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Avatar universal

Bad decision. Need reassurance Dr. H.

In short, I made the mistake of hiring an escort the other night. We engaged in protected vaginal intercourse until at the very end, the condom broke. I must have been exposed for 5 secs max as I realized right away.

I asked her if she's been tested etc. She claimed to be clean. I also went for a full STD test the next day. Of course, the results won't be in for weeks and some for months.

My concerns? HIV, of course. And, Herpes as I noticed a small lesion/mark on the tip of my penis the day after. No itching or discharge etc. Logic tells me this marking is the result of vigorous sex. Fear says it's an STD.

What is your opinion?

Thanks.
14 Responses
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300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This will be your last answer.  Please understand two important facts:

First, HIV risk is a "mumbers game",  If something happens one out of thosand times and 1000 people take the chance, someone's "number will come up".  Your numerical risk is less, and probably far less tahn 1 in 10,000.

Second, if you look at the internet, I can promise you that you will find many sites where there are posts which will fuel your anxiety.  To look for/at them will do you little good as what is done is done.  While we do not enter into "debates" with statements made on other sites, some of the information found on the net is just plain wrong and some sites tell if the "exceptions that prove the rule".  Your risk is tiny and it is more likely that you will get hit by a car in the next day of so than that you got HIV from the exposure you describe.  I suspect you don't worry too much about being hit by cars and just take appropriate precautions.  You ahve done the same thing in terms of sex.  You will be fine.  Please do your best to understand that and don't allow yourself to be paralyzed by fear.  If you cannot, then I would suggest you seek the assistance of a counselor who can help you to put this al into perspective.  I hope this comment helps.  Take care.  EWH
Helpful - 1
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
At 4 weeks over 90% of tests that are going to be positive following an expsoure will be.  When you can rule out with 90% probability a very rare event (such as a 1 in 1000 chance of infection), the added benefit of waiting until 6-8 weeks when virtually all tests would be positve is insignificant an dhas little meaning.  Realistically, with current tests, no one needs to wait 3 months to find out that they do not have HIV.

STD testing at less than 1 day following exposure may not be reliable.  Given your anxiety, I presumed you would want to be sure.  EWH
Helpful - 1
Avatar universal
Thanks. You have been helpful. I really appreciate it.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Well, I just visited the another site, called "The Body.com" A reputable site about HIV and other STD's. UNfortunately, what I found has caused my panic to increase ten fold. One of the clinic workers has diagnosed someone with HIV after one, single unprotected episode of vaginal intercourse. Now I'm really freaking out. Up until now, I had only head of this when certain variables were in place - lying about experience with men, other stds as a route of transmission, IV drug use etc. They make no mention of this. At all.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Alas, I am still terribly nervous. Not much you can do about that, I know.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thanks so much for your responses. Given that I have no symptoms of any STDs - as you ruled out the abrasion as being STD related - I am fairly confident that I have little to worry about.

I will consult with my GP for further advice.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Also, if my risk for STDs is so low, why is it advisable to do repeat testing?
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I am sorry for my impatience. The urgency of this matter - in my mind that is - created that. Thanks for your response. I have OCD so no amount of reassurance seems to make any difference. I have an apt with my GP on Monday and have had all the tests you mentioned already. When you mention at 4 weeks for HIV, is that a rushed version that I don't have to wait 3 months to find out the results? I have been tested before and I don't recall it taking that long.
Helpful - 0
300980 tn?1194929400
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You need to be patient.  Your question is being answered.

Your exposure is low risk for HIV as well as for other STDs.  STD symptoms do not appear within 24 of having sex so you can be sure that the red mark you have noted is not an STD, including herpes.

Here are the reasons your risk is low:
1.  It is unlikely that your partner had HIV or any other STD.  Most commercial sex workers do not.
2.  Your exposure was protected until the condom broke and therefore was brief.  There are no studies to help us know how important duration is as a determinant of the probability of infection but common sense tells is that brief exposures are less likely to result in STD or HIV transmission than long ones.
3.  Even if your partner had HIV, the risk of getting HIV from a single exposure is only 1 infection per 1000 exposures.  Thus the risk is very low.  Indeed, most exposures to STD infected partners do not lead to transmission.

What to do.  Get an HIV blood test at 4 weeks.  If it is negative, believe the results – in your situation no further testing is needed.  Also for other STDs, you might wish to repeat the STD tests at some time 3 or more days following your exposure.  With regard to herpes. most HSV lesions appear 4-10 days after exposure although rarely they can take longer.  If you do not see lesions in the 2 weeks following your exposure, I would not worry about this either.

Hope this helps.  EWH
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Really need your perspective. I'm quite worried.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I was hoping my $20 would get me a doctor's advice.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Excuse my ignorance.

I was speaking only from personal experience.  Apparently the incubation period for HSV2 can be much smaller.

I will now bow out and cease from offering any medical advice.  Due apologies.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
You won't notice herpes lesions that quickly.  I believe the incubation period averages something like 25 days.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Oh and I'm uncircumsized. Forgot to mention that. I also took the time to call the woman in question. She laughed at the idea of her being HIV positive and felt bad about my worrying.
Helpful - 0

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