I have recently heard that a person can carry the HIV virus and pass it on, yet not test positive for it for as much as 10 maybe even 12 years.<P>What do we do. My H had unprotected sex with a very worldly woman. He has been tested and so have I and we are both negative, but if he could still get AIDS for up to 10 years, do I just live in fear for all that time. <P>I would like to insist that he use protection, but he just says I'm paranoid. He didn't think it was a problem during his affair and refuses to accept how naive he was to think that she wouldn't expose him to anything.<P>Even discussing it becomes a major LB. It is also affecting my attitude toward sex with him because I am distracted with fear.<P>

LuLu, if you go to <A HREF="http://www.google.com/" TARGET=_blank>http://www.google.com/</A> and do a search on HIV, you'll get more accurante information.<P>But to the best of my knowledge, I think you're SLIGHTLY confused. HIV can be PRESENT for up to 10 years without symptoms, but I believe that antibodies will show up with in six months.

What brought this up is that I read a study that said that if a person is exposed to someone who is HIV positive, they must be tested every 6 months for 10 to 12 years and during this time they can still pass it on even if they are testing negative, or could become positive and pass it on anytime during those 10 years. In other words, my H could become HIV positive anytime during the next 10 years even if he remains faithful to me, so I am still at risk.<P>

No ma'am. <P>If your husband has been tested and come up negative twice six months apart, he will not become HIV positive after that unless he engages in high risk behavior (meaning basically receptive anal intercourse or using intravenous drugs). <P>What the HIV test looks for is the presence of antibodies to the HIV virus. Antibodies are substances your body creates to fight off infections. When a person is infected with HIV, his body can take up to six months to produce enough antibodies against the AIDS virus to be detectable in the bloodstream. The HIV virus gets into the cells of the body, and cannot be detected in the blood stream until the person develops full blown AIDS. This also can take up to several years. If you test negative six months after your last episode of high risk behavior, you were not infected and you are safe. <P>Keep in mind that heterosexual transmission of AIDS is quite rare in the US. It is heavily publicized, but not at all common. Almost all cases of AIDS in the US are spread thru gay sex (mostly anal sex), using IV drugs like heroin, cocaine, or methamphetamine, or women who are infected by HIV positive men. It is not impossible, but it is very, very rare in America for a man to contract AIDS from vaginal intercourse with a woman. Most of the cases you hear about of heterosexual transmission in the US refers to babies who contracted the disease from their mothers before birth, or the women who are the sex partners of male IV drug users. <P>There is a lot of misleading coverage of AIDS that can lead to a lot of unnecessary worry. If your husband tests negative six months or more since his encounter with the 'worldly woman', you can stop worrying. <P>I hope this helps to put your mind at rest. <P>Regards,<BR>rs0522

I personally have been to an infectious disease specialist. What Dazed and Confused said about AIDS is correct. However, what you might look into is Herpes. Herpes can be passed with no detectable visual symptoms. A person can have it and not know it. Most tests only work given a visible sore. <P>There are blood tests (mainly the western blot) than can distinguish between Type I and Type II. Type I is the common cold sore that almost 90% of Americans have. Type II is the one that is usually associated with genital herpes. This blood test will determine if you have been exposed to Type I or Type II, if it is active, and the probability of having Type II. Alot of doctors do not know about this test. I was fortunate to have good insurance, and a Harvard trained doctor. Blood tests ARE available.

Hi LuLu,<P>I understand how scary what you are going thru can feel. I have worked as a nurse for around 5 years now, and my H has worked for 12 yrs as a Lab Tech. We have both had some close calls! <P>Lu, the wisest advice I can give you is to make an appointment with your doctor. If you'd like, make an appointment with a doctor from a different town (if your insurance will allow) and let him/her know about your concerns. Having helped treat people who have gone thru what you and your H are going thru (and having drug my H thru it myself) I can tell you honestly that the doctor will understand - he has seen it before and will be discreet and gentle with your feelings. That is his job. <P>The doctor will be able to answer your questions. Please don't rely on peicemeal info you find on the net or hear from friends. I do agree with what rs0522 said - but again, HIV is not the only thing you need to be concerned with. Not all sexually transmitted diseases will show symptoms. <P>The test, for you will consist of a pelvic exam and perhaps some more bloodwork, depending on your doc's approach. He'll take swabs (painless) and send 'em to be tested. While he's down there, maybe he'll get your PAP smear out of the way too! (not as painless, but hey, while we're in the neighborhood) For your H, he will have his urethra (the opening in his penis) swabbed with a very thin cotton swab, and bloodwork for him too. <P>I think that this is the only way you and your H will have any peice of mind. We'll help you as much as we can here, but there is nothing like going to the doctor and getting it taken care of. <P>Khyra

Hi, <BR>Hav'nt posted in a while (still lurk occasionally though).<P>Thought I'd put in my two cents worth<P>I unfortunatly have had some first hand experience with this subject. I was exposed by a needle stick from an HIV positive patient. While it true that if you are negative after 6 months you most likely will stay negative, it can take up to 18 months until your body sero-converts (positive for the atibody screen). What others have said is also true, it can be up to ten years before a patient becomes symtomatic. You may hear different numbers from different doctors, but I figure when it comes to that better safe than sorry.<P>Jason<BR>

That Unseen2 guy is a cutie, ain't he??

I need my annual. In my case it is my bi-annual.<P>My previous Dr. kept telling me to leave him. He was recovering from a divorce caused by his wife's infidelity.<P>I need to find a new doctor. I will do that soon. I am past du.<P>Convincing H to do the same will be like squeexing blood from a turnip. Not to sound too much like a Southern Hick.

Excuse me, but we Southerners prefer to think of ourselves as colorful characters, not hicks!<P>Peppermint