If you do not know that this woman was HIV infected, I would not recommend PEP. On the other hand, your concerns are the possiblity that she might have some STD are probably legititmate. Withthis in mind, at some point at least 3 days following exposure, I would recommend routine STD testing (gonorhea, chlamydia and NGU). I would not be concerned about syphilis. Periodic HIV testing is always a good idea, just as a matter of personal health. With regard to the exposure you describe, as far as HIV testing is concerned, I would wait until 6 weeks following your expsoure for HIV testing.
I don't answer "have you ever seen questions...". They are anxiety driven and the answers would be misleading no matter what the answer (I am only one person on one hand, on the other, I get many unusual cases referred to me). I will say however that the risk for the expsoure you describe is rather low and I would urge you not to worry. EWH
last one. I hvae confirmed the woman on the net I mentioned is not the same woman I saw yesterday.
Thank you for your reply. While I am trying to let my logical side prevail here (i.e stats and odds), I admit I am getting very anxious now that I see PEP mentioned. I went back and looked at these posts where someone said this woman is HIV positive, I was probably mistaken, the pictures do not look like her nor do the phone numbers match, although numbers can be changed etc. I do not know anyone personally that does know her.
I appreciate your honesty, and would appreciate more. If I were your patient and I came to see you under these conditions, would you recommend HIV (or even Syphillis) testing? The std clinic here did not seem to concerned about HIV testing as I am the one that mentioned it. They mentioned testing for the others (gonnorrhea, Clamydia, and possibly Syphillis,). Nonetheless, this woman was either a. not too smart and really did not know what I was talking about or b. did not get my English, although I find it hard to believe.
As well, have you ever seen a male with my risk level/lifestyle who had a confirmed female HIV partner test positive in your experience? I cannot find anything on the net to point to this type of scenraio. I am trying hard to let this go and not obsess over it and I am really trying to avoid the net for information, however it is a struggle.
Last post for me. Thank you again for your time.
From your post there is little question as to whether or not you are low risk. You are! So, the question we have here is what is your risk, given the possibility that your partner was certainly relatively high risk and might have even been HIV infected. While we do not know if she had HIV or not, for argument's sake, let's say that she was- then what is your risk. Bottom line- it's still low. Now for the basis for my statement.
Even if she had HIV, the statistical odds of you getting infected are less than 1 in 1000. In fact, while there are no studies to evaluate this, given how brief your exposure is, they are probably lower still.
My advice. First re-check your sources. If your really know that she is HIV infected, despite the low overall risk, it may be in your best interest to consider post-exposure prophylaxis. This is ONLY the case if you are sure that she has HIV.. If you just think she might, there is little reason to consider PEP . Otherwise, my advice would be as follows:
1. Get tested for common bacterial STDs in 3-4 days (gonorrhea, chlamydia, NGU).
2. Consider getting syphilis and HIV testing at some point beyond 4 weeks after your exposure.
Hope this addresses your questions and is helpful. Take care. EWH