Need Help with a recent exposure to HIV

[anonymous008]

I am a 28 year old male from India. I recently had sex with a vietnamese sex worker in Malaysia on 08th May'2009. We did kiss tongue involved but i do not remeber having any sores in my mouth. While having sex my condom slipped. but I did not come into her. I was inside her for about 3 to 4 min max. When I pulled out my condom was hanging from the tip with the front of penis covered. Though the outer skin which covers was exposed. I do not know her status for HIV. I gotta a HIV ag/ab combo test done at 7 days 20 days and 25 days. They have all come out to be negative. But I have had a unexplained sore throat since 26th May and which still continues. Infact last night I could sleep all night and I could feel my body temperature kept on going up and down. I had a feeling of some sweat as well, alongwith pain in my left hand. Last week I had also developed a infection where in i was feeling a burning sensation on my penis which went away in three days. I had very very mild like fever feeling as well during the last week. I am in India and doctors hear do not have much expertise on HIV I have consulted a few and all of them say come after 3 months. The anxiety is killing me and I do not know what to do. Do these symptoms suggest HIV?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the HIV forum.

You have no legitimate HIV worries here.  First, you don't know your partner has HIV; most commercial sex workers are not infected.  Second, even with unprotected sex, the chance of female to male transmission is around 1 in 2,000 for each episode of unprotected vaginal sex.  Third, if the head of your penis was covered by the condom, protection was complete.  Finally, at 20 and 25 days after exposure, a negative HIV combo test -- i.e. both antibody and p24 antigen -- is virtually 100% proof against a new HIV infection.  Considering all these factors, it is virtually impossible that you have HIV.

Your symptoms do not suggest HIV, not in the slightest.

You should follow your own doctors' advice.  If they suggest a final test at 3 months, do it.  You can expect negative results.

Good luck---  HHH, MD

[anonymous008]

Thankyou Dr HHH and I really appreciate the guidance you are offering through this medium. I hope all falls in place as you mentioned

Rgrds

[anonymous008]

Dear Doctor

I am now begining to have swalloen up lymphs in my body. I know you have rulled out the possibilty of HIV. But I thought I would just clarify . I am also having gastro troubles. and the Sore thorat is still persistant. I gotta a 28 days HIV combo check done as well, which came out to be negative. I have noticed a lumps in my arm pits and swolling in my neck. Can you pleas advice

Rgrds

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

My advice is the same:  The test results show you do not have HIV.  Work with your own doctor to learn the cause of your symptoms.  I have no further comments.

[anonymous008]

Dear Dr HHH

I am sorry to be bothering you again with my problem but I have visited 3 doctors in past 1 week. The stand the doctors take here in India if one has experienced a HIV exposure is that they will only comment after the 3 month test and do not conclude anything on the interim symptoms. I would really really appreciate your support on this last post of mine as I have nobody to approach for this.
- As you mentioned protection was complete if the condom was covering the head. I would like to highlight it was only covering half of the head. Will the results remain same?
- A 20 , 25 and 28 day HIV combo test, is this considered conclusive. Even though I might be showing symptoms. Is there any possibility that this may turn Positive in week 5,6,7,8?
- My soar throat is better now, and my mouth ulcer as well. Though past 1 day I have developed swollen up lymphs under my jaw and under my arm pits. I complete 1 month of exposure today, is it possible to have symptoms now. Or can this be a result of some other disease or infecion (infection).
- As I mentioned at 19 20 days I developed a burning sensation on the tip of my penis and pain in my bladder and stomach which got fine in two days but left the soar throat and mouth ulcer behind and a very strange feeling in my mouth for these two weeks and now when all this is getting better I am having swollen lymphs. Seems the trouble doesnt end.
I would really really really appreciate your last thoughts on this so I can put myself together and take next steps.
Rgrds

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The additional information does not change my opinion or advice.  An onine forum is not a substitute for professional health care.  Please do not post any further comments (and do not start a new thread).

[anonymous008]

doc atleast give some reaction to my queries .. swelling in neck arm pits and groin.. and will the results stay negative in week 5 6 7 8

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Almost certainly you don't have HIV.  Do not have tests at 5, 6, 7, and 8 weeks.  Have a single additional test at 6-8 weeks and, if you wish, at 3 months. All of them willl be negative.

This thread is definitely over.  You may not continue to post every anxiety-driven additional question that come to mind.  One more and I will delete the entire thread.

[anonymous008]

Dear Dr HHH

The 35 day test was negative for HIV combo.

Rgrds

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You're the only one surprised by that result.  You need not post any further results.

[anonymous008]

Dear Doc , I am very sorry to be writting to you once again. I got my 47day HIV Combo test today which was negative, though. I also got a CBC done and I have been diagnosed of Relative lymphocytosis. My Lymphocytes are at 41.10% and the range is 20-40. Past two weeks I have had excessive itching all over my body as well. Can you please provide your comments on this situation. Is it possible that a 47 day negative may become a positive( almost 7 weeks) ? What does this relative lymphocytosis mean in HIV ?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The normal lymphocyte count is approximate and 41% is nothing to worry about; and itching does not suggest HIV.  The HIV test results prove you are not infected.  If you remain concerned, talk to your health care provider, but please do not post anything more on this thread.

[anonymous008]

Dear Doc, I am posting here only for the reason that inspite of me trying to get help from Doctors in India regarding HIV, I am unable to. The information available here is still very very scare. I promise this is my last question to you as I said earlier for the one you deleted. In your opinion do I require any further testing as I am have negative at almost 7 weeks and the lymphocyte % has kind of gone up. I am hoping for your final reply to this

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Sigh.  The forum moderators don't expect much of the questioners.  But we do expect them to read and pay attention to our replies.

It is not possible to have HIV with a negative combo test at 47 days.  A little common sense plus my replies above make it clear that no other testing is needed.

If you post anything else the entire thread will be deleted.