Deathly scared of HIV test...please help?

I wasn't very responsible about things when i was younger and i am so scared to get an hiv test, i worry about it so much to the point where iam in tears im scared that i am gonna have it and my life will be over. I feel like not knowing is better even though i freak out about it all the time, I was also raped when i was younger and am worried. Anyone else feel like this?? Please help im sick of losing sleep over this.

I totally understand your fear. You are not alone. I do HIV testing and had a you man a few weeks ago and he felt the same way. I talked him into testing. The sad news is he was HIV+, the good news was we were able to get him into medical treatment. The fact of the matter is he was HIV+ when he walked through the door, nothing changed, except he knew what was going on and he had the ability to make choices.

Had he not tested he might have gone 10-12 years without a sign of any problems, but when there was a problem he would have been diagnosed with AIDS. By testing know he is HIV+, but with medications, and there are a lot of new ones every year, he can be in charge of his life and live a lot longer than he just waited.

I know your are frightened, but by testing you will be in charge. If you are negative you can stay that way, if you are HIV+ you can get the medical treatment you need. Please test and let me know what the results are,

I've only been with one girl--not worried at all : )

dont be scared...ive gotten many of them in my day, and im only 21 lol. paranoid about getting stds. ur better off finding out then not knowing and spreading to others. what i suggest u do, is go for the rapid test...waiting a few weeks definitely will mess u up mentally.

I think the best thing to do is to go to the health department and go find out....

I can understand your concern. You're dying to know, but afraid of the answer. Go get it checked out so you know for sure, then you can stop worrying. If you are positive, then there are drugs to stop the development of full-blown AIDS. It's not a death sentence anymore.

Many people do not develop any symptoms when they first become infected with HIV. Some people, however, get a flu-like illness within three to six weeks after exposure to the virus. This illness, called Acute HIV Syndrome, may include fever, headache, tiredness, nausea, diarrhea and enlarged lymph nodes (organs of the immune system that can be felt in the neck, armpits and groin). These symptoms usually disappear within a week to a month and are often mistaken for another viral infection.

During this period, the quantity of the virus in the body will be high and it spreads to different parts, particularly the lymph tissue. At this stage, the infected person is more likely to pass on the infection to others. The viral quantity then drops as the body's immune system launches an orchestrated fight.

More persistent or severe symptoms may not surface for several years, even a decade or more, after HIV first enters the body in adults, or within two years in children born with the virus. This period of "asymptomatic" infection varies from individual to individual. Some people may begin to have symptoms as soon as a few months, while others may be symptom-free for more than 10 years. However, during the "asymptomatic" period, the virus will be actively multiplying, infecting, and killing cells of the immune system.

The earlier the disease is diagnosed, the better. You don't say anything about the time span from the time you were "irresponsible" to now. I'm sure you're not the only one that feels this way. Get tested so you know and can deal with the real issues here.

Hope this helps. Take care my friend.

First, let me ask if you have prayed about this? Christ can give you peace over this situation regardless of the test results if you put your faith in Him.
Second, not knowing the results won't make it go away if it is positive. If you do have HIV early intervention will help you to live a very long life. If it is positive that does not mean your life is over. They discover new medicines all the time and what they have now it better that what they had 20 years ago. If it is positive you need to get started on medication right away. Waiting will not help your immune system and chances for developing full blown Aids will increase.
Don't be scarred to take the test, you may not have it at all, but if you do there is still hope for living a normal life, you just have to take more precautions.

It's very hard not to go a little crazy when you get these kinds of tests done. I think everyone does, no matter what they say. Just try to stay as calm as possible. 90% of the things you worry about never happen (actual stress study). In the end, it is better to know one way or the other. If you don't have it, then you KNOW and you don't have this constant question weighing on your shoulders and you can start fresh with the promise to yourself that you will be more careful and responsible. If the outcome is not good, you can at least start learning how to start living a healthier life and get medicated. There are so many advances and medical breakthroughs for the disease. Many people are now living very normal lives with HIV. I know, because my cousin has HIV.

Only about 1% of the population has it, so you probably don't. The places where they give you the test have counselors. You can ask if you can talk to a counselor without having the test. If you do have HIV, you can get on medication, but it's much more effective if you take it sooner rather than wait until you have symptoms. Please talk to someone about your concerns, preferably a counselor at a clinic. Also, always use condoms after this.

It is a relieve to know that I am not the only one who has these feelings,I asked a similar question yesterday and so I can't tell you not to be scared because I am too.I was also raped because my sister yesterday told a guy I was a virgin at 19 and he raped me and my two exes were womanizers so I often worry to the point where, when I think of the future its like I don't see one and another time I would fel like its all in my head.I don't have an answer for you but I am just letting you know that you are not the only one who feels that way.

Get the test. I know that getting tested is one of the scariest moments in one's life but knowing is better than not knowing. Even if you are positive, there are treatments, there are meds that are very effective. Usually once syptoms present themselves, the disease has progressed into the final stages. Get the test, don't take the chance with your health, with your life. I do hope that your test is negative (most likely it will be). Use all of the worry and stress as a second chance. Educate yourself, protect yourself, use a condom.

Also, I am really sorry about you being raped, that is one of the worst experiences that a woman (or man) can live through.