1/1000?? - HIV Prevention Message Board

09-18-2003, 11:06 AM

Thanks to you who responded to my last post. The 1/1000 risk of contracting HIV from a single exposure - is that from girl to guy, guy to girl, or both? How come HIV is as prevalent as it is if the risk of contraction is so low? I thought it was easier to transmit from guy to girl. Also, regarding symptoms in the first month of suspected infection, are the symptoms usually severe such as high fever, very swollen lymph nodes, etc or do they vary in intensity and duration? I'm experiencing swollen lymph nodes in my neck for five days now, occasional mild sore throat, had a very slight fever for two days but it's gone now, and for the last two days have felt tired a few hours before I usually go to bed. Are these characteristic of a common virus more likely than HIV exposure? Thanks.

09-18-2003, 06:38 PM

it is easier from a guy to girl because the female has a larger mucuous membrane area.
symptoms can be due to anything, especially stress, if any are severe get them checked by a doctor.
from what i read most ars symptoms start 2-4 weeks after exposure and last a week or two. it is also said to be feel like a bad case of the flu.
i don't recall the specifics of your exposure but a pcr dna at 28 days is a very good sign, as well as a 6 week elisa since the vast majority are said to seroconvert by then.
i too am worried about a possible exposure and will be going for my 13 week test next week.

09-18-2003, 06:40 PM

just read your other post. you could do an elisa at 2 months and get a very reliable result which may help the wait to the 3 month mark.