Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Possible exposure: PEP necessary?

Hi, I've read posts here in the past but hoped I'd never have a real reason to have to post. Well, something kinda bad happened to me last night, so here I am.

I'm a 26-year old gay male. I went to a sex club last night. Not the best place to avoid STDs, I know, but I'm very careful. I always use condoms for anal sex, always make sure the condom is put on properly, check constantly to make sure it hasn't broken, etc. I'm terribly paranoid about HIV and, while it's not going to stop me from having sex, I do everything I can to avoid it. Well, last night, I allowed a guy to do me. I put the condom on him myself (to make sure he didn't put it on inside out and then flip it over and use it anyway), checked to make sure it didn't break when he put it in, etc. Anyway, he put it in for a couple of seconds, but then I made him withdraw because it was hurting. A couple of minutes later, he wanted to try it again. So I let him put his dick in again. Once it was in, I felt back there, and it didn't feel like he was wearing a condom. So I pulled away immediately, felt behind me, and sure enough, he'd taken the thing off without asking and decided to go without. I was furious and freaked out, rushed to the bathroom and tried going to the bathroom immediately (figured I should get whatever I could out of there).

I know plenty about HIV transmission. He was inside me without a condom for literally less than ten seconds, and he didn't cum, so the only fluid to possibly worry about was pre-cum, and I don't even know if he had any. At the same time, it was still sex without a condom, however brief. And someone who's willing to **** random people without a condom, without asking, in a gay sex club seems to be a good candidate for being HIV positive.

So I know there's a risk, although I don't think it's astronomically high. My question is whether you folks think the risk here is big enough for me to get on PEP. It happened less than 12 hours ago, and I know I've got up to 72, although it's better to start later. I'm outside of my home country, and I'm not sure where to go in the country where I am to talk to a doctor and get a prescription.

Thanks in advance. I appreciate everyone's input.
2 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
Avatar universal
Yes, it's very helpful and helps me feel a little better. Like I said, I know there's a risk there, but HIV is not particularly easy to contract, particularly with a ten-second exposure without ejaculation.

I've read that PEP is sometimes recommended for receptive anal sex with a partner of unknown status, but my guess is that this would be recommended more in a case where there was actual ejaculation, i.e., a more significant exposure than I'm looking at.

It's been a while since my last test, so I was planning on getting tested in the near future regardless - will probably do it at eight weeks and again at twelve. I just hate to have this added bit of anxiety until then.
Helpful - 0
150689 tn?1333990045
Firsty kudos to you ro always insisting on condoms for anal sex. Well done. Sadly, even after insisting on safe sex your partner disregarded your choices.  I'm sorry that you find yourself in this postion through no fault of your own.

You are obviously aware of the risk involved with unprotected sex, so I don;t need to repeat it here - in your situation it's clearly not needed and probably not helpful.

So should you choose to go onto PEP? Well, like everything in life ultimately it's one of personal choice. However......

PEP is normally only used when there has been a confirmed exposure to possible HIV infection; In this case if you knew your partner WAS HIV+ you would be a good candidate for PEP. But you have to be aware that PEP is highly toxic medicine and isn't 100% effective, even if started within 72 hours. Given the limited exposure you have had, to someone whose status you don't know, with no ejaculation. I would think that PEP might not be a good idea.

You will need to test at three months post exposure for a conclusive result. And if you DO take PEP, then you will have to test three months AFTER your last does (in effect it will be 4 months after the inital exposure) for a reliable and conclusive result. And given the information you have posted I would still expect you to test negative after this.


I hope this helps.
Helpful - 0
Have an Answer?

You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community

Top HIV Answerers
366749 tn?1544695265
Karachi, Pakistan
370181 tn?1595629445
Arlington, WA
Learn About Top Answerers
Didn't find the answer you were looking for?
Ask a question
Popular Resources
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.