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HIV and Labrynthitis
Hi Doctors.
On 27th September I contacted a lady who advertised online as an escort. She was white British. We had condom protected vaginal sex & she gave me protected oral sex. She wouldnt allow kissing. My concerns are from me giving her unprotected cunnilingus.
The cunnilingus went on for 5-10 minutes, I used my tongue on her clitoral area & vaginal lips, I also 'kissed' her clitoris & vaginal lips. To my memory I didnt insert my tongue into her vagina nor did she ejaculate, orgasm, or feel particularly wet in that area.
Two weeks after I got a 'rash' on the sides of my trunk area & also on my back and front. The rash was like small red pimples or spots that would bleed if I scratched at them but were not itchy. I probably had 4 or 5 of these spots on either side of my trunk, 3 or 4 on my chest and 8-10 on my back. This lasted about 7-10 days. At this time I had no other obvious symptoms.
I have since looked at ARS HIV rash pictures online & they look similar to what I had but mine were not widespread just small clusters.
8 Weeks after I began to experience lightheaded, unbalanced & dizzy spells that would range in severity, sometimes it would make me feel nauseous, and sometimes make me lose my appetite.
Last week I went to my GP and told him about these latest symptoms (but did not mention my HIV worries). He said it sounds like I had an inner ear disorder called Labrynthitis and asked if I had recently been ill as it's usually triggered by a viral infection. My GP looked puzzled when I said I had no recent illness and could not further explain why I should have Labrynthitis.
When I got home I search to find out more and discovered that HIV infection can trigger Labrynthitis.
So my questions are:
1) What is the risk of HIV transmission from what I described?
2) Does my rash sound typical of ARS or is there always other symptoms and is it more widespread?
3) Is Labrynthitis triggered by HIV infection
4) Would this warrant a HIV test?
On 27th September I contacted a lady who advertised online as an escort. She was white British. We had condom protected vaginal sex & she gave me protected oral sex. She wouldnt allow kissing. My concerns are from me giving her unprotected cunnilingus.
The cunnilingus went on for 5-10 minutes, I used my tongue on her clitoral area & vaginal lips, I also 'kissed' her clitoris & vaginal lips. To my memory I didnt insert my tongue into her vagina nor did she ejaculate, orgasm, or feel particularly wet in that area.
Two weeks after I got a 'rash' on the sides of my trunk area & also on my back and front. The rash was like small red pimples or spots that would bleed if I scratched at them but were not itchy. I probably had 4 or 5 of these spots on either side of my trunk, 3 or 4 on my chest and 8-10 on my back. This lasted about 7-10 days. At this time I had no other obvious symptoms.
I have since looked at ARS HIV rash pictures online & they look similar to what I had but mine were not widespread just small clusters.
8 Weeks after I began to experience lightheaded, unbalanced & dizzy spells that would range in severity, sometimes it would make me feel nauseous, and sometimes make me lose my appetite.
Last week I went to my GP and told him about these latest symptoms (but did not mention my HIV worries). He said it sounds like I had an inner ear disorder called Labrynthitis and asked if I had recently been ill as it's usually triggered by a viral infection. My GP looked puzzled when I said I had no recent illness and could not further explain why I should have Labrynthitis.
When I got home I search to find out more and discovered that HIV infection can trigger Labrynthitis.
So my questions are:
1) What is the risk of HIV transmission from what I described?
2) Does my rash sound typical of ARS or is there always other symptoms and is it more widespread?
3) Is Labrynthitis triggered by HIV infection
4) Would this warrant a HIV test?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Glad I could help. Tahaks for the follow-up
Take care.EWH
Take care.EWH
Hi Doctor,
on the 13th December I had my blood tests done. Today I got my results and everything was negative.
Many thanks for your advice. Merry Christmas and I hope you have a happy New Year!
on the 13th December I had my blood tests done. Today I got my results and everything was negative.
Many thanks for your advice. Merry Christmas and I hope you have a happy New Year!
Ok, I will do. Whilst I await my results ould you kindly answer a question?) - The rash of single small pimples that I had 2 weeks after my encounter has begun to return now at 12 weeks - would that be typical of a HIV related symptom or does it reinforce your belief that the rash has nothing to do with HIV?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You may post your test results. I am confident they will show that you did not get HIV from the exposure you described. EWH
Would you be interested in seeing my test results once I get them?
Hi Doctor, just to let you know I am going for a full sexual health check this week including HIV testing. Would you be interested in me posting my results here for you?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This will be your final response to your anxiety laden, argumentative thread.
Our knowledge evolves with time, thats the way science works. Some of the statements you quote may be older statements. Perfomance of fellatio is known to rarely (one in 10,000 or less) lead to acquistion of HIV. There is a single case I have heard of in which a person may have gotten HIV from performance of cunnilingus on an infected partner. There are no known cases in which reciept of oral sex has led to HIV.
time for you to get your out of control anxiety under control and move forward.
Further questions will be deleted without comment. EWH
Our knowledge evolves with time, thats the way science works. Some of the statements you quote may be older statements. Perfomance of fellatio is known to rarely (one in 10,000 or less) lead to acquistion of HIV. There is a single case I have heard of in which a person may have gotten HIV from performance of cunnilingus on an infected partner. There are no known cases in which reciept of oral sex has led to HIV.
time for you to get your out of control anxiety under control and move forward.
Further questions will be deleted without comment. EWH
But doctor, in these quotes attributed to yourself you seem to contradict what you have said above...
