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Forum Name: AIDS

Question: Extremely worried person...please help

cyrus_4u - Fri Feb 02, 2007 9:53 pm

I am a 19 year old college student who has been very careless with his sexual life. I have had unprotected sex with 3 women in my life. The rest were completely protected. Recently, I have been experiencing flu like symptoms. Cold, Running nose, Cough, Sore throat, Lower Back pain sometimes and mild Headaches. I was down with flu for about 2 days around 3 weeks ago and now am down with cold like symptoms again. It might be the weather because its been gettin extremely cold here or I am hoping its not my sexual activity. I already gave my blood for testing today but they told me to wait for atleast 4 days. I am just freaking out. I don't know whats wrong with me. I do also have a tiny bump on my penis that does not go away. I am extremely worried about this and my mind is currently killing me due to stress. I am literally counting hours. Could you please tell me some stress relieving activities???? If a person does have HIV how much is he expected to live. Please help me out here.

Dr. Safaa Mahmoud - Sat Feb 03, 2007 1:09 pm

Hello, HIV is commonly transmitted through an unprotected sex with an infected partner. The risk increases when there is an ulcer or skin abrasion in the genitals or the oral cavity (in case of oral sex). The only way to confirm infection with HIV/AIDS is to be tested for HIV infection. Many infected individuals with HIV do not have any symptoms for years, thus you can not rely on symptoms. Your symptoms are very unspecific and may occur to all of us during this season with unstable weather. Infection with opportunistic organism that infect only immunocompromised people raises a suspicious towards HIV/AIDS infection, which is not the case. It is however, a correct step to go for HIV test as well as venereal consultation. HIV antibodies reach detectable levels in 1 to 6 months following infection. If your results come out positive for HIV, which means you carry the virus causing AIDS and does not mean you have the disease AIDS. There is no cure for AIDS uptill now but it does not mean you will die of the disease, since many opportunistic infections that commonly causes death in such patients can be controlled with increased life span and quality of life. Health care centers which provide screening of HIV can advise you for proper management. Best regards.

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