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Fingering/Frottage/Potential Penetration during menstruation
Approximately 13 days ago I received an erotic massage from a sex worker. During this massage I fingered her. Unfortunately I have a terrible, disgusting habit of biting my nails, and I had a few open cuts on my fingers that were inserted inside of her. The cuts were of significant size and were opened due to the physical activity that was taking place during the massage. Normally I would not worry about this, but when I got home I noticed there was dried menstrual blood on my fingers, and it was dried over the cuts.
Also during the massage she slapped my penis against her vagina a few times (frottage). It is also possible that my penis slipped inside of her at some point.
Again, normally I would not worry about this as I know the statistics behind this type of encounter. However about 8 days after the exposure, I developed a fever. I also had a headache and was extremely fatigued. I was basically forced in my bed for 4 days. This is very strange for me as I never get random fevers. The fever is finally starting to subside, although I still have a low-grade. I also developed some strange things in my mouth that are worrysome. The timetable on my illness is VERY worrysome...
My questions for you are: Does a woman's menstruation increase the likelihood of transmission, and if so, by how much? What are the chances Im infected, taking everything into consideration (timeline of illness, exposure, etc). If I had told you that I had unprotected intercourse and she was menstruating, you would agree I would probably be likely infected, correct? Remember, I said it is certainly possible there was penetration for a brief period of time.
Please advise
Also during the massage she slapped my penis against her vagina a few times (frottage). It is also possible that my penis slipped inside of her at some point.
Again, normally I would not worry about this as I know the statistics behind this type of encounter. However about 8 days after the exposure, I developed a fever. I also had a headache and was extremely fatigued. I was basically forced in my bed for 4 days. This is very strange for me as I never get random fevers. The fever is finally starting to subside, although I still have a low-grade. I also developed some strange things in my mouth that are worrysome. The timetable on my illness is VERY worrysome...
My questions for you are: Does a woman's menstruation increase the likelihood of transmission, and if so, by how much? What are the chances Im infected, taking everything into consideration (timeline of illness, exposure, etc). If I had told you that I had unprotected intercourse and she was menstruating, you would agree I would probably be likely infected, correct? Remember, I said it is certainly possible there was penetration for a brief period of time.
Please advise
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The quotes you mention are statements that I will stick by. Having taken care of numerous patients with the ARS I can tell you that symptoms of this syndrome do not begin until two weeks after exposure and they rarely last more than a week after onset of the syndrome. This fits with what we know about human biology. The ARS is due to the interaction of virus circulating in the blood with antibodies produced by the body in efforts to control infection. The symptoms of ARS begin when there are sufficient antibodies (as well as virus) circulating to create what are called immune complexes which then cause the symptoms of the infection. In persons who have not been infected/exposed in the past antibody formation does not begin until at least 10-14 days after the stimulating antigen (in this case the virus) is present in the circulation. The virus begins to circulate in blood a day or two after exposure and this stimulates antibody formation which then is not detectable until more than a week (typically two) after the virus has begun to circulate. As the antibodies increase in concentration, immune complexes decline in the blood and symptoms abate. The ARS occurs during the brief period when immune complexes are present in the blood and being attacked by antibodies- this is the basis of most flu-like symptoms due to a variety of infections, including influenza. Some persons may have residual symptoms more than a week after the ARS begins but even this is rare and typically they have been back at their activities of normal living within 4-6 days of the onset of ARS symptoms. EWH
First of all I would like to apologize for the tone of my last post. I did not intend to insult or discredit you. I was just expressing my feelings and my experience with my Doctor.
I want to be clear that I am not claiming to be 100% certain of the method of my infection. I cannot say with absolute certainty if there was penetration. I've tried to contact the masseuse, but she will not return my phone calls or text messages. I would like to hear her recollection of the events, just for the sake of closure. Given the extremely low likelihood of infection via masturbation, it seems there was probably a brief penetration. I did not think there was at the time, but I cannot be certain. All I know for sure is that she was menstruating and I had an open, actively bleeding wound on my finger that was drenched in menstrual blood.
