I'm truly surprised at how many young
people have no idea about the hiv/aids
thing.
I was a little dumbfounded with the idea's
that some of these people have about how
one contracts this dis-ease.
By the way, this isn't a slam to you
guys...I'm glad your asking....Glad your
thinking about it.
It is a concern however that perhaps we
are not educating our young people well
enough on these subjects.
Nor it seems are we educating them on how
to research things...It is so easy to find
the information they seek...After all just
type aids symptoms into a search engine
and you get some 100,000 sites to choose
from.
I was in my late teens early twenties when
this whole issue was new, and we were
showered with literature on the subject of
aids, as well as news reports and that
type of thing. It does not seem to be
the case any longer however, as it is a
commonly known disease...So no more
literature coming to your doors.
Actually, thru other conversations etc...I
get the feeling like it has been quickly
brushed under the carpet and is a taboo
subject around the dinner table so to
speak, and I wonder if perhaps we need to
find a way to bring it back to the
foreground.
What do you guys think?
Is this what is happening?
I'd be interested in your ideas.
Peace
shannix
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Good Advise
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 105
I 2nd! Posted: 05-10-05 14:07pm
It's really sad that it has to come to a
blood test result in the year 2005 to rule
out a "risk."
however, most people have "close calls"
and may be given a 2nd chance. I guess
people think that the virus is like a
night out drinking. When you drink too
much all night, you throw up in the toilet
bowl wishing it would end, praying, etc.
I mean you'll get a bad headache, but
after the hangover...It goes away.
This kind of stuff never goes away. I
still pray! No hiv confirmation yet, and
I hope it stays that way.
I liked your posting! It was real human
emotion and experience.
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sandyallen
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 02 Feb 2004 Posts: 4580
Posted: 05-10-05 15:22pm
Hi there! Good post! I believe that
most people young and old have it drilled
in their head over and over and alot of
them feel that this will not happen to
them, they feel that their partners appear
to be clean and how many people do not
realize that they have std's until after
they have had sex with others.
Sincerely,
sandy
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tbsouth18
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 07 May 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Gosport, Hampshire
Posted: 05-12-05 04:47am
I would just like to ask if theres any way
of telling the 'likeliness' of contracting
aids. I know the more people you sleep
with, (particuarly if its condomless)
increases your chances. I am a male 18
and for a regretable time I recieved anal
sex to try it out. Both times were
unprotected and about a month or so away.
As yet I don't feel any different except
what I think as hemmorhoids. (itching,
painful swelling, and a lump) I assume it
was because of the straining from anal
intercourse. Should I get checked from
and std clinic. Truth is i'm scared and
although it was only 2 times, both were
unprotectied, and I know its more likely
when in from anal.
Also, can hiv be tested soon after you
have had sex. Or does it take a while for
results to show?
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Good Advise
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 105
Risky! Posted: 05-12-05 07:42am
Being the recipient of anal sex may be
considered the riskiest of transmission,
especially unprotected, especially more
than once.
Poor decision! However, it's not the end
of the world. Hiv is difficult to catch
and it depends on many cofactors.
Tests do exist that can give a clue if you
are in the early stages of hiv, but only
an elisa test at 13 weeks is what is
recommended and conclusive.
It is very important to remember that
while you are young and are experimenting
with your sexual identity, that you make
sure that you use a condom. No exuses!
Do not have sex, if you are the insertive
partner either or the receptive, until you
test.
Though I don't think you are having
anything to indicate hi, you must take the
responsibility and prevent anyone else
from catching it. It is part of the
eradication nation concept. Refrain from
sex until you test at week 13.
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2ferano
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Dec 2003 Posts: 3717
Posted: 05-12-05 08:50am
It doesn't matter how many people you
sleep with, or how many times you have sex
with them, because it only takes one time.
A lot of people on this site will try to
tell you your odds or say that it isn't
very likely, but that is nothing more than
an uneducated "guess"
i wish you luck, I really do, but in the
future, use condoms.
There is plenty of info about aids out
there, and all other std's and
consequences of sex, protected and
unprotected. I honestly don't understand
why so many people choose not to listen.
