Woke up at 7.30 this morning. Haven't woken up so early for ages (not counting the waking-ups to pee).
Took a bus, then train and arrived at the sexual health clinic 5 mins late (called them while I was on the train to tell them that I would be late).
Waited for the doc for ten mins. If I knew she was going to be late, I wouldn't have to run-walk-run to the place.
A female doc in her 30s. Generally friendly. Started the conversation by telling her that I am gay (never assume that she knows right?)
Basically regurgitated what I wrote in the previous post. Bump-Tea Tree Oil- Itchy-More red dots- Dry skin
She asked if I would like to have HIV test today but she was actually kinda discouraging me to take the test. Because according to her, the event was low risk despite the fact that I discovered swollen/sore gum the next morning, and that there was a lot of precum.
But I insisted. I didn't want to argue with her so I made up stories that I actually had more sexual partners. I know the facts, actually more than what a patient should know.
I don't think she was giving me a good advice in terms of testing. She actually said that 'ok, since you insisted to test today, then I can still do it for you but the risk relating to the latest incident which was 4 weeks ago would not be covered, but hmmm...never mind...since that's low risk and you can just test again in 6 months...'
Inside, I was like what the hell??? 6 months? Australian clinics recommend testing every 3 months if you are gay and have more than 4 (maybe) sexual partners.
And, a sexual health nurse once told me that there's no need to wait for 3 months for the window period to pass before testing. Because firstly, the test has improved tremendously over years, and there are now quoting 6 weeks as window period at some places in Australia. And secondly, the earlier you get diagnosed (if you are really infected with HIV), the better because you won't unknowingly pass on the virus to more people, because the viral load during acute/initial stage is super high and it's super infectious!.
Anyway, I also had throat and anal swabs taken, as well as a urine sample.
She then asked me to strip naked and lie on the bed. She looked at my penis, touched my groin a bit.
And she asked me to turn to my left so that she can check my butt.
She couldn't even see the first/original bump close to the butt hole, even with the torch. So she asked me to point it to her. Then she said it's a Follicle, so I guess ok, maybe that's partially caused by ingrown hair? Since I had waxing done before??
She said she couldn't find the other red dots that I told her. So I sat up, and tried to stretch my skin between my scrotum (my ball) and my inner thigh. The red dots there were drying off, and the area looked flaky coz it's dry.
She said that it's the natural human anatomy to have skin look like that????
I told her it's not normal because there weren't there before.
Anyway, I think it's partly my fault. I should have Lifted my legs up, like people doing missionary position during sex so that she can see clearer!! Coz the area that i showed her while I was sitting up was not the clearest part.
Hopefully my skin can heal a bit for now and that it wouldn't itch so badly so that it will last me for a week and I will see if I should seek another doctor's advice.
Had to go work after the consultation. Worked till 4pm. Tired.
Also, I lost it at work today. Probably sleep deprived or the stress, I just couldn't take it anymore and actually talked back to the super annoying bully in the kitchen.
Took a bus, then train and arrived at the sexual health clinic 5 mins late (called them while I was on the train to tell them that I would be late).
Waited for the doc for ten mins. If I knew she was going to be late, I wouldn't have to run-walk-run to the place.
A female doc in her 30s. Generally friendly. Started the conversation by telling her that I am gay (never assume that she knows right?)
Basically regurgitated what I wrote in the previous post. Bump-Tea Tree Oil- Itchy-More red dots- Dry skin
She asked if I would like to have HIV test today but she was actually kinda discouraging me to take the test. Because according to her, the event was low risk despite the fact that I discovered swollen/sore gum the next morning, and that there was a lot of precum.
But I insisted. I didn't want to argue with her so I made up stories that I actually had more sexual partners. I know the facts, actually more than what a patient should know.
I don't think she was giving me a good advice in terms of testing. She actually said that 'ok, since you insisted to test today, then I can still do it for you but the risk relating to the latest incident which was 4 weeks ago would not be covered, but hmmm...never mind...since that's low risk and you can just test again in 6 months...'
Inside, I was like what the hell??? 6 months? Australian clinics recommend testing every 3 months if you are gay and have more than 4 (maybe) sexual partners.
And, a sexual health nurse once told me that there's no need to wait for 3 months for the window period to pass before testing. Because firstly, the test has improved tremendously over years, and there are now quoting 6 weeks as window period at some places in Australia. And secondly, the earlier you get diagnosed (if you are really infected with HIV), the better because you won't unknowingly pass on the virus to more people, because the viral load during acute/initial stage is super high and it's super infectious!.
Anyway, I also had throat and anal swabs taken, as well as a urine sample.
She then asked me to strip naked and lie on the bed. She looked at my penis, touched my groin a bit.
And she asked me to turn to my left so that she can check my butt.
She couldn't even see the first/original bump close to the butt hole, even with the torch. So she asked me to point it to her. Then she said it's a Follicle, so I guess ok, maybe that's partially caused by ingrown hair? Since I had waxing done before??
She said she couldn't find the other red dots that I told her. So I sat up, and tried to stretch my skin between my scrotum (my ball) and my inner thigh. The red dots there were drying off, and the area looked flaky coz it's dry.
She said that it's the natural human anatomy to have skin look like that????
I told her it's not normal because there weren't there before.
Anyway, I think it's partly my fault. I should have Lifted my legs up, like people doing missionary position during sex so that she can see clearer!! Coz the area that i showed her while I was sitting up was not the clearest part.
Hopefully my skin can heal a bit for now and that it wouldn't itch so badly so that it will last me for a week and I will see if I should seek another doctor's advice.
Had to go work after the consultation. Worked till 4pm. Tired.
Also, I lost it at work today. Probably sleep deprived or the stress, I just couldn't take it anymore and actually talked back to the super annoying bully in the kitchen.
Good news or bad news?
ReplyDeleteAs for the bumps, though she said she couldn't see it, I believe they are still there.. As for the other tests, results would be back next week. So i don't know...
Deleteyeah, good or bad news.. sound serious leh if want do HIV test~ @.@
ReplyDeleteHi Mr Lonely, i dun know the results yet... Haven't visited your blog previously haha..will do later
DeleteHeyyyyy,
ReplyDeleteyou're right, the window period now is getting smaller due to better techniques, they used to test for antibodies now they're testing for antigens as well. She probably did not want to make a special non-routine test (like PCR) for you because she classified you as low risk. But she should probably explain to you more on that I guess and yes do get tested because I KNOW HOW IT FEEL WHEN YOUS INSECURE and u just need to get a negative test results to reassure you even when, more than likely, u're negative.
and also you are absolutely right, if there's any HIV virus around (touch wood) the faster u recognise it the better, the prognosis is better if u can recognise it and start anti-retrovirals before the virus stabilize to a set point. the lower the set point the better.
As for skin probably need to do the usual STIs, could be due to other sexually transmitted disease. Or, i guess on a rarer occasion, it could be due to acute retroviral syndrome due to HIV virus replication. Most people just have light symptoms like flu.
Hahaha thats my view = )
Hey...i guess i can just wait for now :)
Delete