"It was late Sunday night, that this guy and I fooled around. We ended up having oral sex together, both giving and receiving. Thursday night I started to get a sore throat. Now I've been really sick with the flu/cold. Prior to this incident, my body has been trying to fight off a cold or something. I could feel myself getting sick before this even happened with the guy. Plus, all this week, I havent' had a lot of sleep and worked a whole lot. But I'm freaking out, because I know that you can develop flu like symptoms if you've been infected with HIV. So, should be I be concerned?"
Your HIV Guide responds:
Thanks for the e-mail. Oral sex is a potential transmission route for HIV and several other sexually transmitted diseases. While you are right, oral sex is a lower risk activity it is possible. That being said it is unlikely the symptoms you are having is related to HIV infection. Three days is a little too soon.
Getting tested is a must; now, in 6 weeks and in three months. If all those tests are negative than you can consider yourself negative. Keep in mind that STDs are transmitted easier and therefore should also be tested for. If you don't have a doctor for these tests you can go to your local health department.
Chances are you have not been infected...but without a test there is no way to know for sure. From this point on, use a condom for any oral, vaginal, or anal sexual encounter.
