Please help, freaking out over broken condom/oral

[redskin786]

Hi Doc,

Quick history, I tested neg for HIV on April 24, 2006.  Since then, I have had all protected insertive vaginal intercourse, maybe 3-5 times.  I am a heterosexual male, age 27.  My story is as follows:

about 10 days ago, I engaged in protected vaginal sex but the condom broke while I was inside.  I immediately removed my penis and saw that the entire head was exposed.  I think the girl was or already came as I fingered her prior to insertion for a while.  I was literally exposed for about 1-2 seconds before I removed.  I wiped it off and she continued on while giving me fallatio until I came.  2 days after that, I met another girl and took her home and she performed oral fallatio and oral anal.  She did this for about 10 mintues until I came.  

Now, 10 days after my first incidence, I definitely have swollne nodes in my neck, kinda near the back around the ears on my left side (two of them) and another on my right side, not so swollen.  I feel irritation in my groin area but I have not felt any nodes...I feel weak in my legs and I seem to be losing my appetite, maybe from worrying.

From my incidence, what are the chances I acquired this epidemic?  Do I need to go get tested right away or should I wait to see if there are any other developing symptoms that might persist?  Are the swollen nodes something to worry about when dealing with HIV infection?  

I am feaking out and I am just waiting for the onset of other symptoms...I also do not know the status of the two girls I mentioned.  Please give me some type of advise on what to do.  

Thanks, I appreciate it.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Relax.  Read many other threads on this forum about the low risk of vaginal sex for HIV transmission, even without condoms and even if one partner is infected, which yours probably was not.  Also read about how meaningless symptoms are as an indicator of early HIV infection, especially in low risk situations.  In any case, your symptoms don't sound like HIV anyway.  Search the forum for keywords "HIV transmission risk", "vaginal sex", "ARS symptoms", and "HIV symptoms".  Also for "time to positive HIV test" and "HIV diagnosis" about whether, when, and how to be tested.

I really don't think you need testing at all.  But if you remain nervous despite this reassurance, visit a provider for HIV testing (and other routine STD tests, while you're at it) about 6 weeks after the event.  But don't lose sleep over it in the meantime.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[HHH,MD]

I forgot to comment on the oral sex episode, which is virtually zero risk for HIV.  Add "oral sex" and "fellatio" to your search.

HHH, MD

[redskin786]

Thanks for the words doc...another question I had was what about the rimming part of oral...or was that included on the "virtually zero risk" in infection.  

Also, I felt another node in my groin just now so that makes it neck and groin.  It feels like a chain of 2-3 in my right side and another one on my right side...please let me know.

I appreciate your response.

[SouthAsian]

Doc,

Why a hit by a needle, for a few seconds, so much more riskier than all the sexual incidents, which you assure us as less risky.

Theoretially at least, the exposure to an infected needle is more or less like deep kissing, cunnilingus etc, right?
Just curious...thanks.

[grbala]

Dear Doctor,

I wonder why do no risk people get all kind of symptoms. I have never ever felt the lymph nodes in my life; now I can feel. I never had pain in my arm pit; but now I seem to have. I never had stiffed neck; now I seem to have.

How could anxiety create all such symptoms?

Regards,
grbala

PS: Thanks! I could not post a new thread because I am sure that you will delete mine immediately :-( (My encounter was that I got licked on my shaved/pimple neck by a HIV +ve friend)

[monkeyflower]

I think Dr. Handsfield has said that rimming is very little to no risk, similar to oral.

southasian: I think it's obvious why a needlestick with an infected needle would be riskier than kissing. You're essentially introducing HIV *directly into your bloodstream*.

grbala: Don't ever discount the power of suggestion. Ever. And anxiety most certainly can have very physical effects on the body in many ways, producing symptoms and exacerbating already present "symptoms" (usually normal bodily sensations). I'll bet anything your lymph nodes aren't really enlarged; you've just been paying so much attention to them you've convinced yourself they're enlarged. Your sore neck and even your sore underarm are no doubt a result of muscle tension/anxiety (just fyi, sore necks, backs, etc. are unbelievably common and generally due to tension, poor body mechanics, etc.). Besides, in your case, it is literally impossible for you to contract HIV in the way you describe. Among other things, HIV is not transmitted through saliva. You might consider counseling to help you get past this concern.

[redskin786]

Dr HHH,

I just went to the Doctor for a checkup and he noticed a chain of lymph nodes on the back of my neck that were enlarged (pea shaped).  I felt this on Saturday, pretty much 9-10 days after my limited exposure.  He also said that my throat was a little red and my abdomen is hurting now (enough to wake me up this morning), along with my lower back.  He pressed my abdomen and it hurt.  He then took blood to see the CBC count and to check for Mono...but he said that there is def an infection, probably viral.  What do you take of this?  Should I be more worried now that he has suggested that it may be Mono and since Mono has all the characteristics as HIV infection, justify my worry?  Please let me know your thoughts on this as I am really getting scared now.  Also, what else should I be looking for?  Please respond.  Thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Since you are seeing a doctor about your symptoms, that is who you should ask your questions, not me or any other online source.  Nothing you say changes my original opinion.  But trust and follow your doctor's advice.

To my knowledge, HIV transmission by rimming has not been reported.  If it occurs, it is rare.

HHH, MD

[redskin786]

I am going to wait for my doc to tell me what my results are but the symptoms are very similar between the two viral infections right?  Wouldnt you say that nodes running down my neck, abdomen hurting, general fatgiue are the major symptoms?  I know that everyone says symptoms mean nothing but a lot of docs mention a fever as being a key symptom.  Is the fever usually the first sign and swollen nodes and the rest follow?  I would say that I noticed swollen nodes 10 days after the fact and abdomen hurting 13 days after.  Are these in line with symptoms that all come at once?  Or is that on one day, I get everything?  Im not sure if I follow that.  I also have noticed back pains recently.  Please let me know.  Thanks.

[redskin786]

Any comments, suggestions?  Anyone?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

This is not an emotional support website.  Its main purpose is to educate people with realistic, accurate information.  Your repeated posting of anxiety driven questions does not serve that goal.  Enough.

HHH, MD