"As far as HIV is concerned, there is no known risk of getting HIV from performing oral sex on an infected partner, even if that person's genital secretions get into your eyes or if you swallow." Dr.Hook HIV is not spread by oral sex, giving or receiving, even if sores, gum disease or blood is present DR HOOK The fact is that there are no cases in which HIV has been proven to be transmitted by oral sex, including fellatio.. EWH
"As far as HIV is concerned, there is no known risk of getting HIV from performing oral sex on an infected partner, even if that person's genital secretions get into your eyes or if you swallow." Dr.Hook HIV is not spread by oral sex, giving or receiving, even if sores, gum disease or blood is present DR HOOK The fact is that there are no cases in which HIV has been proven to be transmitted by oral sex, including fellatio.. EWH
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
I also have read about someone who was struck by a meteor was falling from space. It is the exception that proves the rule. If you are worried about getting HIV from the exposure you describe, I also suggest you stay inside to avoid being struck by a meteor. Personally however, this is not something I would worry about. If you do, you have my sympathy. EWH
But surely the fact that you have read about one transmission by giving cunnilingus without any extenuating circumstances (co-infection, open wounds to mouth etc) shows that it can & does happen & that would contradict the advice you have given me & others? How can you say I should have no HIV worries but then also say that you've read about a case where it has happened?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Not that were clear. It is time for you to get over this and move forward. Your anxiety and perhaps guilt is getting the best of you. EWH
Sorry doctor I didnt mean to sound impatient. You say you have read about one case of HIV transmission by performing Cunnilingus - were there extenuating circumstances that allowed transmission to take place in that situation?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
You need to be patient. The Forum is not manned 24/7. many Medhelp Experts do not provide any follow-up- we get to them as we can.
The 1 in 10,000 estimate is a conservative one. There is only a single report that I have ever heard of or seen of HIV being acquired through cunnilingus. Mathematically, there is little difference between estimates that 1 in 10,000 and 1 in 100,000 exposures to infected partners (unlikely in your situation) lead to infection. You are far, far more likely to be struck by lightning than to get HIV for this exposure.
There is no reason for you not to have unprotected sex with your wife. EWH
The 1 in 10,000 estimate is a conservative one. There is only a single report that I have ever heard of or seen of HIV being acquired through cunnilingus. Mathematically, there is little difference between estimates that 1 in 10,000 and 1 in 100,000 exposures to infected partners (unlikely in your situation) lead to infection. You are far, far more likely to be struck by lightning than to get HIV for this exposure.
There is no reason for you not to have unprotected sex with your wife. EWH
Hi Dr Hook, I would really appreciate it if you would answer my above post in reply to clarify your initial answer.
Thank you for you reply doctor.
If you can just clarify, you say the exposure was very very low risk, I have seen other doctors on this forum quote cunnilingus as no risk?
Also I have seen your figure of 1 in 10,000 quoted for giving fellatio and would have assumed the risk for Cunnilingus if anything would be less than fellatio?
My wife is currently wanting to try for a baby but I have been putting off having unprotected sex with her due to my HIV concerns from this incident. Given what I have told you do you think I should put these concerns behind me and begin having unprotected sex with my wife?
If you can just clarify, you say the exposure was very very low risk, I have seen other doctors on this forum quote cunnilingus as no risk?
Also I have seen your figure of 1 in 10,000 quoted for giving fellatio and would have assumed the risk for Cunnilingus if anything would be less than fellatio?
My wife is currently wanting to try for a baby but I have been putting off having unprotected sex with her due to my HIV concerns from this incident. Given what I have told you do you think I should put these concerns behind me and begin having unprotected sex with my wife?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the Forum. I'll be happy to comment. The encounter you describe was very, very low risk for any STI, including HIV. Few commercial sex workers have HIV and it sounds like your partner took precautions to make sure that she was not infected. Your only unprotected exposure was your performance of oral sex on her and the risk for HIV, IF she were infected is no greater than 1 infection, on average, per 10,000 exposures and probably lower. In general, we do not feel that this is a high risk activity and do not feel strongly that HIV testing is crucial following exposures of the sort you describe.
In answer to your specific questions:
1) What is the risk of HIV transmission from what I described?
See below- tiny. Less than in a million, mathematically given the nature of the exposure and the low rate of HIV among CSWs.
2) Does my rash sound typical of ARS or is there always other symptoms and is it more widespread?
The rash of HIV is typically accompanied by other symptoms including high fever and muscle aches. Your rash does not sound typical of HIV.
3) Is Labrynthitis triggered by HIV infection
No, labyrinthitis is common following community acquired respiratory infections of the sort most people get from time to time but I have never heard of it as associated with HIV.
4) Would this warrant a HIV test?
This is a personal choice. From your description I see little reason to worry about HIV and nothing you have mentioned suggest that HIV is a likelihood for you.
I hope this comment is helpful. EWH
In answer to your specific questions:
1) What is the risk of HIV transmission from what I described?
See below- tiny. Less than in a million, mathematically given the nature of the exposure and the low rate of HIV among CSWs.
2) Does my rash sound typical of ARS or is there always other symptoms and is it more widespread?
The rash of HIV is typically accompanied by other symptoms including high fever and muscle aches. Your rash does not sound typical of HIV.
3) Is Labrynthitis triggered by HIV infection
No, labyrinthitis is common following community acquired respiratory infections of the sort most people get from time to time but I have never heard of it as associated with HIV.
4) Would this warrant a HIV test?
This is a personal choice. From your description I see little reason to worry about HIV and nothing you have mentioned suggest that HIV is a likelihood for you.
I hope this comment is helpful. EWH
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