I´m Crazy!!!

Hi Doc,

I´m from São Paulo, Brazil. Sorry for my bad English. I am heterosexual, male, 35 yo, non drug-user. Throughout my life I had sex with only 03 women without a condom because i have fear of hiv, a lot.

My last hiv test was past October, wich came negative. Since then i only masturbate myself and my girlfriend, without penetration (some frottage).

But on Monday I went with my friend in a high level strip club here in SP. I did not have sex (oral, vaginal or anal)with anyone. I just talked to some girls and drank a few drinks (I got a bit drunk). I went to the bathroom a few times too. While there I was dressed all the time.

I don´t know why (maybe guilt?), I think in HIV transmission all the time. I can not think of anything else, only HIV.

Contamination is possible without sex? I would like some guidance in this direction, even though I'm going crazy.


Tks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.  Your English is fine.

Your apparent obsession with HIV is primarily an emotional/psychological problem.  You seem to understand that you aren't really at risk for HIV from the events you describe.  HIV is sexually transmitted only by unprotected penetrating sex, never by frottage, hand-genital contact, etc.  And of course HIV cannot be transmitted simply by talking with strippers or using the toilet in a strip club.

But you know these things, and I doubt my confirming what you already know is going to relieve your anxiety.  This sounds like a severe problem and I think you would benefit from professional psychological or psychiatric evaluation.  This doesn't mean you are crazy -- but I doubt you will get past these unreasonable fears without professional help.  I suggest it out of compassion, not criticism.

Good luck and happy new year--  HHH, MD

[Brazilian01]

Tks Doctor.

I think you are correct.

Rationally I'm pretty sure that I had no sexual relationship, with or without a condom during the time I was at the strip club. But there is one side of me that insists on putting me on unrealistic scenarios with risk situations.

Have an appointment with a psychiatrist next week to discuss that issue.

In order to have more confidence, I spoke with the manager of the strip club and he assured me that all girls are regularly tested for all STDs. Although I have not had sex, this information makes me more comfortable.

I know it would be a unique case to be infected without having sex, just to talk or use the bathroom of a strip club. Knowing the ways of transmission, I feel even one ignorant to write on this scenario, but this can not help my fear.

Thank you for supporting me, even telling me what I already knew. I'll always remember that HIV is a virus difficult to transmit, and no sex or injecting drugs, it is impossible to be contaminated.

Thanks anyway.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Good luck and happy new year.

[Brazilian01]

Doctor,

Do you know how reliable is a DUO TEST after 15 days? I will test after 28 days, but i want reduce my anxiety. I will test tomorrow at 15 days. I will post the result.

Tks.

[Brazilian01]

Doctor,

I just got my exam results after 15 days (DUO TEST)

HIV1: (recombinant and synthetic peptide)
HIV2: (synthetic peptide)
Monoclonal antibody against p24 antigen

NEGATIVE.

Dr Jose says that after 15 days reliability is around 90%. Do you agree?

Thank you.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

90% sounds about right.