In some schools, I don't doubt that sex ed
is taught way too late, and probably by
someone who is too embarassed to really
teach it, and therefore, leaves very
important parts out. That is really the
only valid explanation I can come up with
for so many people with hiv/aids, all
other std's, teen pregnancies and unwanted
pregnancies (accidental ones that is, not
rape, incest, etc.) I know the majority or
people are stupid, but for goodness sakes,
please tell me not that many! And I am
not saying that everyone who has ever had
an std or an unwanted/unplanned pregnancy
is stupid, so please don't twist my words!
But the people who come on to these
forums and ask things like, "he touched me
down there, am I pregnant" or "i only had
unprotected sex once, so I can't have aids
right?" and the like questions, it just
makes me worry about our society.
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tbsouth18
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 07 May 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Gosport, Hampshire
Posted: 05-12-05 15:49pm
I did want the insertive partner to use a
condom but he ran out after practising it
with me once before, than went on without
a condom. The other time was for the same
reasons, and did it regardless. I should
get this checked out I feel really
shameful and scared. At such a young age
I wish I didn't in the all together but I
was rexperimenting and have promise
dmyself never to try it again! Regarldess
of hiv- results...
It makes it worse because none of my
family no i'm openminded and got up to
such things. I can't confound in them
without the fear of getting kicked out my
house. So, I guess I should go to and std
clinic and get it checked out! No signs
yet of anything but theres not always
signs at early stages...
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Good Advise
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 105
Shhhh! Posted: 05-12-05 16:21pm
You don't need to discuss your sexual
affiliation with anyone. All you need to
do is practice whatever decision safely.
Personally, i'm heterosexual and feel
that's the best way to be. However, all
I can do is give you advise on safe sex,
not what type of sex.
Try chruch! You'll be surprised if you
can talk to your pastor. Unless you
trust the person, keep your desires to
yourself.
You still require an hiv test at week 13.
I hope you understand that, and yes, you
might as well get a profile on all
std's.
Good luck!
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2ferano
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Dec 2003 Posts: 3717
Posted: 05-12-05 18:12pm
Actually it can take 6-8 months to get an
accurate test result for hiv. So, please
be very, very safe and then get tested
when it is time. Good luck to you, and
make sure you always have a steady supply
of condoms!
There is no "best way to be" when it comes
to sexual orientation. There is only the
way that you are!
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Shannix
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 26 Location: Colorado
Posted: 05-13-05 01:09am
Wow...Well...A few replies...That actually
have anything to do with this
thread...Lol...I"m teasing you all that
went off in a different direction...Please
don't take it personally.
Someone mentioned something about sex ed
in schools having teachers whom are
embarrassed to teach the subject, thus
some of the information is not conveyed to
the students...And I agree with you, that
it is very likely.
The biggest problem is in our homes
though, when it comes to this kind of
information and conversation...In the home
is where the impact is felt or lack of
communication is not.
The lack of communication when it comes to
these subjects, hiv, std's and sexuality
in general can be deadly for the child,
however, it is such a taboo still that I
think we continue to put our youth at risk
due to our embarrassment, or lack of
understanding ourselves.
Tbsouth18...Your situation actually
illustrates what i'm getting at in many
ways...I mean...Why wouldn't you be able
to go to your parents for heaven
sakes...And it seems like this is the case
for many many people in this world.
Lol...Sorry folks, I sense i'm getting up
on that soap box and proclaiming my ideals
about society and the need for change.
But I suppose it is true, it is my desire
to see one day a world where these
disease's are no longer a threat because
we all got together and educated each
other, and became an open understanding
society without prejudice or
discrimination about sexual orientation,
or against those whom have had multiple
partners etc.
Unfortunately, hiv comes to us here in the
us with a dogma of being the "gay"
disease, due to the fact only that it hit
that community first in our country and
has tended to stay primarily with in
it...Although there are millions of
heterosexual couple whom have contracted
the disease thru other means, and then
passed it along sexually as time has
passed.