Im not sure if you were being condescending in your last paragraph, but it doesn't matter. My Doctor never said that he has seen this before. All he said was that it is possible, and that its likely happened somewhere at some point. (I can give you his name if you desire). FWIW, he believes I was probably infected via penetration.
I know you have a great deal of experience and are well respected. That is the main reason why I was (and to be honest, still am) bothered by how you answered a few of my concerns.
One last thing I would ask is if you could address the two quotes from you which I highlighted in my previous post? They directly contradict what my Doctor told me, so I would just like an explanation on why you told me those two things.
Thanks again for all the time you have put towards answering my posts.
I want to be clear that I am not claiming to be 100% certain of the method of my infection. I cannot say with absolute certainty if there was penetration. I've tried to contact the masseuse, but she will not return my phone calls or text messages. I would like to hear her recollection of the events, just for the sake of closure. Given the extremely low likelihood of infection via masturbation, it seems there was probably a brief penetration. I did not think there was at the time, but I cannot be certain. All I know for sure is that she was menstruating and I had an open, actively bleeding wound on my finger that was drenched in menstrual blood.
Im not sure if you were being condescending in your last paragraph, but it doesn't matter. My Doctor never said that he has seen this before. All he said was that it is possible, and that its likely happened somewhere at some point. (I can give you his name if you desire). FWIW, he believes I was probably infected via penetration.
I know you have a great deal of experience and are well respected. That is the main reason why I was (and to be honest, still am) bothered by how you answered a few of my concerns.
One last thing I would ask is if you could address the two quotes from you which I highlighted in my previous post? They directly contradict what my Doctor told me, so I would just like an explanation on why you told me those two things.
Thanks again for all the time you have put towards answering my posts.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
A note of follow-up. Since my earlier answer to you, Dr. Handsfield and I have had a chance to talk and I can say again, that the situation your describe is the ONLY instance that either of us is aware of in which someone may have acquired HIV from masturbation of a partner. This statement relates to both of our own clinical experience, as well as what we have learned from regular attendance at scientific meetings and what is available in the scientific literature. He also points out that, in your original post, you said "It is also possible that my penis slipped inside of her at some point." Could this still be how you became infected?
We will both incorporate your experience in our counsel to others, both here on MedHelp and in practice. At the same time, if your provider feels that this is something that he has seen before or that he has sufficient evidence based on your experience, he should write a report for the scientific literature as this is a sentinel event that others should know about. There are no other instances in which this appears to have occurred.
Again, I wish you the best. EWH
We will both incorporate your experience in our counsel to others, both here on MedHelp and in practice. At the same time, if your provider feels that this is something that he has seen before or that he has sufficient evidence based on your experience, he should write a report for the scientific literature as this is a sentinel event that others should know about. There are no other instances in which this appears to have occurred.
Again, I wish you the best. EWH
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks for your follow-up. I understand that you are troubled by your diagnosis. Your comments and accusations however are insulting. Having written over three hundred peer-reviewed articles and a number of books on HIV and other STDs the idea that I might purposefully lie to you is simply absurd. Your doctor and I wil need to agree to disagree. My comments and knowledge are based on my experience in caring for persons with HIV before we knew it was HIV, from my own research and from over 30 years of STD and HIV focused practice.
I agree with your doctor that the best advice available at this time is for you to start therapy at this time. Like so much about this infection, this advice and recommendation could change (again) in the future- that does not mean that his advice or mine is incorrect, just that it has been supplanted by newer, more recent information. Your recent experience adds to my own knowledge base and will be incorporated in what I tell my patients, just as their experiences will.
I wish you the best. EWH
I agree with your doctor that the best advice available at this time is for you to start therapy at this time. Like so much about this infection, this advice and recommendation could change (again) in the future- that does not mean that his advice or mine is incorrect, just that it has been supplanted by newer, more recent information. Your recent experience adds to my own knowledge base and will be incorporated in what I tell my patients, just as their experiences will.
