Question re risk and symptoms

Hello Doctor,
I have a situation which my common sense is telling me wouldn’t be a risk, however events since then have weighed on my mind. I have a couple of questions I hope you could answer as I am struggling at the moment.
A couple of weeks ago I had what I thought wouldn’t have been a risk situation. I was in a party which went to a strip club, I had a long private dance where the stripper had kissed my lips and performed for me, the and my slight concern was that I had a cut (approximately 24 hours old) on my finger which she would have touched, and she would have touched her vagina while performing.

In my mind I think that surely this can’t be a significant risk, and I was satisfied with that.

About 3 days after I came down with a head cold. Again I wasn’t concerned too much about that as I read here that it is too soon to have ARS symptoms (10-14 days I read) and that sneezing etc wouldn’t be consistent with it anyway.
Now there are other things that concern me. About 9 days after this event I began to feel an ear ache developing,  I have not had one of these since childhood and I had read it is a possible symptom. It got worse each day, it is now 12 days later and I went to a doctor who prescribed me with medication saying that I had a bacterial ear infection.
This has freaked me out. I do not feel bad otherwise. I have been wearing ear plugs over the last few weeks, a few days ago my ear was throbbing when I wore it and I (stupidly) had been wearing the same disposable earplugs for  a couple of weeks without cleaning them. The doctor didn’t seem to think that ear plugs are an issue.

What I am asking is:
1) Is this a risk?
2) Is a bacterial ear infection a symptom
3) Does getting these symptoms when I don’t otherwise concern you in this time frame?
4) Should I be waiting to get a test?

Thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum and thanks for your question.  I can confirm the reassuring responses you had on the community forum.

I'm not sure where you got the impression that an ear infection would somehow indicate HIV.  No way.  You caught a cold (the symptoms of which started far too soon after your sexual exposure to be acute HIV), and ear infection is one of the most frequent minor complications of colds and other upper respiratory infections.  As for anything being a "possible symptom" of HIV, you could say the same about most symptoms of almost any infection that humans experience.

Further, you describe an "exposure" that could not possibly resulted in HIV transmission, even if your partenr was infected, which probably she wasn't. A cut on the finger makes no difference -- maybe if it were brand new and freshly bleeding, and probably not even then.  To your specific questions:

1) No risk of HIV transmission.

2) Bacterial ear infections do not suggest HIV.

3) No, the timing doesn't concern me in the least.

4) From a strictly medical or risk assessment standpoint, I would not recommed HIV testing at all.  However, you certainly could be tested if you need the negative result for its reassurance value.  In the meantime, if I were you I wouldn't worry, and I would continue unprotected sex with my wife with no concern of infecting her with HIV or any other STD.

Your profile indicates you are in Sydney.  As a group, Australia's sexual health centres compres the world's very best network of STD/HIV preventionn clinics -- and the Sydney SHC (along with Melbourne's) is the best of the best.  If you have any remaining concerns, consider a visit there for reassuring advice and for testing, if you would like to do it and they agree.

So truly, you shoulnd't be at all concerned.  Try not to worry about it.  But also feel free to let me know your test result if and when you do it, or if you would like to let me know what they say at the SHC.

I hope this helps.  Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[IB2012]

Hi Doctor,
Thanks for the response.

I have one follow up question, I hope you don't mind me asking.

It is now 13 days since the event I talked about, and I am on antibiotics for my ear infection. Today I have had a sore throat all day, despite being on the medication. As this is an ARS symptom would it be of any concern to you?

Thanks again, this would be my first and last response on the topic.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

No this doesn't concern me at all.

[IB2012]

Hi,
Sorry to bring this up again, I just had a follow up question for your consideration please.
My ear infection has just cleared. I understand that it isn't an ARS symptom.
On my checkup for the ear I found out I also had a throat infection, and that an ear infection may have spread from that.
As sore throat is a symtom, would it cause you to revise your opinion, especially considering the timing?
Thanking you

[IB2012]

Apologies if I am taking advantage of the thread by adding a response. I am happy to submit as a new question if required, I only ask due to my worry about this. thanks.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Yes, sore throat occurs in ARS, but never as the only symptom.  Sore throat is among the most common health symptoms experienced by all human beings and even in people at far higher risk than you, the vast majority still are not due to HIV.  If you caught anything from your partner a few weeks ago, it was a cold, nothing more.  

That will be all for this thread; I'll have no further comments or advice.  And please don't start a new thread with questions about the same exposure and symptoms.