HIV transmission through HSV-2...regjoey or anyone else

[tg4nrg]

I have just been confirmed of HSV-2 and I am very sure I a received it through my last partner. I just had my ELISA and PRC test done at 45 days and I get the results next week?

My is relates to a Dr. HHH's comment:

"Other things being equal, getting HSV-2 increases the risk of catching HIV 4-fold.  If the HIV risk from a particular event is, say, 1 in 100,000, with herpes it becomes 1 in 25,000.  The main issue in your story is that your exposures were heterosexual, which is pretty low risk unless your partners were commercial sex worker or injection drug users.

The biological reasons for increased HIV risk in herpes or other STDs are complex."

If I acquired HSV from this women would that of been like being exposed to her blood?
Since you study the transmission on a celluar level can you explain the biological reasons in detail?

[Teak]

No, HSV is contract by skin to skin.

[macgyver16]

Like I and teak is always saying that unprotected sex is always a risk, unlike joey who keeps on saying and wont even recommend testing for heterosexual exposure( I dont know where he gets those Idea's and claims to be an expert) Now for your question... Having an infection say like STD's increases the susceptibility of the cells linning the urethra, or the pennis as a whole, these cells tend to be more prone to getting infected with HIV in the prescence of an inflammatory reaction, lets say during the unprotected intercourse and you have an ongoing infection increases the risk of getting infected

[macgyver16]

Dont believe what joey is saying that heterosexual transmission is negligible and won't recommend testing, he contradicts what CDC is saying...

[tg4nrg]

1) I am testing for sure

2) I know HSV is skin to skin, but if I caught HSV from a HIV infected person I am have been esposed to the HIV virus. If I caught one virus(HSV) from this person should I not expect to catch the other(HIV)?

[regularjoey]

From my understanding, HSV comes into the picture of HIV transmission if you ALREADY have it at the time of exposure.  In that case, you would be at higher risk to acquire HIV.  

At the cellular level, there are two contributing factors here: first, herpes sores provide a break in the epithelial barrier that protects you from HIV; second, presence of a genital STD increases the number of immune cells in that area, which are the only targets for HIV (HIV is incapable of infecting any other cell types).

Regardless of this, as Dr.HHH has told you above, heterosexual exposures are pretty low risk for HIV.  And, just like your personal doctor told you, with a five-week negative test you have nothing to worry about in terms of HIV.  I suggest that you put some faith into your doctors, they don't get the big bucks for nothing.

[Teak]

Heterosexual exposures are not at risk only when neither one has HIV.

[tg4nrg]

i am hoping she is not +

[regularjoey]

I don't know your whole story, but if you're in the US and your partner was not a drug-injecting street-walking prostitute, there is almost no chance she is +.  Consider this - in the 25 years of epidemic a 100 000 women have acquired HIV.  Since we have 100 000 000 sexually active women, that is a prevalence of 0.1%.  In other words, one + woman for every 1000.  Add to this that most of those infected are IVDUs, ethnic minorities, homeless etc.  So if your partner was "white middle-class", prevalence there is more like 1 in every 10 000.  My point is take your test, but don't lose any sleep over it, there is no realistic chance you were even exposed to HIV.

Now compare this with the catastrophic situation in the gay community:  over 500 000 thousand infected people out of 5 000 000 gay men (the numbers are approximate).  That's a 10% prevalence!!!  And these numbers include the many gay men that don't take any risks at all.  So if a gay man has an unprotected encounter with a guy he just met on the net or in the bar, there is probably close to a 25% chance that the other guy has it.  That's playing with fire.....

[regularjoey]

Please everyone, don't get any ideas that I am advocating against safe sex.  One should always practice safe sex.  But it's not worth it losing your sleep over a single mistake or two.  Get your regular HIV tests with your physical and stay safe.

[tg4nrg]

well here is my situation

I had sex with an older women. She is an 42 yr old latin american women, and we had unprotected sex four times. I know this was wrong and I even had condoms in my damn dresser, but I do not put one on. I always do and I just did not this time. and I thought since I did not use one before there was no sense to use one late. I now know this was wrong. She is not a street hooker, but she is a bit premiscuous. I was speaking to her about her HIV and std situation and she said she was tested last year and was negative. I have come to find out in later conversation that she once tested HIV
+ with the Oral Swab, but it was a false positve and she has tested negative several times since then. This make me worry because I have come to find out she is bipolar and is quite stupid. I have test negative at 5 weeks from last exposure and I just took a ELISA and PCR at 45 days and I get the results next Thursday. I have had symptoms (I know we do not diagnosed symptoms) for the last month: headache, bitter tastse in mouth with whiteish tounge, shooting pains and swelling of lympth nodes, sore throat, and fatigue. I

[o_g]

How do you know that you acquired herpes. Did a dermatologist or STI expert examine your penis with live sores or did you get a blood test done. If you have gotten no such thing done, then do not jump to any conclusion.
I acquired herpes from the same exposure that scared me for HIV. Acquiring herpes does increase chances of simultaneous acquasition of HIV if the other party is infected.
I wish you the best.

Also other forum users, pls let me know what you think of below:

Acquasition of herpes from 1 times unprotected sex does throw all the optimistic # game out of the window. Look at the calculations

factors: uncircumcised male - double the risk - 1/1000
acquiring herpes increases chances 4 folds: 4x

Total acquasition chances from 1 exposure: 1/250
6 weeks test negative: 95% confidence ratio

After 6 weeks negative a person's chance of having HIV is : 1/5000
After 12 weeks negative, a person's chance of having HIV is: 1/25000

Do you think that if a person acquires herpes from an exposure, it is essential for him to test longer because not many ppl are comfortable with 1/25000 figure.

I am just looking for an opinion. Hopefully, I am clear in my illustration above.

[tg4nrg]

I also have had blood tests with a low white blood cell count and elevated liver enzymes. All of these together have made me worry a lot.  

[o_g]

I had similar issues with high neutrophils and low lymphocytes and a bit high liver enzymes. Mine was a condom break for 15 seconds. It doesn't take much for life to change!!!

[tg4nrg]

Finally, there is no particular reason to be concerned about HIV, assuming your partner isn't an injection drug user or otherwise known to be at high risk for HIV.  On the other hand, the risk of HIV is expecially high if someone catches herpes from someone who happens to have HIV.  If your HIV test was 6 or more weeks after your unprotected exposure, you're home free.  If not, repeat testing might be a good idea--although don't mean to alarm you; the actual risk is low.

I hope this helps.  Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[regularjoey]

o_g, in my opinion, your calculation is not right, because you are assuming that your partner is infected, and that is in fact highly unlikely.  You are definitely HIV negative, and your exposure was truly minimal risk.  I've never heard of anyone acquiring HIV after 15 seconds of vaginal sex!

tg4nrg, I don't know what else I can tell you, since you have already tested.  Definitely expect a negative from your tests, and once you get the test results, TRUST THEM.  If you can't, get help from a mental health professional.

I gotta run fellas, take care