Anxiety symptoms or actual HIV risk?
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi, all.
In October, I had an encounter with a man who is not my boyfriend, now fiance. The encounter was unprotected vaginal sex, however he did not ejaculate inside of me. Other than feeling tremendous guilt, I have had no "tell-tale" HIV symptoms (fever, diahherea, night sweats, anything consistent with sero-conversion). I am also a graduate student and very stressed out in general. Recently, I began experiencing patches of dry skin, extreme fatigue, and severe anxiety symptoms. I had a negative rapid blood test in April, an additional one in early June, and just recently a fourth generation AG/AB blood test in a lab that came back negative. It has been approximately eight months since my last exposure, but now I have a mouth ulcer, frequent dry mouth, and I honestly can't tell if my lymph nodes are swollen or not. I keep assuring myself that I am just anxious and racked with guilt as all of my tests have come back negative, but I really need additional opinions. Similarly, I feel terrible for having betrayed my boyfriend and I can't bear to think that I could have passed something to him. Should I still be concerned about HIV? Am I just experiencing guilt-ridden anxiety?
0 likes, 7 replies
julio42427 fran37477
Posted
fran37477 julio42427
Posted
Thank you. I have, I've spoken to both my planned parenthood doctor and pcp and they both say that no follow up tests are needed as the results have been negative 6-8 months out. I just can't shake the feeling that something may happen and I'll go for routine blood work and find out that I do have HIV in the future.
julio42427 fran37477
Posted
ZEN. fran37477
Posted
I trod on a disgarded sharp and had 4 months with 5 tests. At 4 months consultant said 100% clear
fran37477 ZEN.
Posted
Thank you so much for your reassurance. Subconsciously, I know that I'm fine. I think it's the guilt that is causing me to be irrational and "experience" symptoms. I'm glad to hear that you're clear!
newhopes123 fran37477
Posted
Yes ,it's guilt that is causing your anxiety. I was in same situation as yours ,mine was triggered from blood products. If I had blood test I would get worried about infection.
Your fine. Just stop thinking about it or else it will grow bigger. You don't want to it become big enough that it would freeze your mind. If you are not able to control it early ,see a therapist.
Careful1 fran37477
Posted
Get another HIV test it your worried but for the future it matters nine that he didn't ejaculate inside you. During sex men pre ejaculate. Your not protected from STDS if you have unprotected sex and he doesn't ejaculate inside you, you can even get pregnant although not as likely from pre ejaculation. I think if it's been 8 months since the incident and you recently tested negative then you most likely did not have HIV and your just feeling guilty and having stress and anxiety over the situation...
In the future protect yourself, this time you were lucky but all it takes is one time as i am sure you know to ruin your life...
Best wishes