HIV worries

[Royal_Perb]

Sorry, I just feel the need to talk about it on this board....I am extremely anxious now.

On the last Monday, I went to see an AMP and I received bbbj, rimming and protected sex... then I think I got mild fever, skin rash, and I feel tired..... Flu like symtoms. all these symptoms that I had that point to HIV infection.

I am so stressed now. I don't dare to talk to my family. I stayed at home and almost didn't eat a lot for the entire week.
I will go for a checkup for sure. But I have to wait about 2 weeks.

I tried to think positive. I got fever before I saw the sp. and I started getting skin rash these recent years. Doctor told me the skin rash should be hives. And I read the sex rish chart that HN gave and realize what I did could be low risk.....

oh, man...... all these symptoms I got just drive me crazy......... i just feel like to talk about it....I hope some1 could say something to help me.

 

[Royal_Perb]

Thanks for your response, annasteel22.

what you red-out makes me feel a bit better. I got mild fever two days after the encounter. It seems like HIV may not manipulate that fast(I try to think positively). Even though I researched a lot of symptoms of HIV infection and my risk can be considered low, after I met all these symptoms, I still feel anxious. Those worries play in my mind all the time.

Anyways, thanks for your response.

 

[Royal_Perb]

Its normal to panic! I have even done this.... Your fine and your mind is playing tricks on you be happy and safe xo

thanks, sexy anna steel. you are truely warm-hearted! you make me feel a lot better! I am trying not to think about the symptoms...Hopefully, I will be fine..........I am going to call clinic for an appointment.

Thank you!

 

[Health Nurse]

Sorry, I just feel the need to talk about it on this board....I am extremely anxious now.

On the last Monday, I went to see an AMP and I received bbbj, rimming and protected sex... then I think I got mild fever, skin rash, and I feel tired..... Flu like symtoms. all these symptoms that I had that point to HIV infection.

I am so stressed now. I don't dare to talk to my family. I stayed at home and almost didn't eat a lot for the entire week.
I will go for a checkup for sure. But I have to wait about 2 weeks.

I tried to think positive. I got fever before I saw the sp. and I started getting skin rash these recent years. Doctor told me the skin rash should be hives. And I read the sex rish chart that HN gave and realize what I did could be low risk.....

oh, man...... all these symptoms I got just drive me crazy......... i just feel like to talk about it....I hope some1 could say something to help me.

Hi Royal Perb

Sorry about the delay in getting to your post.

It is common for us to see men who think the worse after having sex. We usually find that their biggest concern is towards HIV as that is the worst and because the symptoms are so unclear.

HIV seroconversion illness is the name given to a group of symptoms that can occur when someone is newly infected with HIV. Typically it occurs 2-4 weeks after infection and has been described as “flu-like” e.g. fever, skin rash, swollen lymph nodes, feeling tired etc… People can get mild or severe symptoms and many people get no symptoms at all.

The main thing to remember is that these symptoms can be caused by many different things e.g. the common cold.

I see people on a weekly basis at the clinic who are very stressed because they have developed these “flu-like” symptoms. The message I give them is not to be too concerned as there are many different things that can cause these symptoms but to see it more as a reminder that something risky has happened and you should get a HIV test.

It looks like you wrote this post on Oct 10th (with symptoms) and that you had sex on Oct 4th (the Monday before). Let me know if I got this wrong. This is a short period of time for a HIV seroconversion illness to develop.

This worry, stress and anxiety can be unhealthy for people, physically as well as mentally. Many times we are more concerned about the person’s ill health from the worry/stress than we are concerned about the STI risk.

Royal Perb I would suggest that you come into one of our clinics for a chat and testing. We have found that talking openly with someone about your risk and concerns can really help.

I don’t know your full sexual history but from the type of sex you describe I would not be concerned about HIV. I would suggest getting all the STI tests as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis can be transmitted with a bbbj.

At our Vancouver STI clinic we currently have a new HIV test for men as part of a study. It is 90% accurate by 10 days after sex. Many people find that a negative HIV test can really help.

Here is a link to our Vancouver clinics.
http://healthnurse.wordpress.com/faq-about-sexual-health/4-sti-clinic-locations/vancouver/

It can be a difficult time for people as they are unable to talk about the issues on their mind with traditional support networks like partner, family, friends etc…

Any type of activity that will reduce stress or provide a distraction will also help. This can include any type of exercise, watching a movie etc…

To summarize I have found that talking to someone about your risk and getting a negative HIV test result can really help with a persons HIV worry.


HN
www.healthnurse.wordpress.com
www.bccdc.ca
www.stiresource.com