hiv symptons

[nervous501]

Hello doctor, i recently had sex with two sexual workers.  With one I had oral sex with.  With the other I had anal sex and I used a condom.  Two days later after this high risk activity, i became ill with flu like symptons, fever and night sweats, swollen glands, soar throat, and joint pain.  I went to the hospital and they gave me some antibiotics. I didn't tell them of my high risk activity 'cause I was with a co-worker at the time as I am in a different country.  Everything cleared more or less after 4 days except for the swollen glands which have stayed mildly sensitive but I feel discomfort in that area still, this after 3 weeks.  All other symptons like I said dissappeared after 4 days.  I then had unprotected oral sex and protected vaginal sex with a girl I met a week after I had the high risk activity.  She swolled my semen and a couple of days later she was showing the same symptons that I was showing earlier.   I have been doing some research and it seems it is unlikely that I have been infected with HIV 'cause of the time period the symptons started showing but what exactly does unlikely mean? What is the risk factor or % of probability I may have been infected with HIV?  Is it possible that I contracted another disease from the sexual workers and passed it on to this girl?  I am going to get tested this weekend for HIV but I'm not sure 'cause it has only been maybe 3 weeks since the incident.  Should I go ahead with the HIV test or wait I think most experts suggest 6 months?  Any input and advise is most appreciated.

[Dr Sean Cummings]

Hello Mr Nervous

Being the active partner using a condom for penetrative sex provided it does not break is safe and carries a zero risk of HIV transmission - zero. I know there are people and organisations who will take issue with this statement but as a busy practisiing clinician in a very busy clinic I am certain of this. Condoms fail because they tear or because people don't use them.

Even if you were not to use a condom with a known HIV positive individual - clearly not a good idea, then the average risk ( I say average because there are a considerable number of different factors wihich might influence this) of infection is 0.06%.

The risk for unprotected receptive oral sex - the sucker is at most 0.04% - and most of us believe it is much lower than this and of course provided the person being sucked is HIV positive anyway.

It is of course possible that you may have passed something to the girl who became ill but speculating as to what that might be is a little difficult.

All in all I think from the HIV point of view you are well.

best regards, Sean

[nervous501]

dear Dr. Sean, thanks for your answer...this assures me somewhat, however, you didn't really answer the question whether it would be a good idea to have an hiv test now after 3 weeks of risky activity or wait until 6 months or what would be the best time frame?  the hiv test I would take now would be a rapid hiv test-answer within 30 minutes they tell me...also, in 6 months I plan to take a comprehensive STD Screening.  Please advise.  Thank you.