I wish you the best. EWH
It's been a horrific few weeks. I think Im starting to cope with my diagnosis slightly better, but its going to be a long road. Waking up every day is the hardest part. I want it to all be a bad dream.
The Infectious Disease Doctor saw me and had some tests run. I am confirmed HIV positive. My viral load is over 1 million and my CD4 count was 622. I am happy with the level of expertise he has displayed, and I have learned a great deal over the last 2 weeks. I have decided to start treatment immediately (this week after more tests are run), as there could be potential benefits to starting so soon after infection.
I came back to post because I am still a bit upset at how you handled my questions. I believe you intentionally lied to me in a few of your responses. I spoke with my Doctor (who is extremely well respected at a highly rated major hospital), and he had a much different view on a number of things your said. I am well aware that this website is an income producing mechanism for you, so you don't want to be discredited in any way. However I feel it's necessary to point out the misinformation that I was given.
Below are a few examples of the misinformation you gave me. You said:
'The symptoms of early HIV do not begin until at least two weeks after exposure'.
This is simply not true whatsoever. To state it as a fact is misleading and quite simply a lie. My Doctor told me it is not at all uncommon to start having symptoms 1 week after infection. Why would you lie about this?
'ARS does not last 9 days'
Another comment that is simply false. My Dr. (Again, who is highly respected, I can message you his name if you so choose) said that it can last up to 3-4 weeks in some people. To say it definitively doesn't last 9 days is shockingly bad information.
On another note, it is upsetting and disrespectful to me when you say I did not get HIV from this exposure. Do not pretend like you know what goes on with my life. I do not know if I was infected from the fingering or if there was definite penetration, but I can say with 100% certainty that it was from this exposure. (I did not have any other sexual encounters in this testing window)
My Doctor told me that it is not too far fetched to think I was infected from an open active bleeding wound that was drenched in menstrual blood. He said that is definitely possible. According to him, it's extremely unlikely to be infected from fingering, but 'it has almost certainly happened at some point.' The reason it's never been documented is because there are almost always other sexual acts that take place after the fingering. (And other reasons)
I understand that this website is mainly here to calm irrational people's fears. So in order to do that you may sometimes given false information or intentionally dismiss relevant information. I honestly do not think you meant any malicious intent, and I debated even making a post here. But I do think it could be viewed as unethical, as it could lead someone like me to not even get tested.
Like I said earlier, I know you make $ off this site so you might not want any disparaging comments. I am just telling you my story and my feelings about how you handled my situation. I apologize if I came off harsh, but Im dealing with alot of **** right now. The emotional damage is going to be far worse than the physical effects of this disease.
Thank you for your time.
The Infectious Disease Doctor saw me and had some tests run. I am confirmed HIV positive. My viral load is over 1 million and my CD4 count was 622. I am happy with the level of expertise he has displayed, and I have learned a great deal over the last 2 weeks. I have decided to start treatment immediately (this week after more tests are run), as there could be potential benefits to starting so soon after infection.
I came back to post because I am still a bit upset at how you handled my questions. I believe you intentionally lied to me in a few of your responses. I spoke with my Doctor (who is extremely well respected at a highly rated major hospital), and he had a much different view on a number of things your said. I am well aware that this website is an income producing mechanism for you, so you don't want to be discredited in any way. However I feel it's necessary to point out the misinformation that I was given.
Below are a few examples of the misinformation you gave me. You said:
'The symptoms of early HIV do not begin until at least two weeks after exposure'.
This is simply not true whatsoever. To state it as a fact is misleading and quite simply a lie. My Doctor told me it is not at all uncommon to start having symptoms 1 week after infection. Why would you lie about this?
