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STDs (Expert Forum)
HIV / or need reassurance
Answered by
University of Washington
Seattle - WA
This forum does not cover AIDS/HIV issues. This forum is for questions and support regarding STD issues such as: Chlamydia, Crabs (pubic lice scabies), Gonorrhea, Hepatitis (viral), Herpes, HPV, Molluscum Contagiosum, PID, Rectal Infections, Syphilis, Trichomonas, Warts, Yeast Infection.
IMPORTANT
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
This forum is limited to questions about STDs other than HIV/AIDS. For questions about HIV prevention, or if you have general questions about safe sex (e.g., condoms, how to protect yourself from HIV and STDs), please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum
Some of the most common types of questions concern the risk of HIV or STD after a particular sexual exposure, and about symptoms that might or might not be due to HIV. If your question is along these lines, please visit the HIV Prevention and Safe Sex Forum.
HIV / or need reassurance
by brangus, Feb 10, 2006 12:00AM
I had one time unprotected vaginal sex with a stripper in early Dec 05. Had no real symtoms but the guilt led me to have a gonorrhea and chlamydia test 30 days after and ELISA and PCR test 59 days later. (I now realize I probably spent too much $ on the PCR) All were NEG. I have had no noticelable symtoms other than a sore throat with swollen tonsils about 45 days after the incident but my regular gal recently had a yeast infection with some vaginal swelling about two weeks after I had sex with her. Her Dr. said it was nothing seriuos but gave her an antifungal and Cipro in case of any infection. It cleared up in about a week so thankfully I have not had to discuss my indescretion with her but still worry I "gave her something". All that said I have read all the threads that seem to indicate that since I am negative and I should chill but would like some reassurance. My question is if I tested negative at 30 days on gonorrhea and chlamydia and negative with the ELISA and PCR at 59 days should I test again after 90 days or considering the above am I "free and clear"? Thanks for your feedback and the great work you are doing on this site!
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Feb 10, 2006 12:00AM
, Feb 10, 2006 12:00AM
I'm not sure why my specific reassurance will mean anything more than you already know, both from your own knowledge and from looking at virtually the same question (50+ times!) with my identical responses. But here goes:
The risk of HIV from the exposure you describe was miniscule, even if she was infected, which she probably wasn't. Negative HIV tests after 2 months are virtually 100% reliable. Colds occur in normal people without HIV, and yeast infections are normal from time to time in most women. I draw no definitive conclusions about particular cases, so I will not tell you that you are "free and clear". But the likelihood you have HIV probably is less then the chance you will be struck by lightning; and certainly is lower than your risk of dying of an unexpected illness or accident in the next week, and I see no need for further testing.
There! I said it again!
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
The risk of HIV from the exposure you describe was miniscule, even if she was infected, which she probably wasn't. Negative HIV tests after 2 months are virtually 100% reliable. Colds occur in normal people without HIV, and yeast infections are normal from time to time in most women. I draw no definitive conclusions about particular cases, so I will not tell you that you are "free and clear". But the likelihood you have HIV probably is less then the chance you will be struck by lightning; and certainly is lower than your risk of dying of an unexpected illness or accident in the next week, and I see no need for further testing.
There! I said it again!
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
