Out of my stupidity...

[yen123]

Dear Doctors,


I am a married man with 2 kids. My 2nd child is still breast feeding. Anyways, what happned to me was this:

After we had a party with my friends, out of my stupidity, I decided to get a prostitute to hang around with. I never intended to have any sexual act with her except for giving me a back massage. When we arrived at my apartment things got out of control. She gave me a ******** (fellatio - is that it?) for about 3-5 mins. max. then I got back to my senses - that it was terribly wrong because the oral sex was unprotected (slight precum was already present at the tip of my penis). I got up, let the prositute-girl leave. Afterwhich, I wash my penis off with soap and water rightaway. At exactly 8 weeks later I got my self tested with HIV antibodies (for HIV 1 and 2) and it all came back negative.

I'm already confident with the result because I have been reading your forum very often. But, lately on the 10th week I developed a little Herpez Zoster boil on my left arm. It lasted for about 7 days and it had a an area of about 1 square inch max. My left arm was numb at that time.

About 4-5 months ago I had Herpes Zoster on my back and it was painful. In short, I have Shingles twice. Now, I feel really guilty for my family. I have wife and two sons. My youngest son is still breast feeding. This situation really freaks me out because of what I have done to them.. I am so stupid.. I vowed to never do this again.. Right now I feel sick. I have an intermittent aching joints (particularly my shoulders and knee joints), tired body, aching muscles... I don't know what is happening to me already... I'm so disgusted with my self.


My questions are:

1. Do I need re-testing?

2. Is it okay to sleep with my wife?

3. Are my two children at great risk?

4. Is still there future for my family and me?

5. Should I forget this matter and move on?



Please Help Me.


Thank you very much and God Bless.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your only exposure to the commercial sex worker you mention was receipt of oral sex.  The quoted figure for HIV risk, if one has oral sex from an infected partner (and chances are she was not HIV infected) is less than 1 in 10,000 and, in my estimation that is too high. Some experts state there is no risk at all from oral sex.  Neither of us on this site have ever seen or reading the medical literature of a convincing instance in which HIV was passed by oral sex.  You negative HIV test at 8 weeks post-exposure, at a time when the test would be expected to detect over 98% of HIV infections acquired 8 weeks earlier only  confirms that you did not get HIV from your mis-step.  

Before the event that you mention you had an episode of herpes zoster and now you have what you believe is a recurrence.  I presume that both episodes have occurred on the same side of your body.  With respect to what you state is recurrent zoster, with all due respect, I would question as to whether you are sure of this or not?  Has your doctor taken a look?   Are you on therapy?  Was a culture taken?  If the lesion is a single boil-like lesion it may or may not be zoster and before you get concerned, I urge you to make sure that it what it is.  many things can cause boil-like rashes.

If it is a second episode of zoster, even then, this is not of major concern.  Many people have more than one episode of zoster.  There is NO reason to think that, if you have recurrent shingles, it is related to your encounter with the commercial sex worker.   BTW, just to be sure, I do presume your children have received their varicella zoster vaccine - they have, haven't they.

Now, as for your questions:

1.  No, there is no medical reason for a re-test based on your story.  If you wish to do so for your own mental health, that is your call but I am confident the result will again be negative.
2.  Yes
3.  See above.  there is no HIV risk.  As for your zoster, not as long as they received the zoster vaccine recommended for all kids.  
4.  Of course there is
5.  That is what I would encourage you to do.  If the memory of your indiscretion is weighing on you heavily, then I would suggest you consider talking with a mental health counselor to help you work through things.  This is not a sign of weakness but a way to help yourself and your family.

Hope this helps.  EWH

[yen123]

Doctor,

1. There was no culture taken.
2. Yes I went to a doctor and the doctor told me to take acyclovir..
3. The doctor told me it was due to emotional upset and nothing else. I already told her my story.
4. I didn't take the medication the doctor prescribe me for my shingles.
5. The shingles just went away wiithout medication. Yes, my sons are vaccinated.

Please assess. Thank you.

[yen123]

Doctor,

My apologies. The above information was address to you. I happen to mis-type Dr. Hansfield inadvertently. My mistake.

Anyways, either one of you great Doctors can answer. Please assess. Thank you.


God Bless.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No change in my assessment of your risk - still very low and likely unrelated to your recurrent shingles, if indeed that is what it was.  EWH

[yen123]

Thank you.

I really hope I'm fine. Though, the CDC encourages 6 months post test, I hope my 8 weeks post test is enough. But then again, I may have to retest 6 months after my encounter.

Thanks again.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

The CDC is often questioned about their recommendation for a 6 month test.  The vast majority of experts feel the recommendation is too conservative.  I am confident that your 8 week result will be an accurate reflection of your status.  EWH

[yen123]

Dear Dr. Hook,

Having said all that and lastly, if YOU were IN MY SITUATION, will you do a blood re-retest? Thank you.

This is my last question. God Bless.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, I would not get re-tested.  EWH

[yen123]

Thank you very much for your time.

[yen123]

Dear Dr. EW Hook,

I just get tested again for HIV anti-bodies (1&2). This is approximately the 5 month mark. It all came back negative.

1. Is this conclusive and reliable enough?
2. Can I rest my case?

Thank you and please bear with me for bothering you again.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, ov course you can trust these results.  I told you that at the 8 week time point.  No matter how much you re-test, the result will not change.  You do not have HIV and need to move on from this.  EWH

[yen123]

Thanks again very much and God Bless you Dr. EW Hook.

[yen123]

A related discussion, Dr. Hansfield or Hook, please read.. was started.