Aa
Serious HIV exposure. Currently on PEP
While overseas in Philipines working I did a very stupid thing. I met a girl at a disco one night while drunk & took her to my hotel room.
We started having sex (I was wearing a condom) & fortunately I noticed that she was menstruating a little bit. Once I noticed this I immediately stopped, proceeded to the bathroom & took the condom off. She then performed oral on me without a condom. Once during the night & again during the morning.
Some more facts of the situation:
- Prior to going back to the hotel room we kissed ALOT. I do not think I had any cuts or anything in my mouth or on my face during this time.
- Prior to her performing any oral on me (during the first time) she vomited up a bit in the bathroom because of too much alcohol.
- About 1 to 2 days prior I was still healing from a mild Herpes outbreak on the penis. I do not think I had any open sores or anything whatsoever during the event.
- MOST important. The following day I decided because of the blood & everything that happened above that if she would be ok to get a HIV test. Her test result was Positive. The followup test will occur (Western Blot test) to confirm if the result is accurate.
After her blood tests I started freaking out. I googled, got lucky & stumbled across what is known as the PEP. When I saw this I immediately booked the next flight out of the country & headed back home to Australia. Within 36 hours I initiated the first course of the Truvada & Kaletra. Note that the timeframe I calculated from starts from when we got into the hotel room (not the kissing in the disco).
.
- I've read on the internet that if PEP is not administered in the first 24 hours its effectiveness is reduced considerably. Is this true?
- My understanding is that with the generation 4 HIV tests the window period is reduced to 3-4 weeks. Will undertakeing PEP impair the accuracy of this test for me in anyway? I plan to take a test at the 3rd, 4th & 12 week.
We started having sex (I was wearing a condom) & fortunately I noticed that she was menstruating a little bit. Once I noticed this I immediately stopped, proceeded to the bathroom & took the condom off. She then performed oral on me without a condom. Once during the night & again during the morning.
Some more facts of the situation:
- Prior to going back to the hotel room we kissed ALOT. I do not think I had any cuts or anything in my mouth or on my face during this time.
- Prior to her performing any oral on me (during the first time) she vomited up a bit in the bathroom because of too much alcohol.
- About 1 to 2 days prior I was still healing from a mild Herpes outbreak on the penis. I do not think I had any open sores or anything whatsoever during the event.
- MOST important. The following day I decided because of the blood & everything that happened above that if she would be ok to get a HIV test. Her test result was Positive. The followup test will occur (Western Blot test) to confirm if the result is accurate.
After her blood tests I started freaking out. I googled, got lucky & stumbled across what is known as the PEP. When I saw this I immediately booked the next flight out of the country & headed back home to Australia. Within 36 hours I initiated the first course of the Truvada & Kaletra. Note that the timeframe I calculated from starts from when we got into the hotel room (not the kissing in the disco).
.
- I've read on the internet that if PEP is not administered in the first 24 hours its effectiveness is reduced considerably. Is this true?
- My understanding is that with the generation 4 HIV tests the window period is reduced to 3-4 weeks. Will undertakeing PEP impair the accuracy of this test for me in anyway? I plan to take a test at the 3rd, 4th & 12 week.
You are missing on the important thing that Dr.Sean said, "there was seemingly no risk. Menstrual blood on the outside of the condom is not relevant. Kissing is not a risk in terms of HIV"
In my case whilst undertaking the PEP, would the P24 Antigen test potentially be usefull? Or, would the PEP drugs hinder the accuracy of this test also (I understand this test wouldn't show active unless antigen levels are high).
Apologies for asking all these questions.. I have been told my risk level is pretty low by my doctor as well. However,I've read articles that state somone who already has herpes (even with no outbreak) has a significant increase in exposure to getting HIV.
One thing I would like to know is, theoretically if I did have a cut/open sore on my penis during the time oral was given to me, what is the increased risk here? Especially if the oral went for around 10 mins or maybe a bit longer? Also, assuming there were no cuts in her mouth.
I don't believe that there were any visible open wounds on my penis, but the articles I have read state that someone who has herpes (even when the region has healed) microscopic tears that the human eye can't see in that region is the cause of the increase exposure to the HIV virus.
Once again, apologies for all the questions. It is the paranoia that is making me think crazy at the moment.
Apologies for asking all these questions.. I have been told my risk level is pretty low by my doctor as well. However,I've read articles that state somone who already has herpes (even with no outbreak) has a significant increase in exposure to getting HIV.
One thing I would like to know is, theoretically if I did have a cut/open sore on my penis during the time oral was given to me, what is the increased risk here? Especially if the oral went for around 10 mins or maybe a bit longer? Also, assuming there were no cuts in her mouth.
I don't believe that there were any visible open wounds on my penis, but the articles I have read state that someone who has herpes (even when the region has healed) microscopic tears that the human eye can't see in that region is the cause of the increase exposure to the HIV virus.
Once again, apologies for all the questions. It is the paranoia that is making me think crazy at the moment.
I was not aware that genital Herpes (HSV-2) could be transferred to other parts of another anatomy such as the face. I understood wrong. I wish I had of known this back then.
Quote:
"The PCR is not useful for you because you have commenced PEP. PEP is designed to suppress HIV replication. The PCR is designed to identify replication."
Even if you had started PEP too late/PEP was not working for you & you acquired HIV, are you saying that the drugs would suppress the HIV replication to the point of being undetectable with this test? I thought the test was very sensitive. Even if it gives me say 70 percent accuracy earlier than 4 weeks it is something to me.
Quote:
"The PCR is not useful for you because you have commenced PEP. PEP is designed to suppress HIV replication. The PCR is designed to identify replication."
Even if you had started PEP too late/PEP was not working for you & you acquired HIV, are you saying that the drugs would suppress the HIV replication to the point of being undetectable with this test? I thought the test was very sensitive. Even if it gives me say 70 percent accuracy earlier than 4 weeks it is something to me.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello
The first thing that occurred to me was that you were kind enough to let this girl suck you even though you knew you'd had a recent outbreak of herpes on your penis. You were content to expose her to an STD.
With respect to your worries about yourself:-
36 hours is absolutely fine in terms of taking PEP - although I do not believe you needed it as there was seemingly no risk. Menstrual blood on the outside of the condom is not relevant. Kissing is not a risk in terms of HIV.
The PCR is not useful for you because you have commenced PEP. PEP is designed to suppress HIV replication. The PCR is designed to identify replication. You should now have a DUO test at 2 weeks post completion of PEP plus or minus an RNA PCR at the same time. You should then follow the testing guidelines of the country in which you are in for post PEP circumstances.
Best regards, Sean
The first thing that occurred to me was that you were kind enough to let this girl suck you even though you knew you'd had a recent outbreak of herpes on your penis. You were content to expose her to an STD.
With respect to your worries about yourself:-
36 hours is absolutely fine in terms of taking PEP - although I do not believe you needed it as there was seemingly no risk. Menstrual blood on the outside of the condom is not relevant. Kissing is not a risk in terms of HIV.
The PCR is not useful for you because you have commenced PEP. PEP is designed to suppress HIV replication. The PCR is designed to identify replication. You should now have a DUO test at 2 weeks post completion of PEP plus or minus an RNA PCR at the same time. You should then follow the testing guidelines of the country in which you are in for post PEP circumstances.
Best regards, Sean
One other really important question. I have heard about the PCR RNA test which can detect the HIV virus in as little as 10 days (Window period of 10 days). Is this true & should I consider doing this? I am extremely worried. Can't eat, can't sleep waiting for weeks.
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