HIV & Me

I thought HIV wouldn’t happen to me and had sex with lots of partners, sometimes unprotected. I was diagnosed with HIV a month ago and have told a few friends and my mother, who hasn’t taken it well. I feel scared and vulnerable.

It’s hard finding out you have HIV and having to be the source of information for your mother and other people when you’re already feeling pretty upset. Your clinic should be able to provide some support for your mother and friends. Getting someone else to support her may help take some of the strain from you and make you both feel more optimistic.

There are also lots of support networks available, such as Terence Higgins Trust (THT). It offers a confidential, one-to-one helpline with trained operators who can talk to your mum, and provides booklets on HIV your mum can read.

Clinical nurse specialists can answer your questions, alongside counselling and advice from your local HIV support group. This help and reassurance should help you get on with your life.

Most websites suggest you should wait three months before getting tested accurately, but some sites I’ve visited suggest you can get a test at four to six weeks.

By five weeks most HIV tests will pick up the majority of HIV cases. However, most authorities would still advise re-testing three months after you were at risk.

Are there any sure-fire symptoms of HIV?

Around half of newly infected people will develop symptoms during the early phase of infection. These are variable but are typically flu-like, while others include enlarged glands and rash. After this phase, the course of the virus is variable. Some people have symptoms such as fevers and persistent large glands; others have none.

If HIV remains undiagnosed, there may be no symptoms until the person gets sick because of their low immunity, and there’s no particular rate at which the immune system declines.

Common symptoms have many causes. There are a few ‘classic’ HIV symptoms but, ultimately, we encourage everyone to test at least once.

In HIV & Me, there was a clinic where you can be tested in 15 minutes. Where can I find out more information?

THT offer tests, as do other private services. All NHS sexual health clinics ( or genitor-urinary medicine ‘GUM’ clinics) offer testing, as do most GP surgeries. Don’t forget you may be able to get a rapid result at an NHS clinic depending on your risk, and will be offered free advice, testing and treatment.

I’m convinced I’m HIV positive. I had vaginal sex with a guy and although a condom was used, I don't think he put it on straight away. In the next few weeks I started getting colds, sore throats and rashes. I know I need to test but can't face going to a clinic and being told the result.

The sex you describe is low risk and it would be unusual to develop HIV symptoms so quickly. As it’s now over the recommended interval of three months, go to a clinic and have a test. You can get a full screen at your local GUM clinic and speak to a trained counsellor about your concerns.

I had a full sexual health screen this morning. I can collect the results now, but can’t bring myself to phone, as I’m too scared.

You’ve done the hardest bit, which is getting yourself to the clinic and having the blood taken. The easy bit is finding out for sure and moving on with your life.

I’ve been reading about HIV infection rates and they appear to be extremely low for the number of individuals who’ve contracted HIV. Assuming no condom use, there are an estimated five infections per 10,000 exposures of vaginal intercourse. How can something with such a low infection rate become so common within certain countries?

Five infections per 10,000 is a rate of 0.05 per cent. It’s always difficult to estimate rates of sexual transmission and there are different studies with different results, but an approximate figure of 0.1 per cent per act of unprotected heterosexual sex is often used to advise people of risks.

The risk is greater if there are other infections present, for example ulcers secondary to herpes infection, and we know these infections are very, very common in the developing world.

Sexual transmission is not the only route of HIV transmission in developing countries - contaminated needles are another route, for example.

To be safe, regardless of the relatively low transmission rate, all sexually active people should have a sexual health screen and encourage their new partner to do the same. Condoms are the most effective method for reducing transmission of HIV and other STIs.

I had sexual contact with a guy, not intercourse, and we used a condom. Should I get tested? What are the chances I could be infected with HIV or any other STI?

It depends on the exact nature of the contact. Many clinics now use a test that will detect HIV within four to six weeks of exposure. A genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic or your GP can check for other infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea and syphilis.

Infections including genital warts and herpes can also be transmitted without penetration. I think it’d be sensible to go to a sexual health clinic to have a chat about the risks of various infections and contraception advice.

How accurate are tests at a GUM clinic?

The risk of a false negative test is very low and the general advice is that if you’ve tested negative three months after the potential exposure you can be reassured you’re negative. Extra tests can be done in the rare circumstances that it’s felt an individual is very likely to have HIV but has tested negative.

False positives are slightly more common. If you have a ‘standard’ test that is sent to the lab then any positive results are rechecked immediately with a different test, and only if both are positive is a positive result given.

With the rapid tests (where you get a result in as little as a couple of minutes) there’s no opportunity to do a confirmatory test before you get the result.

Around one in 100 tests will be a false positive. The clinic where you test will explain this in more detail.

I had protected sex with a partner but the condom slipped off. I’ve been to a GUM clinic twice in the last five weeks and tested negative for HIV or other STIs. I’m still worried I might be positive.

Ask the clinic the type of tests it uses. If it’s a combined ‘antibody and antigen’ test then you can expect a result by four to six weeks, although clinics still recommend a test at three months. It was sensible to have a full check-up, but would also be sensible to repeat a syphilis blood test as this can take longer to show up.

You should avoid any unprotected sex while you await the final results. If you do have unprotected sex with an HIV-infected partner you should contact your local GUM clinic or accident and emergency department within 72 hours (ideally 24 hours) to discuss the risks and whether you should take a short course of anti-HIV drugs (called a post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) course) to reduce the risk of transmission.

