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Rash and HIV status
Wow, have I been here before (in this situation). I have literally been in this situation before at least 5 times in the past 10 years. I am a heterosexual male that slipped up yet again and had unprotected vaginal sex with a couple of females (2) at work, one of which I barely knew and it happened just once and the other I know a lot better. I had sex with her 3 times. The one I had sex with 3 times doesn't worry me as much and maybe it's because I know her a lot better and she's actually like 48 years old, 13 years my senior. For some reason that eases my mind? I do know that people say chances of HIV transmission are pretty low for one time female to male encounters but what if I had small microscpic cuts on my penis? Not saying I did but who knows? Also, I neglected to say I'm in a really long term relationship of like 18 years and I'm really scared once again. Anyway, a month or so ago...I developed what doctors diagnosed as a yeast infection or jock itch in the groin area and pain and discomfort accompanied the rash down there. He prescribed Clotrimazole & Betamethasone Dipropionate cream (1%/0.05%)...which I'm assuming is a steroid cream? I used it for the 3 weeks and it worked initially BUT when I stop using it the rash re-appears. I go back and use it a few days...good...I stop, it re-appears. Also, it doesn't help that every site I go to lists recurring yeast infections as a major symptom of HIV! No other symptoms. Got a slight cold now. Also, a rash on both sides of my neck and under my arm appeared but went away in a day or so. Help me please!
Your welcome man.
I hate to be so critical of that guy, but he truly needs a reality check!!
Congratulations on your tests and enjoy that new lease on life!!
I hate to be so critical of that guy, but he truly needs a reality check!!
Congratulations on your tests and enjoy that new lease on life!!
read this thread
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/HIV/messages/360.html
This is where the doc says just having herpes increases risk. But, a doubling of a near zero risk is still zero right?
I was worried too. I do not know what your risk was?
http://www.medhelp.org/forums/HIV/messages/360.html
This is where the doc says just having herpes increases risk. But, a doubling of a near zero risk is still zero right?
I was worried too. I do not know what your risk was?
condom break with SW in italy - exposure not more than 1 min by any lengths
Symptoms: All possible [during & post ARS time period - few still exist] [from PN(major burning and hurting of feet), frequent urination, genitals hurting, malaise, body aches, stomach cramps, change in bowel movement (everything imaginable minus fever)]
Tests:
2 DNA PCR's at 3 weeks and 2 month
4 ELISA 3d gen at 9, 76, 80, 84 days
Hep B negative on 84th day
HSV-2 slight positive ut haven't had an overt outbreak as yet
Pretty much just hangin on the edge of sanity with curret ongoing symptoms. Hopefully, it truly turns out to be a disease which is really difficult to transmit as everyone says hetrosexually from woman to man becoause if somehow I managed to get it, I got it in less than 30 seconds of exposure. Keeping my fingers crossed....
Thanks for trying to help..appericiate it!!!!!
Symptoms: All possible [during & post ARS time period - few still exist] [from PN(major burning and hurting of feet), frequent urination, genitals hurting, malaise, body aches, stomach cramps, change in bowel movement (everything imaginable minus fever)]
Tests:
2 DNA PCR's at 3 weeks and 2 month
4 ELISA 3d gen at 9, 76, 80, 84 days
Hep B negative on 84th day
HSV-2 slight positive ut haven't had an overt outbreak as yet
Pretty much just hangin on the edge of sanity with curret ongoing symptoms. Hopefully, it truly turns out to be a disease which is really difficult to transmit as everyone says hetrosexually from woman to man becoause if somehow I managed to get it, I got it in less than 30 seconds of exposure. Keeping my fingers crossed....
Thanks for trying to help..appericiate it!!!!!
With those tests, you are more negative than a rock!
Rejoice, dude. Your HELL,....is over. It really, really is.
Do something nice this weekend. Attempt to put this out of your mind and make it a point to stay off the internet HIV sites. You will find the symptoms disappearing one by one. I guarantee it.
Rejoice, dude. Your HELL,....is over. It really, really is.
Do something nice this weekend. Attempt to put this out of your mind and make it a point to stay off the internet HIV sites. You will find the symptoms disappearing one by one. I guarantee it.
"the urethra and if you're uncircumsized the inner foreskin"
The urethra route is speculated not proven anywhere at least as far as I have been able to find. Other STD's / inflammation has been studied in terms of hiv transmisison and the results are clear. Certain cells that HIV needs access to come to surface with the presence of other STD's such as herpes. The circumsision issue though has been studied several times and with very similar results. Same thing, certain cells have been found under the foreskinn in higher quantities. These certain cells are the cells HIV needs access to to enter the body.
