Welcome to the forum.
The imortant thing is that the vaginal sex was protected with a condom. Blood on the outside of a condom is no more risky than vaginal fluids on a condom; and menstrual blood probably carries no more risk for HIV than vaginal fluids do. Hand contact with breast milk or genital fluids is risk free, even with minor cuts and nicks on the hands. So all things considered, this was an entirely safe sexuIal experience with no appreciable risk of HIV transmission.
For those resons, you can safely assume your skin rash is not due to a new HIV infection. Equally important, it came on much too late -- an ARS rash would 10-20 days after exposure, not 6 weeks later; and would always be accompanied by fever and other symptoms. Finally, the rash itself (itching, the location) is not typical.
This rash sounds pretty unconfortable and something that should receive professional medical attention to judge the cause and perhaps get treated. But you need not worry at all about HIV or any other STD. Whatever the cause of your rash, I'm sure it has nothing at all to do with your sexual encounter a few weeks earlier.
Finally, you ask "Do I have to get tested for HIV?" From a medical or risk assessment standpoint, no. However, you might decide to be tested anyway, for reassurance. The negative test result probably will be more reassuring than anything I can say. (This does not mean I really believe you may be infected. I do not.)
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
I'm sure it's a valid test and result, but I have no peronal expeirence with it. In any case, as discussed above, your risk was too low to need testing anyway.
That will end this thread. Take care.
Hello Doctor,
Thanks again. I went and tested today. They gave me 2 options, 1. ELISA & 2. SPOT test
I opted for the SPOT test and they took a vial of blood from my arm and the result says HIV 1&11 (CARD) Negative
If it's a test developed and used primarily in India, I cannot judge its performance, although I might be able to comment if you can provide the specific trade name, if it's one used in the US or western Europe. However, India has a sophisticated biotechnology industry, so most likely even an Indian test would be valid; and if it is a blood test (not oral fluids), it should be nearly 100% reliable at 45 days.
Thanks Doctor,
Your reply has put me at ease.
If I decide to opt for a test, in India labs HIV 1&2 rapid test is carried out. Is a post 45 day HIV 1&2 rapid test reliable and conclusive?
I saw these comments before I replied above. They don't change my advice.
One more thing: the rash is reddish with very tiny bumps meaning looks like fine sand bumps on the reddish areas. Itches sometimes...sometimes does not itch
Forgot to mention 1 more thing and that is, from the 20th day onwards I was having severe jock itch. Did not take any medication but it way away after 10 - 12 days after profuse use of talcum powder.