Posts by Sandra Lewis51

It’s been scientifically established that the risk of transmitting an STI during a single sexual encounter is quite low—somewhere in the range of 0.3 to 0.6 percent—but it isn't zero. I actually just confirmed this after speaking with some specialists in the field today. They pointed out that in the US, one of the most common ways the CDC virus is spread is through unprotected sex, which really highlights why condom use should be considered mandatory rather than optional.

Even if this specific test result isn't 100% definitive, I'll still have my answer. If it comes back negative, then I'll know that any potential infection would have had to come from my most recent partner—and regardless of the outcome, I intend to act responsibly moving forward. My primary reason for testing was specifically because of that last encounter, which is what’s weighing on me most. I'll certainly be retesting in five months; I hadn't actually considered that the standard window is six months..
I realize it's not wise to try and do the math on this, but if I had contracted anything five years ago from my ex-boyfriend, who was visiting from Italy, I'm fairly certain I would have experienced some complications by now. Besides, I've had several partners since him, all of whom I remain on good terms with—one even went on to have a child, though you can never truly know for sure. It's honestly exhausting. I find myself looking back at my own lack of caution with genuine disbelief. I just want to warn everyone else to use their heads... so they don't end up in my position.

And why on earth would you assume that the flu I caught that one night had nothing to do with the virus starting to reactivate? It was actually because of that bout of illness that I started having doubts and finally decided to go get tested..

I know, Rachel Brooks63, I’m a complete wreck right now. I had a risky encounter about a month and a half ago... but sitting here waiting for my testing results, I just remembered another incident from five years ago...

Honestly, I just went to get tested, and I have no idea how I’m even functioning right now. I haven't slept, I haven't eaten, and I’ve completely shut off my phone to avoid talking to anyone...
The issue started about a month after that encounter when I spent an entire night gripped by a terrible fever and shivering uncontrollably. By the next morning, it had vanished and everything seemed fine, which is when I decided I really ought to go get checked out. But now... I feel absolutely wretched. I wouldn't wish this state of mind on my worst enemy. My mind is spiraling, and it isn't even just about this. I can't stop thinking about an Italian man I was involved with five years ago; he seemed so exotic and charming at the time, mostly because he was ten years older than me and traveled the world constantly. Now, I've got a splitting headache, and he's part of the reason why. I'm losing my mind.

Skipping protection... it's just reckless, mindless, and incredibly risky behavior.

Hello everyone. I have a question regarding how the CDC classifies transmission risks. Specifically, is there a significant risk if someone engages in sexual activity with an infected partner two or three times, assuming the encounters are brief and don't involve ejaculation? Would the chances of infection in such a scenario be considered high, or are they relatively minimal?