'ARS does not last 9 days'
Another comment that is simply false. My Dr. (Again, who is highly respected, I can message you his name if you so choose) said that it can last up to 3-4 weeks in some people. To say it definitively doesn't last 9 days is shockingly bad information.
On another note, it is upsetting and disrespectful to me when you say I did not get HIV from this exposure. Do not pretend like you know what goes on with my life. I do not know if I was infected from the fingering or if there was definite penetration, but I can say with 100% certainty that it was from this exposure. (I did not have any other sexual encounters in this testing window)
My Doctor told me that it is not too far fetched to think I was infected from an open active bleeding wound that was drenched in menstrual blood. He said that is definitely possible. According to him, it's extremely unlikely to be infected from fingering, but 'it has almost certainly happened at some point.' The reason it's never been documented is because there are almost always other sexual acts that take place after the fingering. (And other reasons)
I understand that this website is mainly here to calm irrational people's fears. So in order to do that you may sometimes given false information or intentionally dismiss relevant information. I honestly do not think you meant any malicious intent, and I debated even making a post here. But I do think it could be viewed as unethical, as it could lead someone like me to not even get tested.
Like I said earlier, I know you make $ off this site so you might not want any disparaging comments. I am just telling you my story and my feelings about how you handled my situation. I apologize if I came off harsh, but Im dealing with alot of **** right now. The emotional damage is going to be far worse than the physical effects of this disease.
Thank you for your time.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Thanks Nursegirl. I appreciate your comments and stand by what was said above.
As far as the result is concerned, if you have gotten HIV, you did not get it from masturbation of the CSW you were with. As nursegirl has said, your next step is to have a second unrelated test for the virus. In your situation, the best test would be an HIV PCR test not a Western Blot.
Finally, with current therapies, with the exception of the fact that if your are infected and know it, you could transmit infection to others through irresponsible behavior involving others, it is similar to other chronic medical conditions such as hypertension or diabetes- nearly everyone who works with their health care providers and chooses to take their medication regularly can expect to live a normal lifespan. Today the avearge lifespan for a peson with HIV is 76, just two years shy of the average lifespan of the average American. Try not to buy into the socially fabricated stigma which all too often accompanies this infection.
Please let us know what your infectious diseases specialist says. EWH
As far as the result is concerned, if you have gotten HIV, you did not get it from masturbation of the CSW you were with. As nursegirl has said, your next step is to have a second unrelated test for the virus. In your situation, the best test would be an HIV PCR test not a Western Blot.
Finally, with current therapies, with the exception of the fact that if your are infected and know it, you could transmit infection to others through irresponsible behavior involving others, it is similar to other chronic medical conditions such as hypertension or diabetes- nearly everyone who works with their health care providers and chooses to take their medication regularly can expect to live a normal lifespan. Today the avearge lifespan for a peson with HIV is 76, just two years shy of the average lifespan of the average American. Try not to buy into the socially fabricated stigma which all too often accompanies this infection.
Please let us know what your infectious diseases specialist says. EWH
To be honest, this was for the Doctor and not anybody else. I didnt post in the other forum because of the trolls and hypochondriacs. (Im not saying you are a troll, in fact you provided me with good information and I appreciate it). Unfortunately there doesn't seem to be much value there besides you and a couple others.
Yes, Im aware I was likely infected during the brief intercourse that I was in denial/unsure about. It doesn't really matter at this point. I will try to move on and face the disease but at this point I can't sleep or do much of anything.
As I mentioned in my previous post, Im aware I need a WB. I said that Im going to the Doctor, so it doesn't need repeating.
Please don't give me the 'manageable illness, long -life etc etc' bs. Yes, there have been massive improvements in the last 25 years. It's not an immediate death sentence anymore....BUT IT'S STILL A HORRIFIC DISEASE. Just because there are improvements, it doesn't take away from the severity of the disease.
Lets ignore the obvious social and emotional catostrophes that come along with diagnosis. I already am clinically depressed and suffer from anxiety. Being positive is going to ruin my life, its that simple. I had one life and I ruined it.
Now for the physical part. Some people try and act like you take one pill per day and then you are fine and live a normal life. What about the chronic inflammation due to the HIV that will put you at much higer risk for cancers and a multitude of other diseases earlier in life? Even on meds there is irreversible damage to the immune system. What about things like shingles, peripheral neuropathy, etc etc etc etc etc? Also the long term toxicities of the drugs which nobody has any idea about yet. This is all assuming the meds work on me personally, which is no guarantee.
Please stop acting like HIV is anything but a life-changing horrendous uncurable disease.
Yes, Im aware I was likely infected during the brief intercourse that I was in denial/unsure about. It doesn't really matter at this point. I will try to move on and face the disease but at this point I can't sleep or do much of anything.
As I mentioned in my previous post, Im aware I need a WB. I said that Im going to the Doctor, so it doesn't need repeating.
Please don't give me the 'manageable illness, long -life etc etc' bs. Yes, there have been massive improvements in the last 25 years. It's not an immediate death sentence anymore....BUT IT'S STILL A HORRIFIC DISEASE. Just because there are improvements, it doesn't take away from the severity of the disease.
Lets ignore the obvious social and emotional catostrophes that come along with diagnosis. I already am clinically depressed and suffer from anxiety. Being positive is going to ruin my life, its that simple. I had one life and I ruined it.
Now for the physical part. Some people try and act like you take one pill per day and then you are fine and live a normal life. What about the chronic inflammation due to the HIV that will put you at much higer risk for cancers and a multitude of other diseases earlier in life? Even on meds there is irreversible damage to the immune system. What about things like shingles, peripheral neuropathy, etc etc etc etc etc? Also the long term toxicities of the drugs which nobody has any idea about yet. This is all assuming the meds work on me personally, which is no guarantee.
Please stop acting like HIV is anything but a life-changing horrendous uncurable disease.
IT WAS POSITIVE. TWO CLEAR LINES ON THE STICK WHICH MEANS IM HIV POSITIVE.
I have to comment. Just so you know, until you've had a confirmative Western Blot, you haven't been officially diagnosed with HIV.
The doctor did not give you irresponsible advice. He gave you accurate factual information based on scientific facts. Menstrual blood actually contains a lot less of the virus than blood from the circulatory system. Menstrual blood contains similar (or less) concentrations of the virus as genital secretions would. You received excellent and spot on advice here from the doctor.
If you do indeed end up confirming that you're infected, I wish you the best. HIV is a very manageable illness with people living long healthy lives with the right treatment.
(Hope you don't mind the comments, Dr. Hook, I apologize if you do)
I have to comment. Just so you know, until you've had a confirmative Western Blot, you haven't been officially diagnosed with HIV.
The doctor did not give you irresponsible advice. He gave you accurate factual information based on scientific facts. Menstrual blood actually contains a lot less of the virus than blood from the circulatory system. Menstrual blood contains similar (or less) concentrations of the virus as genital secretions would. You received excellent and spot on advice here from the doctor.
If you do indeed end up confirming that you're infected, I wish you the best. HIV is a very manageable illness with people living long healthy lives with the right treatment.
(Hope you don't mind the comments, Dr. Hook, I apologize if you do)
I took an OraQuick test on Monday. IT WAS POSITIVE. TWO CLEAR LINES ON THE STICK WHICH MEANS IM HIV POSITIVE.
The last few days have been an absolute nightmare and I cant imagine being in a worse state mentally. I have an appointment tomorrow with an Infectious Diseases Doctor. I cannot wait to hear what he has to say about my exposure.
I know it doesn't matter at this point but I believe you gave me false information. Intentionally or not, I do not know or care at this point. I believe you gave me advice to calm my perceived anxiety, not advice based on the reality of my situation. I know you will tell me that I need to get a Western Blot etc. I assume I will be doing this with my ID doctor. PLEASE do not give me any more false hope. I cannot emotionally handle it! The Oraquick tests are EXTREMELY accurate.
