk, and lasted for a for a few weeks.  The doctor was unsure what it was, as it looked like hives, but was not itchy, said it could be pityriasis rosea.  That freaked me out that perhaps I was having acute HIV symptoms and didn't even realize it, seeing as I just read that rash is the most common symptom.  Then I was thinking that this partner did date a lot of women, so this increased my fear.  Secondly, I have recently started working in an HIV clinic, and I am surrounded by it every day- it seems like it is more common than the flu.  Put all of that together and I am beyond petrified now!

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Your previous post was on the HIV community forum; unless you used a different username, this appears to be your first question on this forum.  I will try to help, but you already had an accurate response from Teak on the community forum.  The bottom line is that you have been at zero risk for HIV, for all practical purposes.  Further, as you seem to know, almost everyone infected with HIV for 5 or more years would have had symptoms by now and would not have a completely normal health assessment, especially if that evaluation also included routine blood testing, like a blood count.

So I'm not sure why you are having an HIV test.  From a risk assessment perspective, you really don't need it.  That said, for whatever reason, HIV is on your mind and you clealry need to have a negative test to help relieve your anxiety about it.

It will be extraordinarily surprising if your upcoming HIV test turns out to be positive.  And of course should it be positive, you understand that having the test doesn't make people HIV positive!  You either have it or you don't.  

Bottom line:  You really should not be worried about this.  Go ahead and be tested, secure in the knowledge that the result will be negative.

Finally, if you are like many persons with OCD, you will be tempted to ask follow-up "yes but" or "what if" questions. Please don't.  Feel free to return to post your negative test result.  Until then, I won't any further comments.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD