Another HIV question....

[anwserman]

I post on here occasion, but I just wanted to throw this out.

Nine days ago, I gave head to a guy who I am 99.9% sure is HIV+ (e.g., he lied about his status and I discovered elsewise afterwards). He didn't cum into my mouth, so I know the activity is low-risk. However, low risk doesn't equal absense of risk.

Anyway, a couple days after the fact I started getting sore muscles - 'phantom sore muscles' - basically, they'd hurt for a couple seconds, a dull throbbing soreness, before stopping and hurting elsewhere. In addition, the last couple of days my skin has been dryer than normal, tingly and sore. Not red, no rash that I can see - but it just feels like I'm recovering from a sunburn msotly everywhere on my body.

Ugh.

I'm going to get tested in about a month , and then in 2 months after that. Egad

Thanks.

EDIT: Ok, I've had some headaches but I think thats mostly due to anxiety. No fever (that I'm aware of) and like I said, no rash (that I'm aware of).

 

[fudebako]

... what was the question?

 

[anwserman]

Hahaha, just realized that.

Anyone have similar situations in case that this is HIV seroconversion (rare), or what condition this could be? It could be anxiety flaring up

 

[fudebako]

I'm not sure, as long as you didn't have any open sores in your mouth or anything, the risks should be relatively low.

But why put of getting tested? Why not get it now to see what the current signs are? I think testing is free at the health clinic, but that's for where I live.

 

[anwserman]

Because it takes 1 month for the average person to show HIV antibodies into their blood stream; if I got tested now, it might not show up and I'd get false negative test.

Hell, I might give a false negative in 1 month; its much more conclusive in 3 and almost 100% in 6; essentially 100% in 12 months.

EDIT again: Sore joints as well. Could be arthritis (runs in the family, am 25) and have had a history of it as well (rhumatoid arthritis)

 

[3nipples]

Giving head to this guy the way you describe, whatever his HIV status was, is very low risk. Pre-cum contains too small a concentration of virus to be dangerous. You're more at risk for other STI.

What you describe is how it feels when I drink wine, but that's because of an allergy... which is what your symptoms sound like to me... or it could be just your anxiety playing mind tricks.

 

[genthree]

your problem exists in your head. HIV is not easy to catch. you need to have open sores in your mouth in your particular case.
seroconversion takes much longer than 9 days, among the symptoms are night sweats and diarrhoea.
i just say DYOR. i am sure people will chime in with lots of advice so i will sign off.

 

[Nomenclature]

I've heard that the symptoms of mononucleosis - "the kissing disease" - are very similar, or identical to initial HIV-infection. I've spoken to a few gay high school or college students who got sick, Googled their symptoms and had a nervous breakdown; they had all the signs and symptoms of HIV, and were sure their life was over.


Both mono and herpes infection can cause a sore throat, coated tongue and fever or loss of energy.



Wait a few weeks and get tested for HIV. If it's negative, it could be a few other things.

 

[CuriousGuy83]

Ive had a very similar experience to yours so I know what you are going through. I have done a lot of research on the topic and there has never been a documented case of HIV being transmitted via oral sex alone. Some experts say that the whole sore in your mouth thing is a myth that even if there is an open sore, its still not going to be transmitted. Im not sure about this, but thats what ive read. There is a website called medhelp dot org and there is a HIV prevention forum where you can get a lot of info on the subject of oral sex and HIV and HIV in general. The experts on that site are very knowledgeable and are will answer your questions. If you browse through the posts, you will find answers to your questions.

As for the conclusive test results, the CDC says you need to wait 3 months post exposure for a conclusive test. You can get a test at 4 weeks and that will be 90% conclusive, but ive also heard that a 4 week test is 96%-99% conclusive. There is so much info out there, its hard to decipher whats true and what isnt. But from what Ive learned and read, HIV is really only transmitted via unprotected vaginal and anal sex, IV drug users, and mother-child (including breastfeeding).

The reason anal sex is so risky and that the anal membranes are damaged during sex and gives the virus an entry into the body. If you think about it, HIV has no real way to enter the body during oral sex, there is no direct way to the bloodstream, which is needed to be infected. Most times, if there is a cut in the mouth, the cut has closed and there is no longer a direct link to the bloodstream and therefore is no longer a risk. Plus, saliva has enzymes in it that kills HIV.

The CDC says oral sex has a theoretical risk, this means that it "could" happen, but if you look at science, it doesnt happen. There have been studies done on couples where one partner was positive and the other was negative and they performed oral sex on each other and the negative partner was never infected. This study was done over a ten year period. If all those people can have oral sex with a positive person and not be infected, then this one isolated incident likely means that you will not contract the virus as well. Some people will tell you that you dont even need to test because you were never at risk. I personally feel, get the test, just to put your mind at ease. But once you get the negative test results, accept it as negative, dont dwell on it, and move on with your life. Treat this as a life experience and learn from it and be thankful that you did not do more with this person that would put you at a risk. I have gone through this and dont wish it on anybody. I hope that this info has helped, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask, either on here or via PM.

 

[anwserman]

Thanks CuriousGuy.

It is still a scary experience nonetheless. I am going to wait until six weeks before I get another HIV test.

Egad, I know my risks are small. But at the same time, I don't know. Am I just imagining these symtoms - due to stress, anxiety, etc. Or do I have these symptoms?

 

[CuriousGuy83]

I 100% agree that this is a scary experience. Life is full of these little life lessons, we need to take them and learn from them. Get that test and come back and share your negative results with us, Im sure it will be negative.

 

[anwserman]

Yah, this still sucks tho.
The guy didn't ejaculate into my mouth - which I'm thankful for (reduced risk). And it's been about 14 days since the possible exposure, and I got an HIV test scheduled on June 21 (for a total of 6 weeks since the incident).

And so far, no real major symptoms. E.g., no rash, no night sweats and no fever that I've noticed. I get an occasional sore throat on occasion, but eh. I get that from time to time regularly anyway.

Thank you for that article SmontFort. Very informative.

 

[anwserman]

Ugh its been about 10 days since I last posted and I'm still nervous as fuck.

I have another HIV test scheduled on the 21st, but I'm just still scared shitless about it. Like, I'm noticing things about my body, and am freaking out hardcore about it.

It's been 28 days since possible (almost 99% likely) exposure to HIV. I've had no fever and no nightsweats, that I've can tell. Some possible skin discoloration on a small portion of my knee (but might have always been like that, just never noticed it 'til now). And sore muscles and joints on occasion (could be due to bad posture/bad shoes/overweight/arthritis). Sore throat sometimes too.

I need a hug.

....

I know that not all people get symptoms, but isn't it true that the majority of people who seroconvert get at least a fever + nightsweats, and a rash?