Precum and HIV exposure

[mistake428]

Doctor,

Please help me with my risk of infection and when conclusive results are final...


Two months ago I had unprotected sex, he pulled out before cumming but I am not sure if the precum entered my body. I am not sure whether he has HIV or not; he indicated that he does not but my anxiety has gotten the best of me...

I had an issue with my skin a few days later but my doctor informed me it was from sweat and not to worry about it.(sweat from running and working in the heat)

I have had a scratchy throat for five weeks now but... I also bought a house and have been working there (sanding, mowing the lawn and doing many things that could have cause the throat issue).

I have been tested maybe about 7 times now and all negative, I just got tested at the 2 month mark it was also negative. I plan on getting tested again at the three month mark just to put the icing on the cake...


My questions are as followed-

What is my risk?

After testing negative at the 2 month mark what are the chances that it will change when I go for the 3 month test?

When I get tested at the 3 month mark in 3 weeks and if it comes back negative can I consider that a conclusive and FINAL test or should I go back at the 6 month mark?

Thank you for your help!!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your test at the three month time point will truly be the "icing on the cake".  I am comfortable that you did not get infected from the exposure you describe.  I'll share the reasons for my thoughts as I suspect they may prove helpful to you in feeling comfortable that you are not infected:

1.  Odds are that he was not infected.  Most Americans are not, particularly if they are not in risk groups such as IV drug users or men who have sex with other men.
2.  If he was infected (most unlikely) the odds of infection from a single vaginal exposure are less than 1 in 1000.
3.  Among persons with vaginal exposure, your risk is lower than most since he did not ejaculate (you can assume that you were exposed to pre-ejaculatory fluid but there is less of it and thus less potential exposure).
4.  You had a negative test at 2 months.  At 2 months, 98-99% of tests that are going to be positive will be.  

Based on the information above, I would put you chances of being infected at this time as being tiny.  Testing at 3 month will confirm that and testing at 6 months is not needed.

Hope this helps.  EWH

[mistake428]

Thank you so much I have had the same response from others but after reading one of Dr.HHH's threads in regards to the window period and time frame of testing; I was concerned all over again.

Thank you!

[mistake428]

Doctor,


quick question besides the "hiv rash" are there other skin problems that occur early on in the first couple of months...

like a bump that when you wake up it has a flat scab, it happened once before in three different spots and then a new one occur this morning; its like a bump one day and then the next it is flat with a scab....
what could this be? could it be related to hiv? or could it be viral infection? if so how are viral infections treated?

Thank you

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Sorry, there are no particular skin problems that are characteristic of early HIV infection. People with early HIV get the same sorts of skin problems as people without HIV.  

The rash you mention as part of the ARS appears flat in natire, often redish in appearance and then goes away by itself.  I'm sorry, I have a hard time telling what you mean by "... a bump that when you wake up it has a flat scab."  Even with a better description however, my guess is that your question will be better diagnosed by a visit to your doctor than by my impression from over the internet.  EWH

[mistake428]

when you say people with early hiv get the same sorts of skin problems as people without hiv,
Do you mean that they get the skin problems because of hiv or "just because"
I didn't think that Early hiv could cause skin problems because the cd4 count is not low enough.

Could you clarify?

Thank you

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Yes, people with HIV get the same kind of skin problems as people without HIV, not some kind of "special", HIV-specific skin problems.  EWH

[mistake428]

sorry... but does HIV cause those skin problems?

this will end my thread

Thank you for all your help

[Edward W Hook, MD]

What skin problems?  " Those"????  HIV does casue a rash during the ARS.  That is the only thing that HIV causes.  All other problems associated with HIV are not caused by HIV but may change in frequency in persons with HIV, often particularly as the disease becomes advanced, not early in the course of the disease over its first few years.  EWH

[mistake428]

Thank you for all your help!!!

[mistake428]

doctor if I were to get a pcr test today and if it were to be negative could I consider that a conclusive result, or is the antibody test most reliable??

Thank you

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I already know that you do not have HIV and consider further testing a waste of time.  A negative PCR test would be additional information that you are not infected.   The potential downside is that false positive tests are a bit more common withthe PCR test thatn standard blood tests.

This post is going on and I have been repeating myself.  It is time for the thread to cease.  No further questions please.  EWH

[mistake428]

Thank you again

[mistake428]

Hey there doctor

I just wanted to let you know I went and got tested at 13 1/2 weeks and my results came back neg. using the Elisa duo!!! YAY!!!

The only problem is my doctor told me to come back at the 6 month mark =(
I was hoping that you could inform me if it is Necessary to return for a six month test?

As I have been informed there are only three things that could prolong the HIV antibodies from showing up on a test at the 3 month mark. (is that a fact?)

I am back with my ex and won’t have any type of sexual contact until I know my results are final…. So

If I was your patient would you have me return for the six month testing?
Are my results final?
Is it true that the 1% who takes longer then 3 months are those with the three factors of a suppressed immune system?
Have you seen any one out of those three categories test positive after a 3 month negative test?

Thank you soooo much for your help!!!

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No need for a six month test.  End of discussion.  EWH

[mistake428]

THANK YOU SOOOOOO MUCH.... not continuing with the other questions indicates you feel there is no need to... which is comforting! I am free from the anxiety!!!!

THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!