Am I infected, Please help me!!

By lejordan777888

2 min read

I am so anxious and scared I don't know who to ask help for.
I am a seaman and my last HIV test was at Feb 2022, which is negative.

Was I at risk?

My ship was at Bangkok. At 24th Dec 2022 I had protected sex with a CSW girl at Bangkok. It includes protected vaginal sex and protected blowjob from her and unprotected hand job from her (where my thing might touch with her vaginal fluids from her hand). I used the same condom for both scenarios which I'm sure didn't break. After a moment's sleep I had sex with her again which is protected vaginal then I ejaculated.

Symptoms

Next day morning I felt burning sensation after I pee at tip of my penis so I ate 2g of Azithromycin (which I thought would cure some STDs) but burning symptoms didn't disappear which lasts till today.
After a week from that exposure I drunk so much at new year night.

Next day (after 8 days from my exposure), my whole body have severe whole body rashes which are so so itchy and together with chills and weak for three days which I thought are indicative of acute HIV infection. Then after 2 weeks from my exposure I don't see visible swelling but feel pain when I touch both side of my groin, lymph nodes.

Feeling very stressed

I am already stressed enough because of persistent whole body rash and itch then again lymph nodes pain, I am lost for hope.

Now I am almost certain I am infected with HIV as all these symptoms and timeline suggest within acute HIV ARS symptoms.

Limited access to testing

I can't sleep well, afraid to tell about my conditions to my crewmates, cannot go to shore clinic because COVID restrictions and now I am always thinking and browsing internet about HIV and my symptoms.

I will encourage myself to test for HIV if I can, but for now please, experienced members and doctors, help me about my risks. Tell me what to do and give me even if it is a straw of hope cause I am so lonely, so afraid and stressed with no help.

Interested in sharing your thoughts about living with HIV?

Share my experience

This article represents the opinions, thoughts, and experiences of the author; none of this content has been paid for by any advertiser. The H-I-V.net team does not recommend or endorse any products or treatments discussed herein. Learn more about how we maintain editorial integrity here.

Join the conversation

Please read our rules before commenting.

LizGreen Community Admin
<inline-mention username="lejordan777888" user-id="6710463"/> I am so glad you reached out, because I can tell through your writing how stressed and nervous you are, and I can see you are in a place where you may not have many to talk to about this. I hope we can help. First, there is a lot of misinformation and stigma out there around HIV and how it is transmitted. From what I understand, you had a negative test in February 2022, and an encounter more recently that you're concerned about. Do you know what this person's status was, and if they are living with HIV, if they were taking medication? Those taking medication can reach a state of undetectable viral load, where they cannot pass on HIV sexually. I think you are also noting that you used condoms during times you were at highest risk of transmission. HIV is transmitted through blood, semen, precum, vaginal secretions, and breast milk - it is not transmitted through sweat or saliva, and condoms are thought to be 80% preventative in heterosexual sex (more on that here: https://h-i-v.net/risk-reduction.) Do you know the privacy agreement with any medical staff on your ship? It is possible your symptoms are related to something else, and they may be able to help you if you feel comfortable describing your symptoms to them. - Liz (Team Member)
Khafre Kujichagulia Abif Moderator
Alafia (Peace) I want to echo what <inline-mention username="LizGreen" user-id="2047243"/> has already shared with you. I suggest you stay away from searching t g e internet regarding symptoms if HIV. I want to encourage you to stay connected with us so we can continue to support you through this process. Getting tested is your only way of knowing if you have actually contracted HIV. We are not medical experts so we can't share our thoughts about your risk. Please let us know the minute you get tested. Khafre (H-I-V.net Team Member)
Khafre Kujichagulia Abif Moderator
Alafia (Peace) <inline-mention username="lejordan777888" user-id="6710463"/> I want to follow up with you to see how you are feeling and doing? We hope that you have found the resources you need to navigate your diagnosis. Please reach back out to us so we can know how we can support you further. Khafre (H-I-V.net Team Member)
Dagger Member
What is the current condition pls tell