Aa
Worried about HIV
Hi Doctor,
In May, I had protected sex with a sex worker. Did not worry about it. Felt safe, moved on.
On Friday June 6th, I engaged in protected sex with a sex worker again (different woman). She put the condom on me, performed oral (while the condom was on), and then I inserted my penis into her vagina for about one to two minutes. I did not ejaculate and pulled out. She then went on to perform oral again with the condom on me. Then we tried to have sex again with a different condom, but due to anxiety I lost my erection and our session ended.
(1) Because she performed oral on me before we had sex, is it possible that she may have created a tear in the condom? She was going really hard. And also, she used lube, (2) I heard some lubes cause condom failure as well?
I did not see the condom break, but can't confirm that it was intact either (i have never witnessed a condom breaking so i do not know what it is like).
4-5 days after this incident I have: sore throat, runny nose, headache, fever, sore left eye lid, my tongue was hurting for a bit, and mild cough. I was prescribed amoxicillin and some other anti-biotic for my eyelid. The medication is helping somewhat. (3) Could this be me seroconverting?
Also, the sex worker looked like she was in her 40s. I am only 21. For some reason, it kind of looked like she had HIV. It was just something about her face (the fat on her cheeks maybe?).
(4) Would you recommend a HIV test for me?
(5) And what are the chances I have HIV (all things considered - symptoms, exposure, sex workers)?
(6) Would I have known if the condom broke and if it did, is my risk high?
This fear has taken the last 4 days of my life. I am trying to move on. But it's been hard. I dealt with similar anxiety last year after engaging in unprotected sex with my girlfriend. But, this time it was a sex worker (protected most likely), so I feel like I have reason to worry again.
Thank you, Doctor.
In May, I had protected sex with a sex worker. Did not worry about it. Felt safe, moved on.
On Friday June 6th, I engaged in protected sex with a sex worker again (different woman). She put the condom on me, performed oral (while the condom was on), and then I inserted my penis into her vagina for about one to two minutes. I did not ejaculate and pulled out. She then went on to perform oral again with the condom on me. Then we tried to have sex again with a different condom, but due to anxiety I lost my erection and our session ended.
(1) Because she performed oral on me before we had sex, is it possible that she may have created a tear in the condom? She was going really hard. And also, she used lube, (2) I heard some lubes cause condom failure as well?
I did not see the condom break, but can't confirm that it was intact either (i have never witnessed a condom breaking so i do not know what it is like).
4-5 days after this incident I have: sore throat, runny nose, headache, fever, sore left eye lid, my tongue was hurting for a bit, and mild cough. I was prescribed amoxicillin and some other anti-biotic for my eyelid. The medication is helping somewhat. (3) Could this be me seroconverting?
Also, the sex worker looked like she was in her 40s. I am only 21. For some reason, it kind of looked like she had HIV. It was just something about her face (the fat on her cheeks maybe?).
(4) Would you recommend a HIV test for me?
(5) And what are the chances I have HIV (all things considered - symptoms, exposure, sex workers)?
(6) Would I have known if the condom broke and if it did, is my risk high?
This fear has taken the last 4 days of my life. I am trying to move on. But it's been hard. I dealt with similar anxiety last year after engaging in unprotected sex with my girlfriend. But, this time it was a sex worker (protected most likely), so I feel like I have reason to worry again.
Thank you, Doctor.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the Forum. I'll be happy to provide some information. The exposure you describe did not put you at risk for HIV or for other STIs. As I understand it, the entire encounter was condom protected and this makes it safe sex as long as the condom did not break. Condoms are the single most effective means of preventing infection during sex with a potentially infected sex partner. They fail about 1% of the time and when they fail, there is no doubt that they have failed- they break wide open, quite obviously. Lubricants reduce the likelihood of condom failure unless they are petroleum based (i.e. like vaseline). When petroleum based lubricants are used, they still do not usually break but are more likely to break than if a water-based lubricant, or no lubricant is used.
In your case, you do not even know that your partner had HIV or other STI. Most commercial sex workers do not have HIV and even when they do, HIV is transmitted in 1 out of every 1000-2000 sexual encounters.
If I were you I would not worry about the encounters you have described. I suspect your recent sore throat is a coincidence and nothing more. I see no medical need for concern, for testing or for avoidance of unprotected sex with your girlfriend. I hope my comments are helpful. EWH
In your case, you do not even know that your partner had HIV or other STI. Most commercial sex workers do not have HIV and even when they do, HIV is transmitted in 1 out of every 1000-2000 sexual encounters.
If I were you I would not worry about the encounters you have described. I suspect your recent sore throat is a coincidence and nothing more. I see no medical need for concern, for testing or for avoidance of unprotected sex with your girlfriend. I hope my comments are helpful. EWH
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1. No, it sounds like broncitis, not ARS.
2. Yes, you are correct. As I indicated in my original reply, there is virtually no risk for infection from the encounter you describe. EWH
2. Yes, you are correct. As I indicated in my original reply, there is virtually no risk for infection from the encounter you describe. EWH
Thank you for your timely response! Just a few more questions:
1) Do my symptoms (sore throat sore eye lid, runny nose, yellow phlegm, mild cough) look like a typical seroconversion? If so, can this be used over the overwhelming statistics to suggest that I may in fact have been infected?
2) Based on information provided on this site, am I correct to assume my odds of being infected are: .01 (1/100 chance she has HIV) *. 01 (1/100 chance the condom broke) *0.001 (1/1000 chance of transmission if she is infected) = 1/10000000 or 0.000001% (virtually zero per encounter)?
1) Do my symptoms (sore throat sore eye lid, runny nose, yellow phlegm, mild cough) look like a typical seroconversion? If so, can this be used over the overwhelming statistics to suggest that I may in fact have been infected?
2) Based on information provided on this site, am I correct to assume my odds of being infected are: .01 (1/100 chance she has HIV) *. 01 (1/100 chance the condom broke) *0.001 (1/1000 chance of transmission if she is infected) = 1/10000000 or 0.000001% (virtually zero per encounter)?
Last note: these events took place in Ontario, Canada.
*Another note: the sex worker was a little cheaper than most. She charged only $60 for 30 minutes. Most charge $80 for 30 minutes. AND she offered unprotected oral for extra. This worried me after the fact.
*And the symptoms appeared 5-6 days after to be more exact.
*And the symptoms appeared 5-6 days after to be more exact.
You are reading content posted in the HIV - Prevention Forum
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