I don't know if I was infected via fingering or the possible brief penetration. But to dismiss blood on blood contact potentially transmitting HIV is simply irresponsible. I had an open wound on my finger that was bleeding and menstrual blood was literally inserted in my open cut. How is blood on blood contact not a risk? Of course it is. However you are mainly here to calm people's irrational fears, not to analyze each situation individually.
I apologize for being harsh, Im in a very dark place. The one bright spot is I can hopefully start treatment asap. Treating this early could potentially have some benefits in the future based on what I read.
I suppose if you have any honest advice on how to proceed I would appreciate it.
I will come back and post after my Dr. Appointment.
The last few days have been an absolute nightmare and I cant imagine being in a worse state mentally. I have an appointment tomorrow with an Infectious Diseases Doctor. I cannot wait to hear what he has to say about my exposure.
I know it doesn't matter at this point but I believe you gave me false information. Intentionally or not, I do not know or care at this point. I believe you gave me advice to calm my perceived anxiety, not advice based on the reality of my situation. I know you will tell me that I need to get a Western Blot etc. I assume I will be doing this with my ID doctor. PLEASE do not give me any more false hope. I cannot emotionally handle it! The Oraquick tests are EXTREMELY accurate.
I don't know if I was infected via fingering or the possible brief penetration. But to dismiss blood on blood contact potentially transmitting HIV is simply irresponsible. I had an open wound on my finger that was bleeding and menstrual blood was literally inserted in my open cut. How is blood on blood contact not a risk? Of course it is. However you are mainly here to calm people's irrational fears, not to analyze each situation individually.
I apologize for being harsh, Im in a very dark place. The one bright spot is I can hopefully start treatment asap. Treating this early could potentially have some benefits in the future based on what I read.
I suppose if you have any honest advice on how to proceed I would appreciate it.
I will come back and post after my Dr. Appointment.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Does any type of sexual contact while a woman is menstruating increase the risk of HIV?
This is a repetitive question. It was answered before. The answer is still no.
Your belief that your current illness is ARS is again incorrect. ARS does not last 9 days. Further in scientific studies of patients with CLASSICAL ARS symptoms show that in over 98% of cases the symptoms are due to something other than HIV. Your test will be negative.
You may post your results when available. Until then I will have nothing more to say. EWH
This is a repetitive question. It was answered before. The answer is still no.
Your belief that your current illness is ARS is again incorrect. ARS does not last 9 days. Further in scientific studies of patients with CLASSICAL ARS symptoms show that in over 98% of cases the symptoms are due to something other than HIV. Your test will be negative.
You may post your results when available. Until then I will have nothing more to say. EWH
Dr Hook
Could you please answer this for me?
Does any type of sexual contact while a woman is menstruating increase the risk of HIV? I read differing opinions on this, and I wanted to hear from an expert.
An update on my situation. I am now going on 9 DAYS STRAIGHT with a fever!!!! I know alot of people on these boards greatly exaggerate their symptoms and likely even sometimes imagine things. However this is the complete truth, and Ive had a fever for 9 STRAIGHT DAYS! There is literally no other explanation for a fever to last this long.
Again, if I didn't have this unexplained fever, I wouldn't have worried at all. But this is not a coincidence. I've never had a fever like this in my life. To say its just a coincidence given the timetable and my exposure would be irresponsible and naive in my opinion. This is classic ARS from everything Ive read (CDC and other very reputable sources).
Even when I report back the positive results Im sure you either a)wont believe me or b)will think I acquired it from a different encounter. I was tested about 3 weeks ago before this encounter, and this was my only sexual experience since then. If I test positive its due to my described encounter.
I could go to the store and get an Ora-Quick test, but Im too terrified. I know I am Hiv Positive and I need to come to grips with it. Im going to get tested on Monday and then hopefully get into a Dr. and start medication By next week.
