Anyone who has had an HIV test..?

Question

Circumstances have led me to believe that my ex-boyfriend (whom with I was sexually active) may be infected with HIV.
Obviously, I'm going to get tested, but I'm terrified of the results being positive.
Anyone ever been tested for HIV? What do they do, and how long does it take for the results to come in?
How did you deal with the fear?

For everyone who is saying that it's not likely that I'd get it from a straight male - I recently learned he had sexual relations with a few other males before him and I started dating.

Answer 1

Of course it's very possible to get HIV from a straight male. Much research has taught us that HIV and AIDS is NOT the "gay male" disease. I have been tested for HIV twice (they say to get tested between each new sex partner) and both times I opted for what is called a Rapid HIV test. They prick your finger, take a drop of blood, and test it, getting results in 20 minutes or less. This test ONLY searches for the HIV antibody in your system (meaning you have been exposed and infected with HIV in the last 3 months). If they find none, they you're fine.

The standard HIV test is also a blood test and is usually sent away to a lab for more extensive searching. This takes 5-7 days for results to come in. I know it's a very scary idea to go get an HIV test, but if you do have it, you may be saving your life by catching it early and starting on treatment.

Don't let your fear get the best of you! Do what's right for your body and future and get tested!! Best of luck:)

Answer 2

As someone who has lived with HIV for 12 years I can tell you that there is life after a being diagnosed with HIV. Even though as a HIV researcher I had worked out what the answer was, it was still a sledge-hammer blow and very numbing. Current medical treatments mean that you can expect a normal life expectancy.

Its a life sentence not a death sentence.

I would advise you to go to a specialist rather than your GP as the former do this sort of thing every day. They will give you a full sexual health check as you may also have a STI which make it easier to get HIV and other infections. If you go to a sexual health clinic they will treat you with respect and will look after you and your fears, they will educate you and support you, rather than just test you. With knowledge and caring people to fall back on you can shut out the fear, but perhaps not completely until you get the result.

Its seems you made the same mistake as me and many others. After 5 yrs of relationship, I did not think the man I loved could infect me with anything so we started to experiement with not using condoms. I thought he had not been exciting enough to get HIV. I wish I had had the strenghth of character to insist that we go to testing together before we gave up the condoms. Now I know why he didn't want to. I knew all the science but not the social...not the personal story - hence why I am telling mine.

So take courage, go and get tested and be a better person because of all of this.

All the best and remember there are always people like me to help if you do get HIV.

Answer 3

For the record I have been knowingly HIV positive since July ‘05.

Q:”What do they do, and how long does it take for the results to come in?”
A: Go to a cdc (center for disease control) found in a health department for free anonymous testing. Either call and schedule a testing time or go in and wait. As far as the time it varies due to how far they must send off the sample or if they do the testing on site. Where I live it’s relatively slow, about two weeks.

Q:”How do you deal with the fear?”
A: Not knowing whether or not you have an STD or may be pregnant is scary for everyone. I went in because I had been with someone of “questionable” HIV status. You’re doing the right thing in getting tested because if you do have HIV you’ll want to start going to get blood work done routinely to monitor how much of the virus is in your blood and your CD4 count (the cells that help your body fight the virus). The types of medications they have now are far better than what was out 20 years ago. Just remember that you’re doing the right thing in getting tested and try not to obsess over it.

Like others have said, get the test redone in about six months if these come up negative because the viral load may be so low it’s undetectable or it might be dormant. Take care!

Answer 4

A straight male can have it even if they've never seen another guys penis. Girl has sex with bi-guy, she has it. Girl has sex with straight guy, he has it. It's retarded to continue to beleive that only gay men can contract the disease. IT GOES BOTH WAYS!

Anyways, I've been tested twice *came back clean, thanks much* because, well, I'm a bit retarded when alcohol enters the scenario. All they do is take some blood and send it off to be tested *or test it there, it depends* and then it takes up to two weeks *that's my guestimation, meaning the time varies and I think I had my results both times within a week* for the results to come back. Depending on where you live and maybe how old you are you might need to make an appointment just to get the results. I did the first time, then I guess they changed the law and was told over the phone the second.

Why do you need to make an appointment to get results? If they tell you you're possitive over the phone, you may do something crazy. If you know they'll tell you over the phone only if you're negative, then you know you're possitive and might do something crazy. They bring you back in on the chance that you're possitive so that they can tell you what you should and shouldn't do, give you the rules, so to speak.

And the fear? I had nightmares, to tell the truth. But it's just one of those things you've got to deal with. Better to freak out for a couple weeks and know then to write it off and possibly infect others *you sleep with one guy, he goes sleeps with three girls... gets traced back to you're guy*. Don't worry too hard, if your fears become a reality you can deal, and if you find yourself clean then you will be releived.

Also, make sure to get a re-test done 6months from the last time you were "exposed" to him, just to be sure.

Answer 5

I get tested routinely, twice a year. I don't usually have a reason to suspect I have an infection because I'm pretty careful. I happen to be a big fan of being responsible about my own health (and I hope more people will adopt this stance).

The public health clinic where I get tested does blood tests for HIV. However, many facilities offer oral swab tests, too. If you haven't made the appointment yet, call around to different clinics, ask them which test they do, and how long it takes for them to give you results. In my case, I was supposed to wait a week for my results, but as it turns out, the results came in much faster, and I have access to the laboratory database because I work for the health department.

There is a rapid test for HIV. It is a blood test, and it yields results in 20 minutes. Call around to see if it is available. Otherwise, wait times are anywhere from one day to two weeks.

As for fear, I find meditation to be very calming. You can also call an HIV helpline (look in your phonebook for an organization in your area) to talk your fears over with a trained counselor. Should your test results turn up positive, you will sit down with a certified HIV counselor who will help you discuss your diagnosis, what it means, and help you through your fears.

Answer 6

I was terrified of the results...they took blood. It was negative and i freaked myself out. when I thought about it, knowing is way better. The person you love in the future or now's life could be at risk because you dont know what is going on in your body. And there are tons of options now. Just try to relax and keep yourself busy. The results come in about 5 days after the test. It is really rare for a straight male to have HIV...and women are low-risk for it also. Try to think about all those things and good luck with everything...ill cross my fingers for you and hope to god your clean.

Answer 7

With mine they took a blood sample. It was hard sitting in the waiting room because you see all these sick and nervous people. No one really talks and you can hear people breathing. After they took the blood I bolted out of there. Waiting for the results is nerve racking. Just try watching TV, going for walks, hanging with friends. You won't be calm until you actually get the results.

Answer 8

They will draw blood and then it usually take anywhere from 1-2 wks for the results. Waiting is the hardest part of the process. I got my results within a week and they were negative. I wish you the best!

Answer 9

if your final unprotected come upon grow to be below 30 days, await that and get examined. It takes that long to stumble upon antigens. There are unfastened clinics in each and every single place in US, yet uncertain approximately Southeast Asia. i grow to be such as you and found out i grow to be merely fvcking fortunate. a lot has to do with no matter in case you're backside or splendid. If backside, you're a lot greater possibly to get contaminated. in case you're able to desire to understand greater, deliver me an email.

Answer 10

its just a blood test....but its not common to get it from a guy so dont freak until you know if you do or not....