HIV and soar throat

Hi, approximately 4 days ago I had oral and anal sex with a man.  The sex was unprotected, although he did ejaculate in or near any orifice.  His pre-ejaculate was clear.  About 24 hours later I began to develop a soar throat which still remains. The very back of my throat is red and blanched. I am experiencing no other symptoms, but I am concerned about HIV infection.  To say again, there was absolutely no contact between his semen, and any open wounds or mucus membranes, it was entirely on skin.  Thanks for your help.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.

Acute HIV symptoms typcially start 10-20 days after exposure and cannot begin sooner than 7 days.  Something else is the cause of your sore throat.

You don't say your sex but the context suggests you are also male.  If so, you are playing with fire.  You had unprotected anal sex with a partner whose HIV status you do not know.  Continue to do this and you can plan on catching HIV someday.  Any anal penetration can transmit HIV; simply avoiding intra-rectal ejaculation does not prevent transmisison.

If you are a woman, your risk of HIV in the future is lower.  But whether male or female, it would be wise for you to start asking your partners about HIV status and using condoms for sex with new partners -- and avoiding sex entirely with those who are positive, don't know, or seem evasive in responding to your questions about it.  

Because of the nature of the exposure (but not because of your sore throat), you should be tested for HIV in a few weeks.  See a health care provider for personal evaluation and guidance about specific tests and their timing.  But you can be sure the sore throat is not due to HIV.

Regards--  HHH, MD