It really hurts and Im in a deep depression. I could have taken PeP and saved my life. I thought it was such low risk (even if there was penetration) that I didn't need PeP. Now it's turning out to be the biggest mistake of my life.
Could you please answer this for me?
Does any type of sexual contact while a woman is menstruating increase the risk of HIV? I read differing opinions on this, and I wanted to hear from an expert.
An update on my situation. I am now going on 9 DAYS STRAIGHT with a fever!!!! I know alot of people on these boards greatly exaggerate their symptoms and likely even sometimes imagine things. However this is the complete truth, and Ive had a fever for 9 STRAIGHT DAYS! There is literally no other explanation for a fever to last this long.
Again, if I didn't have this unexplained fever, I wouldn't have worried at all. But this is not a coincidence. I've never had a fever like this in my life. To say its just a coincidence given the timetable and my exposure would be irresponsible and naive in my opinion. This is classic ARS from everything Ive read (CDC and other very reputable sources).
Even when I report back the positive results Im sure you either a)wont believe me or b)will think I acquired it from a different encounter. I was tested about 3 weeks ago before this encounter, and this was my only sexual experience since then. If I test positive its due to my described encounter.
I could go to the store and get an Ora-Quick test, but Im too terrified. I know I am Hiv Positive and I need to come to grips with it. Im going to get tested on Monday and then hopefully get into a Dr. and start medication By next week.
It really hurts and Im in a deep depression. I could have taken PeP and saved my life. I thought it was such low risk (even if there was penetration) that I didn't need PeP. Now it's turning out to be the biggest mistake of my life.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You are being argumentative. Certainly there is a theoretical risk, just as there is a theoretical risk that you are going to be struck by a falling meteor while reading this- each is about equally "theoretetically" likely. If you are worried about HIV from this exposure, you should be equally worried about meteors.
As for testing, as I said, I suggested testing for the purpose of proving to yourself that there was no risk, not because there is a realistic concern that you are infected. You need to figure out a way to get over your groundless fears.
Nothing more to say. EWH
As for testing, as I said, I suggested testing for the purpose of proving to yourself that there was no risk, not because there is a realistic concern that you are infected. You need to figure out a way to get over your groundless fears.
Nothing more to say. EWH
Dr. Hook, I will get antibody tested today.
Can you please answer the following questions for me?
As for my encounter. I had a large gash on my finger that was open and came in direct contact with menstrual blood. There has to be some risk, at least theoretical, correct? Although there might not be any documented cases of exposure via this medium, surely it's happened before?
You said in a previous post that I did not have an exposure and now you recommend I get tested. To say Im worried is an understatement.
Can you please answer the following questions for me?
As for my encounter. I had a large gash on my finger that was open and came in direct contact with menstrual blood. There has to be some risk, at least theoretical, correct? Although there might not be any documented cases of exposure via this medium, surely it's happened before?
You said in a previous post that I did not have an exposure and now you recommend I get tested. To say Im worried is an understatement.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You are correct, I do assume that you are over reacting. I am sorry that you've had a fever for more than five days but nothing that you say in any way changes my assessment or recommendations. Your argumentative statements that your fever could be early onset ARS simply are not supported by the scientific understanding of the process.
If your fever were due to ARS, your antibody test would now be positive. Go get tested if you are willing to believe the test results. You may post your test results when they are available. EWH
If your fever were due to ARS, your antibody test would now be positive. Go get tested if you are willing to believe the test results. You may post your test results when they are available. EWH
Dr Hook,
Thank you for your timely response. I still have a few more question/comments.
First of all, I still have a fever. This means that Ive had a fever for over 5 days now with no reasonable explanation. My other symptoms are headache and mouth manifestations. Generally I wouldn't even have worried about this encounter, but the symptoms are absolutely terrifying me. I've never had an unexplained fever like this for 5+ days before.