Still...Because of this stigma...It makes
it all that more difficult to get us to
discuss these things openly, to not be
embarrassed etc...And to think...Somehow
that it is specific to one sexual oriented
group only.
Hiv is a world wide problem, and is a
disease that effects all human beings
regardless of sexual orientation.
It is a disease that could be combated if
people were smart about it, and simply
stopped and thought before engaging in sex
with whom ever.
Also, if we could loose this belief that
it can't happen to us...It's sort of like
people thinking that they can't get
cancer...Or diabetes, it happens...And
there are ways to minimize the risks, it
is a matter of being more in control of
yourself and realizing that even a
.Ooooooo1 % chance is to much and to take
precautions regardless of what your
partner might think.
I mean if my partner, whom claims love for
me, would leave me because I refused him
sex until he was properly covered...Then
who the heck is he?
Besides when you get with your lifelong
partner, and you are both checked out
equally and clean from std's and hiv, then
it's no holds bar...Lol...No more worry
unless it gets passed thru other means,
like open wounds, or something...But that
is rare.
Ok...I'm stepping down from my
box...Sheesh...I can be long winded.
Peace all
shannix
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tbsouth18
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 07 May 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Gosport, Hampshire
Posted: 05-13-05 07:56am
Don't worry, even if it is hiv- than i'm
never going down that path again, i'll
stay clean in all circumstances. It seems
funny but I don't want to consider myself
gay just by this act. Im not in any way
discrimination homosexuals. I did try it
and it will live with me forever as
propably the most regretable thing I ever
done.
So its been about month now should I get
checked or wait so the results are more
accurate?
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Shannix
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 26 Location: Colorado
Posted: 05-13-05 08:33am
I believe the earliest they can detect the
hiv is 3 months, and for sure in 6
months.
Contrary to popular belief...It's ok to
try on different cloths...In other words,
it's ok to make an educated decision about
your sexuality...One way or the other.
I decided to be heterosexual, and it was a
choice for me anyway.
One thing though...You don't need to feel
guilty about it...Nor regret your decision
to experiment...No matter what may come of
the hiv...You tried something new, didn't
like it...Put it back on the shelf and
carry on.
Simple.
But ya...Go get tested in about 2
months...Although you may want to go down
and talk to someone at the clinic about
it...They may have new information or
something, and as professionals would
advise you more clearly.
:)
peace
shannix
|
Good Advise
Experienced User , Rather EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 105
Pcr Posted: 05-13-05 11:08am
No, after 28 days from exposure, you can
request a pcr test. Instead of looking
for the antibodies, it looks for the rna
of the hiv virus itself. It's about 99%
after 28 days. Most experts consider it
conclusive after 28 days. You still need
an elisa at 3 months (kind of like the ice
on the cake), but it kind of gives you a
clue. The test us ultra sensitive. It
does record a lot of false positives,
which is why the cdc does not recommend
the test as to diagnose, but I did it
anyway. In other words, your body could
be fighting another type of virus or the
lab could've not cleaned the posting of
the prior test correctly.
The pcr is expensive too!
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Shannix
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 30 Apr 2005 Posts: 26 Location: Colorado
Posted: 05-13-05 11:16am
Good advice,
thanks...I wasn't catching on I
guess...Lol...So many advances anymore
these days...Very good though.
Blessings of peace
shannix
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2ferano
Extremely EHEALTHy
Joined: 23 Dec 2003 Posts: 3717
Posted: 05-14-05 16:45pm
But the bottom line is still that you
won't get completely accurate results
until the 6-8 month period. So, if you
want to get that other test, go ahead, but
if you get a false positive is it really
worth the stress? That's all up to you.
Just abstain until you know for sure.
Good luck!
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tbsouth18
New User, Becoming EHEALTHy
Joined: 07 May 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Gosport, Hampshire
Posted: 05-24-05 05:06am
Thanks, never again will I let this
happen, I think if someone told me the
risks before I had sex I would'nt go
through with it. But I was lost in the
moment and therefore did not think about
the possible diseases...
The advise has been good and it's cleared
my mind about alot of the worries I had
