A
male
age
30-35,
*jmanny64
writes:This is probably going to be a long one but I'm worried! Recently I've been thinking about getting a HIV test but I'm too scared to do it and to tell anyone, I'm not sure if I'm positive or not, I've had sexual intercourse with about 7 people unprotected and last time I had sexual intercourse was about a month ago. Most of girls I've had sexual intercourse with have been virgins.The reason I have sexual intercourse unprotected is that I worry when it comes to using a condom and I find it hard to get erect. I will probably tell my dad tomorrow but I don't want him to get mad at me, I want his support and I haven't told anyone yet, I'm not as close to him as my mother so I want him to know I want him to know of my worries instead of me keeping it to myself or going straight to my mother who does not even live with me.I try and blank the worry that I am positive but always seems to daught on him every now and then. I nearly went to get a test done by myself but I couldn't do it alone, I needed a bit of support and my mates just laughed when I told them about it. How do you get tested for HIV/AIDS? Is it a urine test? or what?How should I go about telling him. I want to find out if I am positive or not. If I am them I would feel like I wouldn't want to be here!I am getting so worked up about worrying about this, I'm smoking 24/7 to get my mind of it but nothing helps. I need to tell my dad but I'm worried about his reaction.Please help :(
View related questions:
condom, hiv Reply to this Question
Share |
Fancy yourself as an agony aunt? Add your answer to this question! A
female
reader, georgiexx +, writes (25 March 2009):
 we've been doing about HIV in biology so here goes.... it is vital you go and see your doctor now, not only will you need to be tested for HIV but also STD's. it takes 3 months for the antibodies associated with HIV to be detected in your blood stream so even if the initial test says that you are HIV negetive you will need to be retested in 3 months. The first type of test is the HIV antibody test. This test shows whether a person has been infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. Antibody tests are also known as ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) tests. The second type of test is an antigen test. Antigens are the substances found on a foreign body or germ that trigger the production of antibodies in the body. The antigen on HIV that most commonly provokes an antibody response to a specific protein P24. Early in the infection, P24 is produced in excess and can be detected in the blood serum by a commercial test. The third type of test is a PCR test (Polymerase Chain Reaction test). The whole process of extracting genetic material and testing it with a PCR test is referred to as 'NAT'. PCR tests detect the genetic material of HIV itself, and can identify HIV in the blood within two or three weeks of infection. These tests will be done using a small sample of blood and a swab from your mouth. If you want to talk about anything in confidance feel free to contact mexx
A
female
reader, k_c100 +, writes (25 March 2009):
 Right well first of all you need to get tested ASAP!!! And not just for HIV, but a full test for all known STI's. Most major hospitals have walk-in clinics that you can go to for the full test (look online on the NHS's website) or you can go to your doctor or GUM sexual health clinic (again go online).
The HIV test is a blood test, but the results dont come back for 2-3 months. The other tests for other STI's are done by swabbing the urine tract (not pleasant for both men or women - they insert a small straw like thing down the urinary tract i.e. for you, down inside your penis) and they also take a urine sample to test for Chlamidya.
The results for the rest of the STI's take about 2-3 weeks, and if you go to a hospital walk in centre then they will only contact you if you have an infection. The tests only take about 1/2 an hour maximum, and they ask you a few personal questions before you get started so be prepared. It is pretty scary and not a nice experience but it is so important you get this done, you have had unprotected sex way too many times to risk not having a test.
I hope you do make sure you get tested and do it as soon as you can. Instead of spending your time worrying just get the test done, you will feel so much better that you have made that step to getting it done.
I hope this helps and good luck!
...............................
A
female
reader, molly4  +, writes (25 March 2009):
 The most common HIV tests use blood to detect HIV infection. Tests using saliva or urine are also available. Some tests take a few days for results, but rapid HIV tests can give results in about 20 minutes. All positive HIV tests must be followed up by another test to confirm the positive result. Results of this confirmatory test can take a few days to a few weeks.
heres a good websidte: http://www.hivtest.org/faq.cfm#tests
good luck! and i would strongly advise not to have unprotected sex again. its not worth the consequences!
...............................
A
male
reader, Danielepew  +, writes (25 March 2009):
 Oops! I forgot to mention that not using a condom also puts you at risk of giving the disease to someone else.
...............................
A
female
reader, birdynumnums  +, writes (25 March 2009):
 Please don't have sex again until you are completely sure about being negative. You are responsible for yours and your future partners health, and you need to inform or ask previous partners about their status. In other words, risky sex and putting you head in the sand, looking the other way because you can't get a condom on is spreading STI's.
Considering how devastating an HIV/AIDS diagnosis can be, wouldn't masturbation be a better option than going bareback after this scare, until you get the hang of your condom malfunctions and assuming you are negative? Sorry to be harsh, but you shouldn't be playing Russian roulette with your health this way. Good Luck, Dear.
...............................
A
male
reader, Danielepew +, writes (25 March 2009):
Since the disease is out there, you're naturally scared that you might get it. There is no guarantees you never will, just as there is no guarantee you won't get prostate cancer or leprosy or any other disease. However, you can, with your behavior, reduce the risk to the point that it will be next to zero.
I understand why you have unprotected sex and I am sure all men will, too. Your father won't get mad at you because you want to have sex without a condom, "the real thing". However, that behavior puts you at risk of getting the disease, and also puts the responsibility of rearing a child and impregnating a girl on your shoulders. So, by all means, use a condom, and don't sleep with people you don't know well.
Tell your father you've been having sex and are worried about AIDS and ask him to take you to the clinic or hospital where they will do the test. They will draw some blood for you, and that will be it.
I am pretty sure you don't have AIDS. I think you are not used to sex yet, and are worried about all the possible dangers and complications. It is good to be wise and cautious, just as it is good to understand what one is going through.
Don't smoke. That won't help you fight any disease, if you should have any, and it causes cancer. Plus, you get to spend a lot of money.
...............................
A
male
reader, philipgifts  +, writes (25 March 2009):
 Its a blood test that I think goes through the hapital b/c they have the equipment for it, but I believe you could go through your doctor but they'll send it to the hospital to run the test. I would say get erected before you put on the condom, masterbate for a minute and then put on the condom. I think that its responsable to get the test done though your dad will be mad, I think he'll be more upset and in sock over it, unless he new you were active in sex. It needs to be done though its your future thats at steak and you may need to start taking medicine if you do have it. Sit your dad down and tell him theres a possability I may have aid/hiv b/c I was sleeping around without protection. If you find you don't have it remember condoms is the only protection for us guys. I'm really suprized you didn't learn more about hiv/aids in health class. If you have it your amune system will be low in white blood cells, so you'll get sick easyer over time. But the medichine will help and hopefully in the future they will have a cure for it.
...............................
A
male
reader, 2old4this +, writes (25 March 2009):
 You get a blood test from a doctor. You ARE a little too active with no protection my friend. I think you should tell your dad anyway, then go and get the test. You will get the results in a few days. If everything comes out ok, then maybe you should slow down. Get a steady girlfriend maybe. But be careful from now on and work on using a condom from now on. Take care.
...............................
|