HIV does not get in through microscopic cuts as one person has already stated. Dr. H will tell you this, there is even a post on it somewhere here. Nor does it get in "through" skin.
HIV is a blood borne disease, fragile, and hard to transmit by other routes other than some kind of blood contact with an infectious fluid such as semen, and blood. Vaginal fluids does contain hiv but in much lower concentrations than the above.
I am sort of glad I went through this as I have learned alot during this time.
The urethra route is speculated not proven anywhere at least as far as I have been able to find. Other STD's / inflammation has been studied in terms of hiv transmisison and the results are clear. Certain cells that HIV needs access to come to surface with the presence of other STD's such as herpes. The circumsision issue though has been studied several times and with very similar results. Same thing, certain cells have been found under the foreskinn in higher quantities. These certain cells are the cells HIV needs access to to enter the body.
HIV does not get in through microscopic cuts as one person has already stated. Dr. H will tell you this, there is even a post on it somewhere here. Nor does it get in "through" skin.
HIV is a blood borne disease, fragile, and hard to transmit by other routes other than some kind of blood contact with an infectious fluid such as semen, and blood. Vaginal fluids does contain hiv but in much lower concentrations than the above.
I am sort of glad I went through this as I have learned alot during this time.
1 question - As I understand from your post, it states presence of other STD's like herpes enhance hiv transmission. Is the presence of herpes lesions needed on the person who does not have hiv or the person who has hiv? [I hope I am making sense]
Say if a man who does not have hiv or any STD's has unprotected vaginal with a woman who has herpes and hiv for say max a minute. The man gets herpes from that particular exposure but before hat he did not have herpes. Now, do you think this increases risk of simultaneous hiv transmission.
Say if a man who does not have hiv or any STD's has unprotected vaginal with a woman who has herpes and hiv for say max a minute. The man gets herpes from that particular exposure but before hat he did not have herpes. Now, do you think this increases risk of simultaneous hiv transmission.
Just scares the hell out of me even more especially with the symptoms I am having as the man I am referring to is me. Thanks for responding.
I am far from expert, but the doc has said there is clear evidence herpes and hiv have been passed simultaneously. As well, I also thought herpes has to be present for certain cells to be at surface but apparently just having HSV in your blood increases risk on its own.
hope this helps.
hope this helps.
A huge "thank you" to Brian and others who has taken the time to read andc comment on my situation (or to be more blunt-stupidity). You're correct, the guilt is once again killing me! One of those things I guess, when you're in the moment you don't look at the repercussions of your actions. Still, that does in no way excuse the behavior. I did disclose the herpes, albiet, afterwards to both parties. Since there wasn't an outbreak at the time apparantly there were no worries or hard feelings. Also too, the woman with whom there were three seperate incidents got tested/examined (herpes) and she turned out OK. Really quick though, it still puzzles me as to why I had a herpes outbreak two years + after I had any outside sexual encounters. I understand your concern about infidelity on her (my significant other) part HOWEVER she tested negative for herpes when I informed her of my status. I was right there with her. What gives? Her infidelity is a very plausable conclusion however with her test results combined with how well I know her and her religion, morals, & principles...trumps that conclusion I think? Again, have you ever heard of a false negative herpes test? Just how reliable are those tests? I remember like it was yesterday the lady (nurse) telling me it's "no big deal" (yeah right!), that 40-50% of adults have herpes and most don't know it. I told her about not having outside sexual encounters in years (at the time) and she looked at me like, yeah right? But I swear! Super, super Swear (LOL)!!! It's just mind-boggling that's all. But back to the major concern. Maybe it's the guilt and the fear that I promised God the last time I got myself in this situation that I was done fooling around and he brought me through the test thankfully negative and here I am again. Wow! What a sinner huh? And also too, I'm not sure I can take myself through the stress of taking another HIV test for and waiting again? I've been through this 6-7 times over the past 10 years. It takes so much courage to stare directly in the face of, what to me is-death. I can just remember how it took everything I had and so much out of me!!!! Very much like it is doing now. Stress is literally killing me! I should know better. But I did make my bed didn't I? I'm just rambling on. I sure hope you're correct about the negative status. I was just reading through different comments and how some of the replies were like...."I guarantee you you're negative" and I guess I needed someone, anyone to say that to me! Not that it means a lot because I don't think none of us are doctors and I KNOW none of us are God ....but sometimes you need that someone to say..."It'll be OK". The replies I got saying..."I don't "think" you have anything to worry about"will have to suffice.
