tranasexual incident

[perplexed_guy]

Dear Doctors

Almost 4 weeks ago I had an encounter with a pre-op transexual: s/he wanted to see my penis, and wanted to touch it - I showed it to her, she reached out to touch it - am not sure whether she did manage to do so as it occured quickly and I cannot say she did not for sure. However she did not masturbate me, nor do I remember seeing her touch her mouth/penis/anus (if s/he did, s/he must have been amazingly fast!) in fact, her underwear was still on. Afterwards, I put my trousers back up, and we dry humped..

Consequently, no anal or oral sex took place, and, since my understanding is that HIV requires penetration, I dismissed the incident and resolved to be stronger in future.

Anyway, last Tuesday, 3 weeks after, all of a sudden, whilst eating, my right submandilbular gland swelled up. I rushed to my GP, who confirmed this, gave me some antibiotics and told me to drink loads of water.

I did not mention this incident to the GP, since my wife was present. The swelling went down over the next day or so.

Now yesterday I woke up with a sore throat and red/inflamed tonsils...ears and nose are sometimes blocked..there seems to be some pus and mucus..No fever or headaches but a slight aching in back and shoulders/neck

I am perplexed because these seem ARS symptoms, at the "right" time and yet I cannot imagine how I could have contracted the virus from this incident? I emphasise that there was not other sexual activity, except with my wife.

P.S. In November, I had a negative HIV test, which was required for insurance purposes.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Again, no change in my assessment. The exposure you described had no risk for HIV.  On the other hand, the symptoms you now describe (upset stomach and diarrhea) are common in persons who take antibiotics (which you most probably did not need either), persons with typical, every day viral illnesses (which is proably what you had), or both.  Further, a temperature of 37.4 is well within the normal range.  

It sounds like you have a cold.  EWH

[perplexed_guy]

dear doctor

kindly bear with me for a final question.

i took your advice, and the cold seemed to be dying out.my antibiotic prescription finished on friday. however, i've had an upset stomach since saturday (yesterday) afternoon, with diaorrhea, and my temperature went up to 37.4 now. other than that i have a blocked nose and chest congestion.

i would appreciate if you could be so kind as to confirm that this is nothing to do with HIV...

thank you

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No change in my assessment.  I agree with your GP.  Please try not to worry.  EWH

[perplexed_guy]

Thank you for your reply.

I forgot to mention that the transexual was a prostitute, and that I took the flu vaccine this year as I do every year - do those circumstances make a difference to your assessment?

I visited my GP again today and he said I have a "winter cold".

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to our Forum. The incident that you describe is not associated with any risk for acquistion of HIV or any other STD.  HIV is transmitted only through penetrative sexual contact or injection of infected materials deep into tissue. The symptoms you describe, despite their (very) slight overlap with the symptoms of the ARS, are coincidental an nothing more.  There is absolutely no need for concern of for testing related to the events you describe.  

I hope this comment is helpful to you.  EWH