HIV Exposure??

[needhelp779]

I need help determining my exposure.  I've been reading posts about precum exposure and it has me a nervous wreck..

I am a guy and had contact with another guy 5 days ago.  The guy briefly penetrated my anus..when i say briefly..not even an inch went in before i stopped it..in fact im not even sure that it did actually go in.  I do not believe the guy had any precum, but I can't be sure.  Could my mucous membranes have gotten damaged that easily to where HIV could be transmitted?  Should I be worried?  I will get tested, but since it's only been 5 days I have to wait and the waiting is going to make me crazy.

I thought about getting the DNA PCR test, but it says to wait 28 days after exposure to be sure.  Is this the same as the RNA test?  I also read that San Francisco is giving the RNA tests after 10 days of exposure.  (unfortunately I don't live near San Francisco)

Am I had high risk for HIV if he has it?

Any comments are appreciated.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

There are no data to answer your question.  Receptive anal sex with a man who has sex with other men is the highest risk of all HIV exposures, averaging 1 chance in 100-200 if the top has HIV. But those data assume ejaculation.  Undoubtedly the risk is much lower with brief penetration without ejaculation, but there are no data to judge your risk.

If you know or can find your partner, you can ask him whether he has HIV.  Most people don't lie when asked directly, at least outside the sexual context.  If he says no, testing for you is optional.  If you can't get that information, then the most rational approach is a standard HIV antibody test in about 4 weeks; and if that is negative (as almost certainly it will be), you could have a final test after 8-12 weeks.  The PCR/DNA test has a higher chance of giving you a false positive result than the chance it will diagnose infection accurately this soon after exposure.  (Think what you would go through for a few weeks if you have a false positive result, thinking you have HIV when you do not!)

Of course the main lesson here is that you should not have gotten sexually involved without first asking your partner his HIV status and sharing your own; no gay man should EVER have sex without asking about and sharing HIV status, even when safe sex is planned.  (As you found, plans for safe sex often fall away in the heat of the moment!)  And there is really no excuse for having anal sex with someone of unknown HIV status without a condom.  Follow those rules and you can expect to have an enriched, fulfilling sex life without ever getting HIV.  Fail to follow them, and you should expect to get HIV someday.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[dobber21]

Hi there,
I can understand your anxiety, but it is highly unlikely that you were infected in the manner that you describe. Your exposure was brief. The CDC website says that the RNA test is accurate anytime after 9-11 days post exposure, but I don't think you need to worry. I'd continue with the antibody tests. You stopped before it got too risky; well done.

I'd say you'll be ok:)

[scared_25]

I had one done at 14 days an HIV RNA <75 and it came out negative(nothing found), but I am still worried.  So if you think you will still be worried then do not get it.  I read they have 3% chance of false positive.  And when I got the test back it said on the sheet this is not used to diagnose.  So do not know how much weight it actually holds.  Though the CDC says 9-11 days...

[needhelp779]

One more question.

How long does it take to experience symptoms of HIV?  Would I have symptoms within 5 days?  I'm sure its probably stress, but just wondering.

Thanks!