HIV question

[mopehaus]

My boyfriend and I have been together for almost three years in a monogamous relationship. He has my complete trust in that respect. For these past three years almost all of out sex has been unprotected. He usually tops me and we usually swallow each other's cum.

Recently he tested tested negative for HIV and all std's; i saw the his paperwork to prove it too. However, since we've been together, I haven't had an hiv/std test. Since we've had so much unprotected sex with each other for almost three years, and he tested negative for everything, is it safe to assume i'm negative for HIV too?

I will eventually get tested...it's just that HIV testing causes me so much irrational anxiety. I guess i just need to hear some new advice.

 

[NW007]

Get tested. The HIV test only takes 20 minutes, and you will lessen your anxiety. We should all be tested regularly anyway. The health officials tell me, we should be tested every 3 months or so.

 

[hottie1982]

It wouldn't hurt to get tested anyway. I
have protected sex with my lover and I
still get tested every 6 months. I do this
for just my own piece of mind. If testing
causes you anxiety, maybe you can go
to a clinic that keeps you
annoynomous.
Thats what I do. I don't get tested at
my regular doctors office. I've found that doing it this way causes me less anxiety.
I think you will feel better just getting tested. I'd do it as soon as possible!
Do it for your own piece of mind. Your
worth it!!

 

[3stripes]

I undestand your anxiety re HIV tests, however it is not safe to assume you are negative too.

Go get tested, the results should put a smile on your dial.

 

[Golliwog]

To me, knowing even bad news is less stressful than just not knowing either way. Your monogamous sex with your boy friend who tests negative is a good indication you also are hiv negative.

Go on, take the next step!

 

[fadeinout30]

Just curious to know why he got tested and you did not? Also, I do not believe you can test for all sexually transmitted diseases as most people tend to be carriers not showing any symptoms.

You should be fine if he tested negative for HIV. Most people believe HIV is easily caught because it is the most talked about and eventually deadly. However, every other std is far more catchable from hepatitis, hpv, herpes, etc.

If you were having unprotected sex prior to your current boyfriend and have not been tested, go get tested for HIV.

The general rule of thumb for HIV is if bodily fluids have been exchanged, get tested 3 months from that point as the antibodies will be detected in 90% of people. Then to be sure, one should get tested at the 6 month point where 99.99% of people will either show the antibodies or not.

HTH a little...

 

[3nipples]

is it safe to assume i'm negative for HIV too?

It's a fair assumption, but it's not a safe assumption.

 

[drhladnjak]

Also, I do not believe you can test for all sexually transmitted diseases as most people tend to be carriers not showing any symptoms.

Not true. The main reason in fact that everybody should regularly get tested is because often you won't show symptoms. The cultures for gonorrhea and chlamydia will come back positive even if you don't have symptoms. Same thing with the blood tests for syphilis, HIV and herpes (the last one isn't always offered but you can test for the antibodies in blood). The only semi big STD that can't be detected by a blood test or swab is HPV (the virus that causes genital warts).

 

[fadeinout30]

The only semi big STD that can't be detected by a blood test or swab is HPV (the virus that causes genital warts).

And that is the one that I was speaking of. According to gayhealth.com, about 50% of sexually active gay males have hpv, either on their penis or in/around the anus.

 

[drhladnjak]

Some numbers for HPV are even higher. Some studies have indicated a rate of up to 90% when you count adults who have or have had it at some point in their life. Pretty much every sexually active person (straight or gay) who's had more than 1 or 2 partners has been exposed to HPV. Fortunately, most people are totally asymptomatic in that they never get warts or certain cancers (cervical, anal and now some think oral) despite having the virus. Also, most people with healthy immune systems clear the virus on their own in time, so it's not like HIV where once infected you'll have it for the rest of your life.

Most important of all though is that HPV is transmitted by skin to skin contact, which means just touching genitals is enough to get it. There's still a case to made for condoms reducing the risk of HPV, but it's not as solid as for viruses like HIV.

 

[Cutboy22]

This may stray from the original poster's question but, to be properly tested for HIV, should you wait 12 weeks after having sex with that person before getting tested?

I had protected anal sex in which my partner never ejaculated, but during oral sex there was some pre-cum.

Regardless I'm still getting tested, but to be 100% sure, do I have to wait 12 weeks to get an accurate result?

Thanks

 

[KaraBulut]

Regardless I'm still getting tested, but to be 100% sure, do I have to wait 12 weeks to get an accurate result?

It depends on which HIV test.

The HIV test that is usually offered tests for antibodies to the HIV virus- not the actual virus itself. This is what is done in most "HIV tests" because it is a fairly cheap and accurate test. The studies say that antibodies are detectable in most people around 30 days after the infection. That is why most of the guidelines say that you should wait about 30 days after an exposure to get tested. A second test later at 3 months will ensure that you are negative.

There is another more expensive test that actually looks for the HIV virus (instead of antibodies to the virus). This test will provide a result sooner but you would have to see a physician to get an order for the test and you would have to pay the higher price for the test.

In most cases, the antibody test should give you the peace of mind that you're looking for.

P.S. Good for you for playing safe during anal sex. You've cut your risk down significantly by doing this.

 

[KaraBulut]

Yes, all donated blood is tested for various diseases including HIV, HBV, HCV, CMV, syphilis,..et al.

 

[drhladnjak]

Donated blood is tested for HIV (among other things). However, you're not supposed to donate if you've had sex with a man since 1977. Lots of people lie, but IMHO that's rather unethical.

More importantly, if you really are at risk for having contracted HIV recently, the last thing you want to do is donate blood at this time. If you only recently became infected, the chance of a false negative (test says you're negative when you're really positive) is much higher. That false negative could likely result in the infection of a donation recipient.

There are all sorts of ways to get tested for free or at low cost without endangering others. Your local county public health department or GLBT center is a good place to ask about available resources.