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HIV Prevention (Expert Forum)
High risk behaviour and symptoms
by afraid_3, Feb 09, 2007 12:00AM
I am a 26 year old male.I have never had any form of sex before this. Two weeks ago, I was involved in an encounter with a guy in the toilet through a glory hole in the university. I thought he was only doing oral. But I found out all of a sudden, totally shocked, that he was actually riding his *** on my penis. Needless to say, I pulled out immediately. There was a lot of slimy liquid on the penis. The other mistake I made was not washing it immediately. I did it after I got home after about half an hour. Also, I have foreskin which makes it so much more dangerous, and from what I've read, as much as having receptive anal sex!!Its now two weeks since that happened.
No signs of malaise or fever yet. But I've had a dripping throat (there were two terrible persistent flu events before this incident-about a month ago, and the cold here does not help). The sore throat is not painful or indicative of the flu symptoms (its the usual permanent one, and its very cold here). Three days ago, I had painful lesions in the cheek, most of which had dissapeared by yesterday. There is one lesion now, which is painless. My tongue does not show white patches.
Yesterday night, I had absently scratched my arm area between the upper and lower limb. That has caused inflammation and a small pink rash. Today morning, the rash still exists and there also seems to be another not yet formed rash.
I am very worried about this and need advice. When should I get tested? What do you make of my symptoms. I must emphasize that there is no fever or weakness or lymph node swelling or pain.
No signs of malaise or fever yet. But I've had a dripping throat (there were two terrible persistent flu events before this incident-about a month ago, and the cold here does not help). The sore throat is not painful or indicative of the flu symptoms (its the usual permanent one, and its very cold here). Three days ago, I had painful lesions in the cheek, most of which had dissapeared by yesterday. There is one lesion now, which is painless. My tongue does not show white patches.
Yesterday night, I had absently scratched my arm area between the upper and lower limb. That has caused inflammation and a small pink rash. Today morning, the rash still exists and there also seems to be another not yet formed rash.
I am very worried about this and need advice. When should I get tested? What do you make of my symptoms. I must emphasize that there is no fever or weakness or lymph node swelling or pain.
Doctor's Answer
by H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D., Feb 09, 2007 12:00AM
, Feb 09, 2007 12:00AM
This indeed was a high risk exposure, especially if there was actual anal pentration. That seems a little unclear, but the 'slimy liquid' suggests it. Still, the chance of catching HIV, if your anonymous partner had HIV, approximates 1 in 500. On average, being uncircumcized doubles the risk--so your 'so much more dangerous' statement translates to well under a 1% chance you were infected. And you don't know that the guy is HIV positive. So on balance, the odds are very strongly in your favor.
Your symptoms don't suggest HIV. Their presence is irrelevant to assessing your risk. Because of the exposure, not the symptoms, you need HIV testing. I suggest an initial test about 4 weeks after the event; by that time, more than 90% of infected people have positive tests, so a negative result will be highly reassuring. You should then have a second test 6-8 weeks after the event. Most authorities still say 3 months, but with modern testing, it really isn't necessary. But you will get advice to that effect, which probably will be anxiety-producing--- so you may as well wait until then for your second test.
In the meantime, try to relax. The odds really are strongly in your favor. But let this be a teaching experience. Safe sex doesn't always go as planned; and when it doesn't, it generally is less safe than originally expected. NEVER have sex with another guy, oral or anal in either direction, without asking and sharing HIV status; and never have anal sex without a condom. If you follow these guidelines, you'll probably never get HIV. If you don't, the odds are strong you will get it someday.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
Your symptoms don't suggest HIV. Their presence is irrelevant to assessing your risk. Because of the exposure, not the symptoms, you need HIV testing. I suggest an initial test about 4 weeks after the event; by that time, more than 90% of infected people have positive tests, so a negative result will be highly reassuring. You should then have a second test 6-8 weeks after the event. Most authorities still say 3 months, but with modern testing, it really isn't necessary. But you will get advice to that effect, which probably will be anxiety-producing--- so you may as well wait until then for your second test.
In the meantime, try to relax. The odds really are strongly in your favor. But let this be a teaching experience. Safe sex doesn't always go as planned; and when it doesn't, it generally is less safe than originally expected. NEVER have sex with another guy, oral or anal in either direction, without asking and sharing HIV status; and never have anal sex without a condom. If you follow these guidelines, you'll probably never get HIV. If you don't, the odds are strong you will get it someday.
Good luck-- HHH, MD
In any case, your chances of contracting HIV from this are really quite low; Dr. Handsfield pointed out it's less than a 1% chance. I'd say those are pretty darn good odds. I really wouldn't worry about your symptoms while you're waiting to get tested--they mean nothing, and all you'll end up doing is making yourself crazy :-)