Don't try and self-diagnose from the internet ...

[justaguy]

I've personally never had anything but oral sex, but exactly 3 weeks after my last encounter I got all these flu like symptoms. Before you know it, after reading the internet, I was convinced I had acute HIV. There's been many a sleepless night over the past week, which of course only made my flu worse. I began making all these plans about how I was going to tell people. And I was obsessed with googling stuff about HIV and trying to match up my symptoms with what they said were symptoms of HIV. And I was still convinced I had it, even after reading accounts that there had never been a proven transmission of HIV to the person inserting in oral. So 4 1/2 weeks have past since the encounter. I've just had a Duo 4th generation test, which is supposed to be near on conclusive at this point. It was negative. Well, that was a week and a half of my life I wouldn't want to repeat. It was a nightmare. I feel for the people that really have to come to terms with being HIV+. I got just a glimpse of what it must be like.
Best get to the doctor.

 

[Benvolio]

I've personally never had anything but oral sex, but exactly 3 weeks after my last encounter I got all these flu like symptoms. Before you know it, after reading the internet, I was convinced I had acute HIV. There's been many a sleepless night over the past week, which of course only made my flu worse. I began making all these plans about how I was going to tell people. And I was obsessed with googling stuff about HIV and trying to match up my symptoms with what they said were symptoms of HIV. And I was still convinced I had it, even after reading accounts that there had never been a proven transmission of HIV to the person inserting in oral. So 4 1/2 weeks have past since the encounter. I've just had a Duo 4th generation test, which is supposed to be near on conclusive at this point. It was negative. Well, that was a week and a half of my life I wouldn't want to repeat. It was a nightmare. I feel for the people that really have to come to terms with being HIV+. I got just a glimpse of what it must be like.
Best get to the doctor.

The other lesson is, if we decide to take a risk we are likely to have a period of extreme mental anguish worrying about the outcome. It really is not worth all the risks. Many of us have had similar experiences. If it happens, get tested ASAP. There is a high chance the worry will be unfounded.

 

[Kyanimal]

Another thought is that you simply contracted the Flu! And, you don't even have to kiss anyone, let alone blow them, in order to get it! If you're in their "sneeze zone", which can be up to 12ft., or touch something they've sneezed on, or sneezed on their hands, and then touched, and then touch your nose or mouth, the FLU is gonna getcha!

Most times the "Simple" answer is usually the best one.

"Guilt" can be a powerful amplifier of Many things that just aren't "real".

The "trick" (possible pun intended) is to not OVER Analyze.

In any case, it does sound as though you've contracted a Virus , just not THE Virus.

SO ... get Thee to a Medic, and let Them do Their Job!

(It's kind of like Me trying to do my own plumbing, making the problem worse, and having to call a Real plumber, and paying him more than I would have, had I called him in the first place! )

I'm certainly Happy to hear it's "just" The Flu! Now ... Go get those sniffles "Sorted", Buddy!

Just more reasons to ... in the long run ... No Matter What ...

Keep Smilin'!!
Chaz

 

[justaguy]

^ Chaz ... how do acquire so much wisdom? Must be all that experience eh?
Keep Smilin'

 

[Kyanimal]

^ Chaz ... how do acquire so much wisdom? Must be all that experience eh?
Keep Smilin'

HA!

The only thing about "Wisdom", through Experience, is that it takes TIME!

During which ... You're getting Older!

I guess that's why, as we get Older, we have an "urge" to try to implant that Knowledge we've gained into Younger Heads, in order to Save Them from the TIME required.

Too bad it NEVER works!

And, Yeah!, I "get it" that wasn't exactly what you were implying!

All the more reasons to ... Love You More!
Chaz

 

[Disturbance]

This kind of behaviour may lead to the development of serious mental disorders.
I advise you to take an HIV test every 6 months, and always use protection. If you can do theee 2 simple things you will most likely never be infected by HIV.
I understand your fears, but if those fears start to paralyze you, seek help.

 

[Special K]

Just out of curiosity, is it necessary to use a condom while engaging in oral sex only?

 

[Disturbance]

Just out of curiosity, is it necessary to use a condom while engaging in oral sex only?

If it makes you feel safer, than by all means go ahead and use a condom.

If you are the one who gets his cock sucked, the risk of contracting HIV very low if your partner ha no wounds in his mouth, and he is healthy otherwise.

Giving a blowjob is more of a risk, but it is still considered a very low risk.

However it is important to keep in mind that people with HIV-phobia don't care how much of a risk there is, they are annoyed by the existence of risk itself.

 

[hylas]

I don't mean to unsettle you... and admittedly, I don't know what a "Duo 4th generation" is... but doesn't HIV only show up on tests 3 months after the infection? At least that's what they tell me at the clinic where I go.

Anyway, you don't get HIV from oral sex, so it's a moot point.

 

[Disturbance]

doesn't HIV only show up on tests 3 months after the infection?

Actually, taking an HIV test 2-4 weeks after the "infection" shows whether you got infected or not in most cases.
The test at 3 months is to make sure that it definitely isn't there.
It is very rare that it takes someone 3 months to develop antibodies, but since they can't know if you're the kind of guy whose immune system reacts slowly, they treat you as if you were someone who has a slow immune system.

 

[justaguy]

I don't mean to unsettle you... and admittedly, I don't know what a "Duo 4th generation" is... but doesn't HIV only show up on tests 3 months after the infection? At least that's what they tell me at the clinic where I go.

Normal HIV tests test for antibodies to the virus. They normally start showing up in measurable numbers after the 3rd week and I think something like 75% of people by 4 weeks. The 4th generation tests measure 2 things. They test for antibodies AND they test for antigens, a type of protein on the surface of the virus. Antigens normally start showing up after 2 weeks. A person with HIV will test positive about a week earlier with this Duo test, compared to the standard antibody test. At 4 1/2 weeks after exposure they reckon more than 95% with HIV will show a positive result with the Duo. At 6 weeks they say its conclusive and will often refuse to test you again after that if you showed negative.