What are the risks from oral sex?

The risk of catching HIV from oral sex is safer than unprotected anal sex but it isn't risk free, as many people think. Other sexually transmitted infections can affect the mouth and the throat (gonorrhoea, syphilis, herpes) and if one of these is also present at the same time the risk of catching HIV from oral sex increases.

My husband and I decided we'd like to get ourselves tested for HIV. How can we find out a clinic in our area as we don’t want to ask our GP?

You can go to any GUM clinic in the country (you can find them in your phone book or use the FPA (Family Planning Association) free GUM clinic search. Some do a same-day or rapid test.

If you look up the sexual health or GUM clinic in a hospital of your choice they’ll be able to tell you the services they provide. No information goes to your GP unless you give permission.

I had an HIV test about six months ago and I haven’t been able to pick up the results. I somehow just know I’m HIV positive but am so scared and have a block about going back.

Whatever the result, you’ll feel better knowing rather than living with this terrible anxiety. Visit the clinic so you can have a discussion about your results and your worries. If it’s negative you could also spend some time getting information about staying safe too.

It’s difficult to find the time to go to a sexual health clinic but I’m keen to get tested. I want to use a home HIV test kit I’ve seen on the internet. Do you think they’re reliable?

The best place to get a test is in a medical setting, ideally in a GUM clinic because the tests used have all been through a rigorous quality control process, and they can be double checked before giving you a positive result. There’ll also be substantial information and support available to you, whatever the result.

Many clinics now can offer rapid test results at times that are fairly flexible.

My partner died of AIDS at the end of 2006. It was such a huge shock for me as we had been in a very close relationship for seven years. I feel very isolated and bitterly regret not insisting he took an HIV test when we first met in 1999, as he would probably have tested positive at that time and with antiretroviral therapy would almost certainly be here today. How can we make sure other people do not lose their loved ones so needlessly?

Thank you for sharing this - I hope it may help other people test earlier. Leaving the diagnosis too late is now the major reason people still die of HIV in the UK, at a time when good treatments are available. In terms of support, the medical services that cared for your partner may have some additional support they could offer you, or put you in touch with the right services. THT can always offer help and advice in your local area.

Would I have been tested for HIV as part of the standard procedure of giving birth and, if so, can I have access to my test results?

All pregnant women in the UK should be offered an an HIV test and even more importantly, get the results. You should find out from the hospital if you had the test and what happened to the results.

I visited a female sex worker and had oral and penetrative sex, but both using a condom. Have I put myself at risk?

The activity you describe is low risk but all sexually active people should test at least once. It would be an opportunity for staff at the clinic to discuss the risks of various sexual activities if you’re worried.

My partner and I recently took an HIV test. His results were positive, while mine was negative. He's obviously finding it very difficult accepting the news and I sense he wants us to break up. I don’t know if I should give him some space, even though I want to be with him.

If you can, try and go together to the clinic where either you or he had the test and ask to see the health adviser. They’re experts in supporting people who find themselves in this position. If it’s difficult to go together, then you can go back to the clinic yourself and discuss the situation further with the health advisers or nursing teams. You both need time to talk the implications through together.

While helping a woman who’d cut herself in an accident, I accidentally got some of her blood on my hand and am worried I might now be HIV positive.

HIV can only be passed on with the exchange of body fluids. Even if the woman had the virus in the first place, her blood would have had to enter your blood stream. Unless you had an open wound already on your hand , I wouldn’t worry but see your GP for further advice if you are unsure.

I’ve only had penetrative sex once but used a condom. I’ve had oral sex a number of times and occasionally my private parts have touched another guy’s. Recently, I believe I’ve had symptoms of HIV, like sore throat, skin rash and general aches and pains. Is it likely I have HIV even if I haven’t had unprotected penetrative sex?

The sex you describe puts you at very low risk for HIV. There’s a very small risk from oral sex. Penetrative anal sex is higher risk but condoms are protective if used properly. If there was any penetration before a condom was used, if the condom split or if certain lubricants were used (oil-based lubricants for example can damage condoms) then there is a potential risk.

Sore throats, aches, pains and rashes are all very common symptoms and there are many causes, including HIV. If you’re worried, have a test to put your mind at ease. You can also have a full screen to check for infections such as syphilis and gonorrhoea, which are more likely to be transmitted through oral sex than HIV.

When you have an abortion blood tests are taken and they ask if you want to be tested for certain conditions. Would that have included a test for HIV?

You should have been told if HIV was on the list, you should have been offered an HIV test and given a chance to discuss your situation. This is true for all tests that are offered and if you don't know what you’re being tested for, always ask for more information.

Can you contract HIV from tattoo needles?

A risk does exist if instruments contaminated with blood are not sterilised. Ideally, instruments should be disposed after each use. Reusable instruments or devices that penetrate the skin and/or contact a client's blood should be thoroughly cleaned and sterilised.

People who carry out body piercing, tattoos or hairdressing should follow ‘universal precautions’ designed to prevent the transmission of infections such as HIV and hepatitis B. If you’re concerned about the sterilisation procedures then get a test for HIV, hepatitis B and C at your local clinic or GP.