How long after unprotected sex do i know i’m gonna be OK?

July 2007

Question:
How long after unprotected sex do i know i’m gonna be OK? I’ve had a sexual encounter without a condom a while ago and i wanna know HOW and WHEN do i know for sure if i haven’t caught HIV/AIDS ( or other STD’s) without having tests done,please!? And if i have , what would be the simptomes over time?

Answer:
AIDS prevention is one of my missions. You will never know if you’re HIV (+) until you get really sick, which could take years. An HIV test at 3 months and again at 6 months is the only way to get your answer. Of course, this is provided you’re not having any unprotected sex during this time. Now, some people will have mild flu-like symptoms about 2-3 weeks after being infected, but even if they notice them, they probably won’t attribute them to being exposed to the AIDS virus.
I know you’re scared, but you need to do this. You’ll feel much better and will practice safer sex once you find that you’re negative. If you are positive, the earlier you get treatment the better.
It absolutely breaks my heart to write this, because I do understand your fear. I work with AIDS patients almost everyday and it’s very sad, but especially sad when they’re very young. And those are the people who AIDS is hitting hardest right now.
Now you probably have nothing to worry about. There’s a very good chance that you will test negative. Then you’ll realize that this scare may have been the best thing that ever happened to you. Because here’s the thing, if you don’t get tested, one day this fear you’re feeling right now is going to blow over and you may just take one more chance. That chance could be strike #3.
Please go and get tested!
As far as other STD’s go, some may not show any symptoms at all, especially if you’re a girl. But if you’re a guy, the only STD that I can think of at this very moment that would be evident very early on (within days), with very pronounced symptoms that you would have to address would be gonorrhea (the clap). It’s too painful not to, and symptoms come on pretty fast.
Syphilis, I rank this one behind AIDS. It can lead to death, although it’s not a fast death. It’s transmitted by the blood and is diagnosed by a blood test. It’s first symptom is a painless sore at the point of entry of the spirochete to the body. Yes I said spirochete. Syphilis is not caused by a bacteria or virus. It’s actually caused by a little worm-like organism that makes holes in everything it comes in contact with, including vessels, organ, etc. It is very easy to treat, however, in the first stages.
Herpes symptoms can be, but not usually, so mild that you won’t notice. Genital warts may take months or years to appear. I group these together, because once you have them, you always will. But the stigma has lightened on these two, because so many people are infected with them.
All the rest of the STD’s are pieces of cake. Although some of them may cause serious complications if left untreated, they can be cured very easily with either a shot or some pills (either antibiotics or antimicrobials).
The main thing is that you must be treated. Don’t be embarrassed. Your doctor has no right to be judgmental. He or she will treat you and your problem with professionalism. You can also try the health department if you don’t have the money to see a private doctor. They charge based on income, so if you have no income, you won’t have to pay anything.
And remember, if you’re not yet able to readily go and get help for these type things when they come up, you may need to rethink having sex right now. What’s the rush anyway? It’s darned sure not worth it!