When is the earliest I can test for HIV?

[panicking01928473838]

Name change for this one for obvious reasons…

Last weekend I was so stupid and had unprotected sex with a man. I’ve slept with him quite a few times before but the last time was in summer 2023.

He’s straight but I know he leads quite a wild lifestyle (drugs and alcohol). He’s also not a nice man and I know he can use me for sex.

Anyway, since Sunday I’ve had this weird back ache. Not like I’ve pulled a muscle but more like a sort of soreness / tingly pain. And I am just convincing myself that he’s given me an STI / HIV after reading the symptoms online.

I have no evidence that he has one but I am so worried. My last STI test was in September 2023 and it was all clear.

I am going to do a home test (finger prick blood test) when it’s been 2 weeks for chlamydia and gonorrhoea, but I know that for HIV you have to wait at least 7 weeks post sex (on the home test that I do anyway) as otherwise you may get a false negative.

Is there an early test that I can do to put my mind at rest? I am so anxious and worried and I know I have myself to blame for this but I just want to forget that the night ever happened.

Can anyone calm my fears?

I think there are early tests at about 1 month which accurate but definitive test is still around 3 months i beleive

you would have to be very unlucky get contract hiv from a heterosexual man but it of course happens.

@Wherearemymarbles yeah I know it would be incredibly unlucky but he’s blocked me and I just… don’t know, have a strange feeling

Argh any other advice..? 😭

The NHS says symptoms are flu like and take 2-6 weeks to appear after infection:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/hiv-and-aids/symptoms/#:~:text=Most%20people%20infected%20with%20HIV,experience%20this%20flu%2Dlike%20illness.

I'd re-read your sources with a determined calm and open minded approach and make sure you're not misinterpreting. To me it sounds far too soon for you to be experiencing any symptoms.

Go to your local sexual health clinic and have a full screening. You can then return for a repeat HIV test after I think 3 months.

Most people who are HIV positive are now being treated and the treatment keeps their viral load so low that they can’t transmit the disease, it’s highly unlikely that you will have been infected, but as other have said get your self to the Gum clinic. HV is now considered a chronic disease and people who have been infected live healthy symptom free lives. It’s not the death sentence it once was

The test your doctor or SHC will offer can pick HIV up in 7 days after the event, at 14 days most people will test positive, at 4 weeks they pick up 99% of infections but the official result is still given at 3 months.

Even if he was HIV positive, didn’t know and wasn’t being treated for it, the odds are still in your favour.

A 4th generation test eg blood taken from the arm can pick up antigens as well as antibodies and which show up sooner. I’ve linked some information about this where there’s a good graphic. A test could be done at 4 weeks, with a conclusive one at 45 days (6 weeks). I’d suggest contacting your local sexual health clinic to discuss this
https://i-base.info/guides/testing/what-is-the-window-period

Re symptoms, if HIV is contracted some people can get poorly about 10 days to 4 weeks later.

Just have such bad back pain today. The muscles hurt as well as it feels tender to touch / itchy. I am just hoping this is a big coincidence as it was only 6 days since we had sex.

Also, he didn’t cum inside of me. But I am still worried. This back pain is unusual.

If it helps back pain is irrelevant to HIV and 6 days after the event is too early to have symptoms of seroconversion that some people who contract it experience.

@HIVpos thank you. I’m wondering if it’s just a virus then as feel hot but cold etc.

it might just be something else you've caught - there are a lot of bugs around atm. Try drinking plenty of fluids and take OTC painkillers if needed.

The very bottom of my lower back / top of my bottom is sore to touch. Like if I press in the skin. It all just feels a bit strange and I don’t know what’s wrong with me!

If he didn’t come inside of you that’s a positive. Forgive me if this sounds at all judgemental ( I don’t mean to be ) but maybe this is telling you not to see this guy again. All these symptoms could of course be totally unrelated to your sex life. If it persists, definitely see your GP/ ring 111.

Left field guess, please don't misconstrue this as attempted humour, but were you DTD on the floor at any point? Because carpet burns can be similar to what you are describing, in my experience.

@TheGander he’s blocked me so won’t be seeing him again.

@horticulturallyYours no we didn’t do it on the floor.

everytime I think I’ll be fine, I convince myself otherwise as my back is in agony. I can pay for a test after 10 days incubation but not sure it’s worth it

Probably for the best you won’t be seeing him again.
Can you make an appointment with your GP tomorrow re the back pain?