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Concerned about possible HIV exposure
I recently posted this in community forum but worried so wanting some expert advice.
A bit embarrassed to ask this question, but very concerned.
I was with a girl that used a vibrator vaginally, and then partially inserted into my rectum. Total duration a few minutes- as I didn't like it and made her stop. Now I'm concerned about HIV exposure as there may have been vaginal fluid on the vibrator. We didnt have sex so no concerns about intercourse.
Do I need to get tested for HIV?
Thanks in advance.
A bit embarrassed to ask this question, but very concerned.
I was with a girl that used a vibrator vaginally, and then partially inserted into my rectum. Total duration a few minutes- as I didn't like it and made her stop. Now I'm concerned about HIV exposure as there may have been vaginal fluid on the vibrator. We didnt have sex so no concerns about intercourse.
Do I need to get tested for HIV?
Thanks in advance.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
1) Of course. The test is identical no matter who orders it, and I'm sure the technicians have no idea where individual speciemens come from. Indeed, up to a couple of hundred specimens are often tested automatically by robotic systems -- probably it would be impossible to fudge one result without ruining all of them.
2) What would be the motivation for "shenanigans"??? Labs' reputation and business depends on their accuracy and reliability.
2) What would be the motivation for "shenanigans"??? Labs' reputation and business depends on their accuracy and reliability.
That was a great response. One thing that I would like to be clear about;
1)if one uses an online site that used Quest or labcorp,are those results just as reliable as when compared to my own doctor ordering the same tests from either quest/labcorp?
2)no shenanigans goes on(altering reports because of reporting to states requirements) just because these sites have contracts?
Just thought i would clarify.
If I need to submit a fee, I will.
Thank you
1)if one uses an online site that used Quest or labcorp,are those results just as reliable as when compared to my own doctor ordering the same tests from either quest/labcorp?
2)no shenanigans goes on(altering reports because of reporting to states requirements) just because these sites have contracts?
Just thought i would clarify.
If I need to submit a fee, I will.
Thank you
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This is an appropriate comment, and an opportunity for a blog-like reply about online STD/HIV testing, to use in response to future questions. Thanks for bringing it up.
Websites that offer testing for HIV and other STDs (and probably other rmedical conditions as well) are primarily brokers: they do not have their own labs and do no testing themselves. They merely have arrangements with commerical laboratories and share in the fees. Many have contracts with the two largest national laboratories, Quest and Labcorp, which are uniformlhy reliable -- but there are many other reliable labs as well. However, I would urge caution if the lab is unknown or if there are reasons to be suspicious.
For online brokers using reliable laboratories, the main differences between them are in price; the quality of counseling they offer, including guidance for people who aren't sure whether to be tested at all, or who need advice on which specific test(s) to consider; and the risk for a rip-off "panel" that mostly includes unnecessary tests.
Beware of broad STD "panels" that include tests for "everything", including infections that are rarely sexually transmitted (e.g., hepatitis C) or that are sometimes called sexually transmitted or disease causing but really do not, like Ureaplasma urealyticum or Mycoplasma hominis, or tests for trichomonas in men (no accurate tests are commercially available) Also, many common STDs, like HPV, are not included in standard tests. Finally, urine tests for chlamydia or gonorrhea say nothing about possible infection at other anatomic sites, like the rectum or oral cavity. Pay attention to price: a broad panel can be priced at hundreds of dollars, when all someone needs is $50 worth for certain, common STDs and/or HIV. Since counseling often isn't important when a test is expected to be negative, those who are confident what test they want and anticipate negative results often can safely choose the least expensive option they can find.
Returning to the case at hand: an online-brokered duo HIV test would be fine for careful1976. The chance of a positive result is nil. But do pay attention to cost: some online services charge very inflated fees, often more than the total cost of testing plus a doctor or clinic visit.
People at especially high risk of having HIV or another STD should not use an online testing service at all; they should see a doctor or clinic for professional advice in person. This is especially important for people with STD/HIV symtoms and who are quite certain they were exposed, e.g. when a partner tells them s/he is infected. And in general, I recommend avoiding online services because of a single risky exposure, e.g. after sex with a new partner, commercial partner, etc. Online testing is mainly for people at risk in general terms but have no particular suspicion they are infected -- e.g. someone who has had several sex partners and may soon start a new, committed relationship; or who just want to know for certain they are disease free.
A final caveat, for users reading this outside the United States: I have no knowledge about such services in other countries. Do not assume that my comments about reliability, costs, etc apply outside the US.
This undoubtedly is more than you were counting on. But I hope it is useful.
Websites that offer testing for HIV and other STDs (and probably other rmedical conditions as well) are primarily brokers: they do not have their own labs and do no testing themselves. They merely have arrangements with commerical laboratories and share in the fees. Many have contracts with the two largest national laboratories, Quest and Labcorp, which are uniformlhy reliable -- but there are many other reliable labs as well. However, I would urge caution if the lab is unknown or if there are reasons to be suspicious.
