Testing Terror

Q:
I slept with a hooker on a trip abroad, and, in the heat of moment, did not use protection. Now I am terrified about the possibility of having contracted HIV, but I’m afraid to get tested for fear that my employer, family, or friends will somehow find out about a positive test outcome. Are there any early symptoms I should be looking for? What is the best way to get tested confidentially?

A:
I am not going to lecture you about the dangers of unprotected sex…with hookers. But I would seriously advise you against looking for any “early symptoms,” lest you want to turn yourself into a bigger neurotic mess than you already are. Instead, you should get tested right away, and re-tested in about six months. Since you’re concerned about confidentiality, look for a center that provides anonymous testing. You will be identified by a code number and will not need to provide your name, address, telephone number, or any other identifying information. You will be given a receipt after having your blood drawn, which you will bring back in person one week later to get a result. With anonymous testing, nobody can get results of your test from a clinic, not even at your request, so chances of anybody
finding out are minuscule. Meanwhile, relax—your chances of getting HIV from a one-time unprotected encounter with a woman are actually very low. Of course, you could have picked up other vile things you should get tested for, too. (But
if you had anal sex with a she-male, then all bets are off.) Next time you have risky sex, wear a condom—then your risk of getting HIV from a woman drops to one in 50 million.

Victoria Zdrok's combination of beauty and intelligence has earned her the label as "sexpert" in many media outlets. She writes a monthly column on love, sex, and dating for Penthouse Magazine entitled "Ask Dr. Z," and a column on sexuality and the law for Penthouse Forum. She is a frequent contributor to several publications and has her own SIRIUS Satellite Radio specialty show, The Sex Connection, on Howard 101. You can find out more about Dr. Z at www.sexysexpert.com