I am probably being paranoid,but here goes:
About 10-12 years ago I had unprotected sex with a co-worker.
I have no reason to believe that he was high risk.
I have no symptoms except for diarrhea, that my doctor says is IBS.
Does anyone know the difference between ibs diarrhea and the symptoms of hiv diarrhea?
Should I be worried?
Wouldn't I have had some other symptoms by now?
I have a 3 yr old son that i breastfed, and he has never been sick a day in his life.
I have read that hiv can be transmitted through breast milk, so if I were infected, wouldn't my son be? Wouldn't there be symptoms?

Any help is appreciated.

I am probably being paranoid,but here goes:
About 10-12 years ago I had unprotected sex with a co-worker.
I have no reason to believe that he was high risk.
I have no symptoms except for diarrhea, that my doctor says is IBS.
Does anyone know the difference between ibs diarrhea and the symptoms of hiv diarrhea?
Should I be worried?
Wouldn't I have had some other symptoms by now?
I have a 3 yr old son that i breastfed, and he has never been sick a day in his life.
I have read that hiv can be transmitted through breast milk, so if I were infected, wouldn't my son be? Wouldn't there be symptoms?

Any help is appreciated.
Since your encounter was 10-12 yrs ago, i'm sure you would probably be expiriencing some type of symtpoms. Undetected HIV goes about 8-10 yrs on average until it starts showing symptoms. If your doctor said you have IBS, then you probably have IBS. Aids related diarrhea is usually so severe that weight loss occurs. Did you get tested before you had your son? I know in CT women are urged to get tested when they are pregnant. Im not sure if its mandatory...but....oh well
Good luck to you!!

hello,
i don't think that you have anything to be worried about. you would have been sick by now, and so would your son. with a virtually undetectable viral load, transmission from mother to child is actually very low, but none the less i don't know the transmission rate via breast milk. since this is a very open and honest posting site, i think it is safe to say that the general population, no matter how conservative one may claim to be, has had unprotected sex. and out of all of those people, they too have the thought in the back of their minds. if it is really bothering you, go get tested. that is the only way you will not have to worry about it any more. 1000 people on here could tell you that you have nothing to be worried about, but the only way you will sleep better is the test. i took it a year and a half +a husband and baby after possible exposure----so i know how bad it sucks. remember too that HIV symptoms are the same symptoms to a million other things, you can't start thinking that every head ache, cramp, or flu you get is HIV related. you sound like a strong person, don't worry, get the anwer.

Most people will develop AIDS without treatemtn for HIV in 10 years. So, if your last possible encounter was 10 years ago, you would have had some symptoms by now, and probably have progressed to AIDS by now, wich would make you VERY ill, with clear signs. Also, many children who are born HIV+ expeirence tell-tale igns of HIV by 5 years of age. If you and your sone are healthy at this point, I would say there is NOTHING for you to worry about.

I think your in the clear.

My dr told me to increase my fiber intake to help with the ibs diarrhea.
It does stop the diarrhea.
If this were hiv related diarrhea, would fiber help?

I guess I am paranoid.....hard to accept a diagnosis of ibs when two drs have done no testing.
They just listen to my symptoms and say it is ibs.

One more thing for you Samantha:
You mention that you had a son 3 years ago, which would place it at about 2000. Since earlier than that it had become common practice to evaluate for HIV as part of prenatal care. Concordantly, if this holds true, that means 3 years ago everything was fine. Ergo, I see no reason to panic about this.

Every thing else has already been said by everyone before me. Please calm down. I have experienced IBS before, and it is scary, but, it does not quite relate to HIV as I had originally thought.

Yes, I was asked if I wanted a test when I was pregnant. It was not mandatory at the time.
I turned it down, as the thought of having this never even entered my mind until now.

Thanks for the advice....I will try to relax.

My dr told me to increase my fiber intake to help with the ibs diarrhea.
It does stop the diarrhea.
If this were hiv related diarrhea, would fiber help?

I guess I am paranoid.....hard to accept a diagnosis of ibs when two drs have done no testing.
They just listen to my symptoms and say it is ibs.


Did u not have an HIV test when u found out u were pregnant? Your OB is supposed to test you just incase so they could put you on meds to prevent transmission to your baby.I know with both of my children, I had been tested for HIV.(My youngest is 7) I know that u were and u probably dont remember. Dont worry!! Im sure your Dr. is right. you most definetly had symptoms by now!

No, HIV testing is NOT mandatory in pregnacy. It is only suggested, and a woman can turn it down.

However, like I said before, you would have had stmptoms by now, and also, since your child is now 3, he could have contracted in from the pregnancy and birth, and if he had, HE would have symptoms by now also, since it affects shildren sooner than adults. Your both healthy, and your both fine.

Good Luck to you~