alright, i am one of those who came to seek the opinions of the experienced ppl around here... as like many others, i had sex with a sex worker of unknown hiv status.. and i got scared as well... actually this is the second episode of HIV scare that i had. First time, i got tested.. came out negative.. so i swear that i would never get myself into this type of situation again... but life is a journey ... not a destination, sometimes we have to go through things twice to learn a lesson... i mean that's human right.. Well, actually i just wanted you guy's opinions. If i had protected sex with an unknown HIV sex worker.. is there a high chance to contact HIV? Recently, i really scared myself, with all the muscle aches(minor ones) and some rashes... small rashes which i got on my body .. and i believe that was caused by bed bugs..if i am not wrong.. cos i sleep around anywhere in my workplace. no fever occured so far.. and i also wanted your opinion like do all the symptons come together or it comes one by one.. or only comes in one? Anyone exeperienced enuff pls provide me with knowledge cos i don't want to read up anything online anymore.. i trust the ppl here more as i have seen that you guys offer more realistic and trustworthy opinions. Thanks

Hi,

Go to Marc1974 ..."I broke a condom" reply i made and click on my seconded UCSF(UNIVERSITY OF SAN FRANSICO) site ending with the number 45. There you will find studies of various groups of people. You will find that with initial or (ARS) Acute retrovirus syndrome..HIV (ARS) can NOT be determined or be diagonosed by a particular symptom or symptoms. Some get no symptoms at all, and never know they have HIV, while others get a severe flu 2 to 4 weeks after exposure that is so bad that they have to even be hospitalized. Take a look at the studies and you will realize that even with the absense of a fever it does not mean you do not have HIV. Your only way to find out is to get tested at 3, and 6 and even 18 months respectivly. You will even find that those who actually show antibodies that small fractions of people do not show the antibodies for over a year or more if you click on the first link that i showed in Marc1974 reply. It is scary and you should be proud of yourself that you practiced safe sex, but even with condoms, nothing is 100 percent. So, my advice is to get to know someone first for several months and avoid sexworkers all together, and continue to practice safe sex. Its your life and you only get one, and all this stress and anxiety just is not worth it if you ask me...especially since there are so many diseases out there, no just HIV, and many do remain in the body for life too. You need to respect yourself and protect yourself more than ever and personally I am sure you deserve to have real love and great sex in your life with someone that wants the same.

Goodluck
JIMMYDEANTOO