A definite reply needed

I had an unprotected sex with a sex worker two years ago. For HIV,  I began to worry about it since then. In the past two years, I have got 4 months Oralsure test, 6 months Oralsure test, 10 months blood test, 16 months blood test and 20 months blood test. All of the results come back negative.
  

  
But until now I am still worrying about it sometimes: (1) What is the possiblity of being infected by a single unprotected sex? Am I safe? (2) Without risky exposure repeated any more, should I still continue the antibody test every year? (3) When should the test be ended? (4) Can I get married and have a baby? (5) Can I make blood donation or organ donation sometime later?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

1) The chance of a man acquiring HIV from any single episode of vaginal sex averages 1 in 2,000, if his female partner is infected.  Most sex workers don't have HIV.  2) Your test results prove you didn't catch HIV.  There certainly is no reason to keep testing, unless you have ongoing risks of exposure.  3) Your testing should have ended after the negative test at 4 months. 4) Of course you can marry and have children.  5) Technically, someone who has ever had sex with a commercial sex partner is not supposed to donate blood.  However, some blood centers soften this rule after a certain period of time.  You can phone your local blood bank to ask their policy.

It sounds like you don't know much about HIV transmission risks and testing.  Better do some research.  Good luck.

HHH, MD

[dumbo]

Dr., you said to research HIV risks, transmission etc.  Well, I like to do this but there is limited info available.... via the net anyway.  Most info is usually the same and full of contradictions to your posts.  

I like what you write and am a fan because you are not afraid to say what seems to be the truth.  That is very refreshing.  But, where does one go, other than here, to get such good and accurate info?  In reality the info you provide is probably good enough for what I need, but i do like to read and learn so some direction where to do this would be appreciated.

thanks

[needfuture]

Dear Dr.HHH,

Thank you so much for your kind and definite reply.

"5) Technically, someone who has ever had sex with a commercial sex partner is not supposed to donate blood."

Could you please tell me the reason for that if you do not mind?
Definitely not because of HIV?

All of the people in this forum appreciate what you have done.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

NF: Thanks for the thanks about the forum.  It is a standard public health recommendation that people with commercial sex partners are asked to not donate blood.  It is 25 years old, since the early AIDS days, and in my opinion it is somewhat outmoded and unrealistic, given the performance of modern HIV tests.  But it remains an official recommendation of most blood donation centers, because of concerns about HIV risks.

Dumbo:  Ninety percent of the questions on this forum are looking for data that don't exist. For example, there never will be more accurate data on the risk of acquiring HIV by oral sex than we have now.  Most public health departments, CDC, and many academic medical centers have accurate online information.  But don't look for the kind of detail that I suspect you are seeking.  The data don't exist.

[needfuture]

Dear Dr.HHH,

Thank you so much for your kind and nice reply.

I did some research about the blood donation,some of them says: when tested negative, one still can not donate blood in 12 months after high risk exposure.  Using current testing technique, you think this time period should be less, right? .

Once again, in my case, without repeated risky exposure, are you really sure about that my negative testing results are definite and conclusive and I should stop the testing right now?

Thanks again! Have a good day!

Sincerely,
NF  

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I didn't change my mind since yesterday about your test results.