u/Kooky-Temperature546

I’m worried and looking for some advice. About 7 days ago, I went to a massage spa and received a massage from a sex worker. The sexual contact was limited to a handjob and massage.

I’ve been feeling like I might have a fever and some confusion, and I’m worried that these could be early HIV symptoms. Can HIV symptoms start as early as 7 days after exposure? Or would these symptoms be too soon/nonspecific?

I’d appreciate any information or advice. Thank you.

About 2 days ago, I went to a spa/sex spa and had a massage. The encounter involved only massage and a hand job. She massaged my buttocks, legs, hands, shoulders, and neck. There was no vaginal or anal sex and no penetration. What is my risk of getting HIV from this encounter?

I just wanted to share my experience because I know how scary the waiting can be.

I had one exposure, and we used a condom. Even so, I was extremely anxious. I took a 4th-generation HIV blood test at 22 days, and it came back negative. I was still worried, so I got tested again at 66 days, and that blood test was negative too.

During those weeks, I convinced myself I had HIV. I had body aches, felt very tired (fatigue), thought I had mouth ulcers, and every little symptom made me panic. I spent hours searching online and thinking the worst.

Whenever I called my clinic, they would only say, "We have your results, but we can't give them over the phone. You need to come to the clinic." That made my anxiety even worse. When I finally went in, they told me my 66-day HIV test was negative. I can't explain the relief I felt. After that, I realized how much of my stress and anxiety had been affecting me. I even wondered, "Where did all my symptoms go?"

To anyone who's worrying after a protected encounter: try not to panic. If you had sex with a condom, the risk is much lower. Get tested, follow your healthcare provider's advice, and don't let anxiety convince you that every symptom means HIV.

This experience taught me a big lesson. If you love yourself, think carefully before having casual sex. The stress, fear, and months of worrying were something I never want to go through again. Stay safe, protect yourself, and take care of your health.

I hope this post helps someone who's sitting there refreshing Reddit, waiting for results, and imagining the worst. You're not alone, and I hope everything turns out okay for you too.

I'm really stressed out right now. It's been 4 business days already, and tomorrow will be the 5th business day since I got my blood drawn on July 8 (Wednesday).

I've heard people say that if HIV blood test results take longer than 3 business days, it usually means the result is positive. Is there any truth to that?

I also heard that the lab sends HIV results to Public Health Ontario before the patient gets them. Is that true, or is it just a rumor?

Has anyone experienced something similar? I'd really appreciate any advice or reassurance. Thanks.

I’m looking for some reassurance or advice because I’ve been worried about HIV.

I wore a condom the entire time during sex from start to finish. I only removed it after we were completely done, and I even saw my semen inside the condom afterward. I’m not aware of it breaking, but I can’t say with 100% certainty.

About 4 days after the encounter, I started noticing symptoms and got tested. The result was negative. I then had a blood test 22 days after the exposure, and that was also negative.

It has now been about 7 weeks since the encounter, and I’m still worried about HIV despite the negative tests. I keep noticing symptoms, and I’m not sure if they’re from anxiety or something else.

One thing that concerns me is a feeling like I can’t swallow, drink, or eat properly, although I actually can do all of those things without pain. I’ve also noticed what feel like swollen lymph nodes in my neck and at the back of my neck near the base of my skull along the hairline.

Another thing that has been bothering me is that my most recent negative test result took around 10 days to come back, whereas previous results usually took 3–5 days. That delay has made me anxious, even though the result was negative.

Given that I used a condom the whole time and have had negative HIV tests, does this sound more like anxiety, or is there still a realistic chance of HIV?

Hi it’s been 9 days today since I tested I still haven’t gotten my hiv results from my public health Ontario I heard if it takes more than 6 business days that means ur results r positive I’m shaking can someone please help me!

Hey everyone, I’m really worried right now. It’s been 12 days after sex and my throat feels weird/kinda hurts, but only in certain positions. I can swallow food, water, and saliva normally without pain. I don’t have fever, rash, or anything else.

Could this still be HIV symptoms or does this sound like something else? Please help.

Hey everyone,

I had sex about 5 days ago, and since literally the first day after, I’ve had a very mild burning sensation at the tip of my penis when I pee. It lasts maybe 1–3 minutes after peeing and then goes away completely.

It’s not getting worse, just staying the same. I also don’t see any discharge, no sores, and no other symptoms.

Yesterday I got tested for Chlamydia and Gonorrhea, and both came back negative.

I’m confused because:

•	It started immediately after sex

•	It’s very mild (barely noticeable)

•	Test came back negative

•	But it hasn’t fully gone away yet

Could this just be irritation from friction, or something else like urethral inflammation? I’m also wondering how long this kind of burning usually takes to heal.

Would appreciate any insight from people who’ve had something similar.