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STDs (Expert Forum)
Thanks a lot
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.
Thanks a lot
by willofgod, Apr 01, 2006 12:00AM
Dear Dr.Handsfield:
I wanted to post a "Thank you" message in this forum for providing me with relevant Facts and Probabilities related to HIV infection.
I posted a message a month ago on possible HIV infection.I had protective vaginal sex with a sex worker in a massage parlor in the US. But, had unerected penis, with condom on and intact, within her for about less than a minute (i hope this falls under "improper use of condom"). I had rashes on the lower shaft of my penis and i started freaking out. I tested HIV-EIA (using Labcorp's 3rd generation test) after 3 months from the exposure (precisely 15.7 weeks after the exposure) and it came back Negative. After 8 months of the exposure, i got some sweat gland inflammation and abscess under my left armpit and got it drained by a general surgeon also tested for allergies. I found out that i have allergies for house dust mites, molds and pollen. I am new to this country and the doctor told me that since i am exposed for the first time to these kind of allergens, i am getting allergic reactions. I was not happy with my first HIV test and was going through a lot of anxiety and depression. Recently i got a Home Test and it confirmed my negative test results. It is an ELISA test and advises those who test positive to go for second western blot / DNA PCR confirmatory test. I am relieved so much now. You told me that 3 months test is highly reliable. But, i did not have peace of mind until i got tested the second time.
I felt a strong need to tell all friends, who visit this forum in anxiety and depression, that those who are married PLEASE BE TRUTHFUL TO YOUR PARTNERS and those who are single like me, PLEASE WAIT TILL YOU FIND YOUR PARTNER and practice monogamy. I DON"T MEAN TO SOUND LIKE A PRIEST HERE!! BUT, OUR LIFE IS MORE VALUABLE THAN ANYTHING ELSE. I used condom to have sex with the sex worker but it does not reduce my Risk to Zero.
Dr. I want to thank you once again for the Facts that you provide in this forum. A lot of websites simply freak out those who are already anxious and fearful. This is a wonderful medical advice site that i have ever seen. I know that you don't practice medicine online but the facts that you are sharing based on your experience educates people like me (who do not have any medical education background).
LONG STORY SHORT: I WANTED TO THANK YOU AND THIS FORUM.
THANKS.
I wanted to post a "Thank you" message in this forum for providing me with relevant Facts and Probabilities related to HIV infection.
I posted a message a month ago on possible HIV infection.I had protective vaginal sex with a sex worker in a massage parlor in the US. But, had unerected penis, with condom on and intact, within her for about less than a minute (i hope this falls under "improper use of condom"). I had rashes on the lower shaft of my penis and i started freaking out. I tested HIV-EIA (using Labcorp's 3rd generation test) after 3 months from the exposure (precisely 15.7 weeks after the exposure) and it came back Negative. After 8 months of the exposure, i got some sweat gland inflammation and abscess under my left armpit and got it drained by a general surgeon also tested for allergies. I found out that i have allergies for house dust mites, molds and pollen. I am new to this country and the doctor told me that since i am exposed for the first time to these kind of allergens, i am getting allergic reactions. I was not happy with my first HIV test and was going through a lot of anxiety and depression. Recently i got a Home Test and it confirmed my negative test results. It is an ELISA test and advises those who test positive to go for second western blot / DNA PCR confirmatory test. I am relieved so much now. You told me that 3 months test is highly reliable. But, i did not have peace of mind until i got tested the second time.
I felt a strong need to tell all friends, who visit this forum in anxiety and depression, that those who are married PLEASE BE TRUTHFUL TO YOUR PARTNERS and those who are single like me, PLEASE WAIT TILL YOU FIND YOUR PARTNER and practice monogamy. I DON"T MEAN TO SOUND LIKE A PRIEST HERE!! BUT, OUR LIFE IS MORE VALUABLE THAN ANYTHING ELSE. I used condom to have sex with the sex worker but it does not reduce my Risk to Zero.
Dr. I want to thank you once again for the Facts that you provide in this forum. A lot of websites simply freak out those who are already anxious and fearful. This is a wonderful medical advice site that i have ever seen. I know that you don't practice medicine online but the facts that you are sharing based on your experience educates people like me (who do not have any medical education background).
LONG STORY SHORT: I WANTED TO THANK YOU AND THIS FORUM.
THANKS.
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Apr 01, 2006 12:00AM
, Apr 01, 2006 12:00AM
Thanks for the thanks. I'm glad things went well for you.
As long as you're not moralizing, I'll also make some non-moralistic comments. Your advice is valid for most people in committed relationships, when there is mutual expectation of monogamy. However, the risks of STD are not necessarily elevated simply by having an extra-regular exposure; careful partner selection and safe sex can essentially eliminate any STD risk. This definitely doesn't mean I encourage anybody to cheat. But the simple fact of having a non-regular partner isn't necessarily risky. However, having unprotected vaginal sex with someone you don't know well--whether in a massage parlor or anywhere else--indeed is pretty risky. (Your protected vaginal plus unprotected oral was basically safe, however.)
If by being "truthful" with one's spouse or regular partner you mean confessing every episode of infidelity, I disagree it's always the right thing to do. That might be right for some people but not for everybody. This is an STD forum and I don't "do" sexual/relationship advice, but when it comes to confessing slip-ups, the decision is highly personal and one size does not fit all.
Thanks again for your comments. Best wishes, and stay safe-- HHH, MD
As long as you're not moralizing, I'll also make some non-moralistic comments. Your advice is valid for most people in committed relationships, when there is mutual expectation of monogamy. However, the risks of STD are not necessarily elevated simply by having an extra-regular exposure; careful partner selection and safe sex can essentially eliminate any STD risk. This definitely doesn't mean I encourage anybody to cheat. But the simple fact of having a non-regular partner isn't necessarily risky. However, having unprotected vaginal sex with someone you don't know well--whether in a massage parlor or anywhere else--indeed is pretty risky. (Your protected vaginal plus unprotected oral was basically safe, however.)
If by being "truthful" with one's spouse or regular partner you mean confessing every episode of infidelity, I disagree it's always the right thing to do. That might be right for some people but not for everybody. This is an STD forum and I don't "do" sexual/relationship advice, but when it comes to confessing slip-ups, the decision is highly personal and one size does not fit all.
Thanks again for your comments. Best wishes, and stay safe-- HHH, MD
Member Comments (3)
by ToDoorNot, Apr 03, 2006 12:00AM
I am sure the guy who posted is an Indian as in from India :) . I have done something similar and waiting for my last negative result that is due this week. I was also planning to post exactly same message after I know fine. Though my exposure was only fingering and some genital to skin near genital touching, I dont want to rest happy till all results come back negative. Being an Indian i can fully relate to the advise from the OP. This is totally irrelevant to the forun, but i just wanted to express my feelings.
by willofgod, Apr 03, 2006 12:00AM
You are right. But, as you have mentioned ethnicity/race/origin is irrelevant to this forum. Wish you all the best. Life is more precious dude.
