Extremely Worried..

[WorriedInLondon]

Firstly, thank you to all those in the community who give some needed perspective for those of us who might otherwise worry ourselves sick by constant Googling through the day i.e through confirmation bias.

Now, let me start this off by saying that I have experienced some REAL exposure. I know this because the person tested in front of me and they showed positive confirming my suspicions.

It was a masseuse and one thing led to another and we got a bit intimate. The exposures were:

1) She rubbed my penis on the outside of her panties. It did feel a bit wet.

2) She kissed my penis twice. It wasn't until she turned on the lights that I noticed cold sores and an open wound with blood on the corner of her mouth.

Naturally I was distraught, but knew PEP was an option. Unfortunately I delayed a bit too long when every fibre of my intuition was telling me to take it. The act happened Monday at around 2pm. She delayed for 2 days before finally taking the test yesterday. I quickly rushed to get PEP which I took on Thursday at 10am. I regret not taking it sooner.

I have promised never to expose myself in such a way again and I am struggling psychologically because I have someone at home. I just pray all turns out negative after the 30 days because there is not much else I can do at this point.

This post is in part me venting (I cried to the doctor and nurse I saw who comforted me), because it was an awful mistake and I am usually very careful. In another a part, it's to know whether I delayed in taking PEP. I have seen that while the window in 72hrs, it works best within 36hrs.

Thanks in advance everyone.

[Sara_MHModerator]

Your question was fully answered.

***Thread closed***

[GuitarRox]

Have you posted here before?  You did not need pep and can't believe a doctor actually gave that to you. PEP is NOT the least bit indicated in your situation. The only risks for HIV are to have unprotected vaginal or anal sex or to share IV needles to inject drugs. I bet you've heard this before from us . . . AIR and SALIVA inactivate the virus. There was ZERO risk of HIV from your exposure. Stop pep.  Like now.  It's a pretty toxic drug.  And you'll have side effects for no reason.  Trust me, if you were crying in their office over this exposure, ,they only gave you pep to get you out of their office. You do not need it. You had no risk of actually acquiring HIV. If you get this nervous on a regular basis, I would seek help with anxiety.

[WorriedInLondon]

Thanks for the response. The real worry for me was the possible direct contact of her blood with the opening of my penis. Also, she did the rapid test from her finger, which is also exposed to air, so don't really understand the mechanism behind it (not a science person).

Lastly, they pescribed PEP because I am currently in a country with more lax health laws.

[GuitarRox]

No, they prescribed pep to have a crying anxious person leave their office OR they are uneducated. You had no risk for HIV.  There is nothing more to add to that. Even if she DID have HIV?  You were not at risk. You can not touch or use a finger to give you hiv or whatever other scenarios your anxious brain is trying to make up.  Risks---  vaginal or anal intercourse with penetration and no condom OR sharing IV needles to inject drugs.  THAT is it.  

[CurfewX]

Blood being exposed to air does not have anything to do with the HIV test. Air causes the virus itself to become unstable, rendering it unable to infect, but it DOES NOT inactivate the antigens or antibodies, which is what the test looks for.

You didn't have a risk for HIV.  Methods of transmission are well-known and well-documented.

[WorriedInLondon]

Thanks. Last question and I will be out of your hair. I was more concerned about the possible direct contact of her open wound to the opening of my urethra (head of penis), especially if she is highly virulent. Most doctors online says the increases the risk of transmission, but with confidence, which I appreciate, you say there is no risk. Clarification would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.