For online brokers using reliable laboratories, the main differences between them are in price; the quality of counseling they offer, including guidance for people who aren't sure whether to be tested at all, or who need advice on which specific test(s) to consider; and the risk for a rip-off "panel" that mostly includes unnecessary tests.
Beware of broad STD "panels" that include tests for "everything", including infections that are rarely sexually transmitted (e.g., hepatitis C) or that are sometimes called sexually transmitted or disease causing but really do not, like Ureaplasma urealyticum or Mycoplasma hominis, or tests for trichomonas in men (no accurate tests are commercially available) Also, many common STDs, like HPV, are not included in standard tests. Finally, urine tests for chlamydia or gonorrhea say nothing about possible infection at other anatomic sites, like the rectum or oral cavity. Pay attention to price: a broad panel can be priced at hundreds of dollars, when all someone needs is $50 worth for certain, common STDs and/or HIV. Since counseling often isn't important when a test is expected to be negative, those who are confident what test they want and anticipate negative results often can safely choose the least expensive option they can find.
Returning to the case at hand: an online-brokered duo HIV test would be fine for careful1976. The chance of a positive result is nil. But do pay attention to cost: some online services charge very inflated fees, often more than the total cost of testing plus a doctor or clinic visit.
People at especially high risk of having HIV or another STD should not use an online testing service at all; they should see a doctor or clinic for professional advice in person. This is especially important for people with STD/HIV symtoms and who are quite certain they were exposed, e.g. when a partner tells them s/he is infected. And in general, I recommend avoiding online services because of a single risky exposure, e.g. after sex with a new partner, commercial partner, etc. Online testing is mainly for people at risk in general terms but have no particular suspicion they are infected -- e.g. someone who has had several sex partners and may soon start a new, committed relationship; or who just want to know for certain they are disease free.
A final caveat, for users reading this outside the United States: I have no knowledge about such services in other countries. Do not assume that my comments about reliability, costs, etc apply outside the US.
This undoubtedly is more than you were counting on. But I hope it is useful.
I don't know if allowed, but I know of an online testing site that will order a 4th generation test. Am I allowed to say?
2)generally speaking, are the online sites credible and results to be trusted just as much as results I would receive from my own dr? Granted, the test is the same ordered?
2)generally speaking, are the online sites credible and results to be trusted just as much as results I would receive from my own dr? Granted, the test is the same ordered?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The rapid blood tests are over 95% reliable at 4 weeks; the oral fluids test maybe a little less so. For 100% reliability, don't have a rapid test at all. Visit a clinic or doctor and have a duo test for both HIV antibody and p24 antigen.
Or ask your partner to be tested, as suggested above.
Or ask your partner to be tested, as suggested above.
Thank you for your quick response. Is there a type of rapid test that provides accurate results after a 4 week period?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the forum. I can help.
Any risk from this event is exceedingly low, if any at all. In most population groups of sexually active women in the US, well under 1 in 1,000 have HIV -- mostly it's probably under 1 in 10,000. So the chance your partner had HIV is extremely low. Even if she did, and if the vibrator still had wet vaginal secretions on it, I would put the transmission risk at 1 chance in a few hundred. Taken together, these figures suggest your risk of HIV is no higher than 1 in a million.
Is that chance high enought that you "need to get tested for HIV?" I would say no. But that's strictly from a risk standpoint. From a reassurance standpoint, it may be a good idea. Most people nervous enough to come to this forum with such questions probably will not be fully reassured just on the basis of expert opinion and statistical calculations. So if you'll feel better knowing you have had a negative HIV test, feel free -- once sufficient time has passed for reliable testing (4-8 weeks, depending on the specific test done).
Alternatively, talk to your partner and ask her to be tested; or accompany her to clinic where you both can be tested for HIV and other STDs. If her HIV test is negative, you'll know you were not exposed.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Any risk from this event is exceedingly low, if any at all. In most population groups of sexually active women in the US, well under 1 in 1,000 have HIV -- mostly it's probably under 1 in 10,000. So the chance your partner had HIV is extremely low. Even if she did, and if the vibrator still had wet vaginal secretions on it, I would put the transmission risk at 1 chance in a few hundred. Taken together, these figures suggest your risk of HIV is no higher than 1 in a million.
Is that chance high enought that you "need to get tested for HIV?" I would say no. But that's strictly from a risk standpoint. From a reassurance standpoint, it may be a good idea. Most people nervous enough to come to this forum with such questions probably will not be fully reassured just on the basis of expert opinion and statistical calculations. So if you'll feel better knowing you have had a negative HIV test, feel free -- once sufficient time has passed for reliable testing (4-8 weeks, depending on the specific test done).
Alternatively, talk to your partner and ask her to be tested; or accompany her to clinic where you both can be tested for HIV and other STDs. If her HIV test is negative, you'll know you were not exposed.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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