How can I overcome my HIV anxiety from past protected sex?

Question

Hi doctor,

I had a couple of protected vaginal sex encounters and unprotected oral sex. The first occasion was about ten years ago. The other occasion was nine months ago. I was worried all the time that I had HIV. Now I am married and my wife is pregnant. I am afraid that I have HIV and I transmitted it to my wife and the baby. Life feels hard for me right now. My wife just noticed swelling in her armpit, and I am noticing rashes on her back and face.

Please help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

Sorry to hear about your concern.

It is very easy to become worried about possible HIV infection based on symptoms that are often not related. At this stage, there are no clinical symptoms, for example, 'rash' or 'swellings,' that can be used to diagnose HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infection. The only recognized mode of diagnosis is doing a recognized HIV screening test, typically a quick blood test.

There are also very reliable side-room 'finger-prick' HIV tests available today; they are quick, easy to perform, and available at most primary healthcare facilities. By far, the best way to alleviate your concerns is, rather than worry about what possibly could be, to have yourself quickly tested at your nearest primary healthcare facility. If the test is negative, you will be reassured and no longer have to spend many days being afraid of what it could be.

Remember, even in the unlikely event that the test is positive, the treatment we use for HIV today (the antiretroviral regimens) is currently so effective in suppressing the virus that people can have a normal life expectancy as long as they take the medication and are properly followed up. However, there is no use in worrying about this if your status is unknown. The only way to address your concern is to have yourself tested.

I hope I have solved your query.

I will be happy to help you further.

Thank you.