HIV Fear-Please talk sense into me

[BejeweledMexican 32]

So....I’m having this fear. And I’m freaking out. I’ve had this fear before but never thought much of it after a day or two. Well this time it’s back because the past two days my throat has been really sore. I thought it was just allergies but now I’m not so sure, it makes sense with my body being in pain all the time. I’m just not sure. I’ve had unprotected anal sex before (just being honest) and that was because 1. No sex ed in high school and 2. Young, dumb, and stupid 3. **** 

I’ve had it 3 times with 3 different guys. I’m pretty sure none of them have ever ‘done’ anything, ya know, but one of them was my boyfriend who I found out was cheating on me. I had no idea, so that was what really caused my anxiety. It’s been almost 2 years now ...I’ve heard something about AIDS not showing up for like 10 years....is this true? I’m too afraid to google. I’m sure most people think I’m disgusting right now, and yeah, maybe I am but I’m just anxious. 

My boyfriend wants me to get tested, just because he wants me healthy, but my family has no idea I’ve done anything before so I want to keep it low key and I’m too poor for treatment if I do have it. I’m just terrified. 

[utrocket09 115]

4 minutes ago, BejeweledMexican said:

So....I’m having this fear. And I’m freaking out. I’ve had this fear before but never thought much of it after a day or two. Well this time it’s back because the past two days my throat has been really sore. I thought it was just allergies but now I’m not so sure, it makes sense with my body being in pain all the time. I’m just not sure. I’ve had unprotected anal sex before (just being honest) and that was because 1. No sex ed in high school and 2. Young, dumb, and stupid 3. **** 

I’ve had it 3 times with 3 different guys. I’m pretty sure none of them have ever ‘done’ anything, ya know, but one of them was my boyfriend who I found out was cheating on me. I had no idea, so that was what really caused my anxiety. It’s been almost 2 years now ...I’ve heard something about AIDS not showing up for like 10 years....is this true? I’m too afraid to google. I’m sure most people think I’m disgusting right now, and yeah, maybe I am but I’m just anxious. 

My boyfriend wants me to get tested, just because he wants me healthy, but my family has no idea I’ve done anything before so I want to keep it low key and I’m too poor for treatment if I do have it. I’m just terrified. 

One...you should be using condoms regardless. Two sore throat has nothing to do with HIV/AIDS. 

The reason AIDS does not show up for years is people have HIV before full blown AIDS. 

You also need some proper sex ed.

Sorry to be so blunt...but this is ridiculous.

[BejeweledMexican 32]

3 minutes ago, utrocket09 said:

One...you should be using condoms regardless. Two sore throat has nothing to do with HIV/AIDS. 

The reason AIDS does not show up for years is people have HIV before full blown AIDS. 

You also need some proper sex ed.

Sorry to be so blunt...but this is ridiculous.

No it’s okay, blunt is good. I figured people would react kind of weird about it anyway. 

I agree, now that I know....condoms are good. Believe it or not I grew up so sheltered that I thought condoms were only another form of birth control and we didn’t have sex ed in high school so legit I knew nothing. 

[Angelica Schuyler 217]

Do you have a gynecologist that you see? Do you have health insurance to see one? Is there a Planned Parenthood or other low-cost women’s clinic near you? I doubt you have HIV, but you should be getting pap smears every few years and you should have STI testing if you are or have been sexually active with multiple people. STIs are generally treatable (not that you have one), and it protects your partner, too. Testing is totally confidential; just tell your fam you’re going in for a pap.

Women’s clinics are also a good place to get information about safe sex and things like condoms, dental dams, and the like. I definitely think you should contact a provider for a checkup and to put these fears to rest.

[BejeweledMexican 32]

Just now, Angelica Schuyler said:

Do you have a gynecologist that you see? Do you have health insurance to see one? Is there a Planned Parenthood or other low-cost women’s clinic near you? I doubt you have HIV, but you should be getting pap smears every few years and you should have STI testing if you are or have been sexually active with multiple people. STIs are generally treatable (not that you have one), and it protects your partner, too. Testing is totally confidential; just tell your fam you’re going in for a pap.

Women’s clinics are also a good place to get information about safe sex and things like condoms, dental dams, and the like. I definitely think you should contact a provider for a checkup and to put these fears to rest.

I agree that I should be tested but doctors terrify me. Plus don’t Pap smears show if you have cancer? Sorry to be annoying I’m just so unenducated and have no one to talk to about it and I refuse you google

[Angelica Schuyler 217]

Not annoying at all! Yes, pap smears are tests for cervical cancer. Most women should have them every three years. Gynos will manually and visually (as much as they can) check your cervix and other reproductive organs before your pap. HIV, HPV, and tests for other STIs are offered at the same time. Those are urine, blood, or genital swab tests depending on what they’re testing for.

[Leah1976 301]

hey how old are you? are you in the US? you should get yearly check ups with your gynecologist or family doctor. They can help and order STD tests, HIV, etc. If you are VERY scared you can even get an HIV test kit over the counter at CVS, walgreens, riteaid. I did that when I was in college and freaking out about HIV. Good luck to you.