You mentioned that symptoms of seroconversion start two weeks or later after exposure. This is not concrete, correct? It certainly wouldn't be that unreasonable to have ARS begin 8 days after exposure?
So any type of sexual contact while a woman is menstruating does not increase the risk of HIV? I read differing opinions on this, and I wanted to hear from an expert.
As for my encounter. I had a large gash on my finger that was open and came in direct contact with menstrual blood. There has to be some risk, at least theoretical, correct? Although there might not be any documented cases of exposure via this medium, surely it's happened before? It's just extremely hard to document. Even if I turn out positive from this exposure, it probably wouldn't be documented as infection via fingering...
Suffice to say Im terrified. It actually crossed my mind to take PeP, but I thought it was such low risk that I didn't need to. I guess I made a terrible mistake by not taking it.
Obviously in your shoes you see someone who had a low risk encounter with a fever. im sure you assume Im overreacting. However I know my body and its just too much of a coincidence to have these exact symptoms within this timetable. If the fever went away after a few days I wouldn't worry. But 5+ days is very strange...
Thank you for your timely response. I still have a few more question/comments.
First of all, I still have a fever. This means that Ive had a fever for over 5 days now with no reasonable explanation. My other symptoms are headache and mouth manifestations. Generally I wouldn't even have worried about this encounter, but the symptoms are absolutely terrifying me. I've never had an unexplained fever like this for 5+ days before.
You mentioned that symptoms of seroconversion start two weeks or later after exposure. This is not concrete, correct? It certainly wouldn't be that unreasonable to have ARS begin 8 days after exposure?
So any type of sexual contact while a woman is menstruating does not increase the risk of HIV? I read differing opinions on this, and I wanted to hear from an expert.
As for my encounter. I had a large gash on my finger that was open and came in direct contact with menstrual blood. There has to be some risk, at least theoretical, correct? Although there might not be any documented cases of exposure via this medium, surely it's happened before? It's just extremely hard to document. Even if I turn out positive from this exposure, it probably wouldn't be documented as infection via fingering...
Suffice to say Im terrified. It actually crossed my mind to take PeP, but I thought it was such low risk that I didn't need to. I guess I made a terrible mistake by not taking it.
Obviously in your shoes you see someone who had a low risk encounter with a fever. im sure you assume Im overreacting. However I know my body and its just too much of a coincidence to have these exact symptoms within this timetable. If the fever went away after a few days I wouldn't worry. But 5+ days is very strange...
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the Forum. I can tell you with confidence that the exposure that you describe did not put you at risk for HIV and that your symptoms are not due to recently acquired HIV. As I suspect you know, most commercial sex workers do not have HIV and, even if your masseuse did, even with cuts on your fingers, there is no meaningful risk of acquiring HIV from masturbating (fingering) her even if she was menstruating.
As for the possible penetration of your penis during frottage, I doubt it. Had you penetrated her there would be no doubt. Had you penetrated her however, I would remind you that she most probably did not have HIV and even if she did, your risk for infection would be, on average, between 1 in 1000 and 1 in 2000, at most. That she was menstruating again would not change this
As for your symptoms, I am confident that they are not due to recently acquired HIV because of their timing. The symptoms of early HIV do not begin until at least two weeks after exposure, thus your symptoms began too quickly and are most likely due to some other, community acquired viral infection unrelated to your trip to the masseuse.
I hope these comments are helpful. EWH
As for the possible penetration of your penis during frottage, I doubt it. Had you penetrated her there would be no doubt. Had you penetrated her however, I would remind you that she most probably did not have HIV and even if she did, your risk for infection would be, on average, between 1 in 1000 and 1 in 2000, at most. That she was menstruating again would not change this
As for your symptoms, I am confident that they are not due to recently acquired HIV because of their timing. The symptoms of early HIV do not begin until at least two weeks after exposure, thus your symptoms began too quickly and are most likely due to some other, community acquired viral infection unrelated to your trip to the masseuse.
I hope these comments are helpful. EWH
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