Few years back i went for an HIV test & was told it would be very unlikely i would be infected

I was told by somone at the clinic that its very unlikely i will be infected as in my town near London in England am meant to be low risk, am from the Ethnic Minority but born in Britain, they told me unless your black-african or west-indian or homosexual then its very unlikely, should i take their advice and not take a test? i know i should take a test to be on the safe side but if they say its very unlikely does it mean my chances are high of not being infected?

I did however have a flu and fever after the sexual incident (unprotected heterosexual sex) but could have been from stress thinking about it, also it was my first time, but i just wanna know if my chances are less considering even the clinic said am very unlikely, thanks.

Hi there,

I'm sorry to tell you this.......however, the clinic was really irresponsible.....and plainly incorrect.

Ethnicity cannot and does not exclude anyone from HIV infection. This is clear from looking at the way HIV has spread through virtually every country in the world.

I am a doctor who once worked at an STI clinic in South London; we would never have even dreamed of giving that advice to anyone.

You need to work out why you feel you need an HIV test. Peace of mind, or because there is a real risk you may be HIV positive? How long ago did you have unprotected sex? Has that partner tested positive for HIV?

Generally, you should not have unprotected sex with an unknown partner. As a medical practitioner, I would always advise people to have protected sex until they are in a long-term, monogomous relationship, and even then, for each partner to go for STI screening first before unprotected sex......and based upon this, I would advise you take a test just for safety.

Go to the Terrence Higgins Trust website. You will find testing in your area there, and you can find free testing. I would advise you to take your test through a charity like this that undertakes completely anonymous testing. This may seem silly, however, later in life, it may help you. For instance, some insurance companies ask if you have ever presented for HIV testing to work out how much of an insurance risk you are - if you have your test through the NHS, it may appear on your medical notes, so it's better to avoid the NHS route and just go direct to a charity where it will never appear in your medical notes. Indeed, you can even give an alternative name.

Everybody should be tested, you can go 8 years and not have any symptoms at all.. everyone is at risk.. some are at more of a risk. Its a simple easy test, why would you not want it? I had one done with my first son 5 years ago, a second pregnancy last year that sadly ended and my current pregnancy.. so 3 aids tests in 5 years.. is it necessary? Probably not, but why pass it up? You never know. I rather be safe then sorry.

That is the most ignorant load of trash I've heard yet!

Refer to your previous question....

Hi I think you should still take the test and yes I think it is very low low chance but is nice to do for piece of mind so you don't have to worry anymore. I don't no where you live but if you live in Toronto there is hassel free clinic just google it. The phone number will be on there website. Thay have a rapid HIV test there it's great you can get your results with in minutes instead of waiting around for weeks worrying.
I'm sure other clinic's have it too where ever you are living.
And also if you had flu like symtoms after the sexual intercourse. That does not sound like HIV symtoms. Symtoms for HIV take a while to come. That's why some people have it and don't no it. I hope this helps you. You will be fine. God Bless.