Once again
Many, many thank yous.
Once again
Many, many thank yous.
I do not think HIV is the major concern you should have.
I would be more concerned with other STD's such as the herpes, genital warts, chlamaydia, etc.
The only rational way to deal with this situation is either:
(1) Get tested. If the result is indeed negative....your fine. Your well beyond the required time for antibodies to be created by HIV. ARS symptoms would have been much earlier....none of the symptoms which you state reflect ARS.
You stated rather poignantly that you understand the transmission rate from female to male is low. Indeed you are right about this. Nontheless you can count on your hand the number of times you have had sex with these woman.
(2) Get counseling regarding your behavior. I indeed am not making rash judgments about your behavior (God knows what I have done!) But, this and the previous circumstances (as you stated in your original opening line) made me believe that you undoubtedly are upset by your actions (guilt).
You also state that you are in/have been in a relationship for 18 years. Nonetheless the herpes has been a factor for 3 years...yet the last time you were sexually involved prior to this was 2 years. The time lapse for the onset of herpes seems somewhat questionable to me. I am only alluding with great skepticism that the partner you are with could be unfaithful/has been unfaithful? (just reaching here...but herpes outbreaks do not tend to take 2 years to cause lesions).
(3) You should make any future partners aware of your status regarding herpes.
(4) Regarding your question on T-cells. Doctor's offices would not look at T-cell counts regardless on being tested for cholesterol. This is a rather expensive procedure that is not merited in the normal procedure for an MD's office.
A basic, antibody/ELISA test at this point if time is MORE than sufficient.
Get tested anonymously....even if it is not within your city.
(5) Clotrimazole & Betamethasone Dipropionate cream (1%/0.05%) is a steroid that is used for bacterial infections. It is a product made by the Fougera Co. Steroids often have a tendency to create more bad than good scenarios. More than often people have negative reactions to steroids....I know I have. Strangely enough I would suggest a dermatologist more so than a GP regaarding skin irritations/issues in that area.
Good luck...and always...stay safe.
Brian
I would be more concerned with other STD's such as the herpes, genital warts, chlamaydia, etc.
The only rational way to deal with this situation is either:
(1) Get tested. If the result is indeed negative....your fine. Your well beyond the required time for antibodies to be created by HIV. ARS symptoms would have been much earlier....none of the symptoms which you state reflect ARS.
You stated rather poignantly that you understand the transmission rate from female to male is low. Indeed you are right about this. Nontheless you can count on your hand the number of times you have had sex with these woman.
(2) Get counseling regarding your behavior. I indeed am not making rash judgments about your behavior (God knows what I have done!) But, this and the previous circumstances (as you stated in your original opening line) made me believe that you undoubtedly are upset by your actions (guilt).
You also state that you are in/have been in a relationship for 18 years. Nonetheless the herpes has been a factor for 3 years...yet the last time you were sexually involved prior to this was 2 years. The time lapse for the onset of herpes seems somewhat questionable to me. I am only alluding with great skepticism that the partner you are with could be unfaithful/has been unfaithful? (just reaching here...but herpes outbreaks do not tend to take 2 years to cause lesions).
(3) You should make any future partners aware of your status regarding herpes.
(4) Regarding your question on T-cells. Doctor's offices would not look at T-cell counts regardless on being tested for cholesterol. This is a rather expensive procedure that is not merited in the normal procedure for an MD's office.
A basic, antibody/ELISA test at this point if time is MORE than sufficient.
Get tested anonymously....even if it is not within your city.
(5) Clotrimazole & Betamethasone Dipropionate cream (1%/0.05%) is a steroid that is used for bacterial infections. It is a product made by the Fougera Co. Steroids often have a tendency to create more bad than good scenarios. More than often people have negative reactions to steroids....I know I have. Strangely enough I would suggest a dermatologist more so than a GP regaarding skin irritations/issues in that area.
Good luck...and always...stay safe.
Brian
The routine blood tests cannot be relied on as evidence either for or against HIV. You're risk is low but an HIV test done now would be conclusive since there have been 3-4 months since the last incident. As Ronnie says that may be the best way to ease your mind.
Incidently, the transmision route with unprotected vaginal intercourse is not microscopic cuts on the penis but the muscosal tissue (the urethra and if you're uncircumsized the inner foreskin).
Incidently, the transmision route with unprotected vaginal intercourse is not microscopic cuts on the penis but the muscosal tissue (the urethra and if you're uncircumsized the inner foreskin).
Jock itch can be difficult to get rid of and often reappears when treatment stops initially. I know because I used to get it when I played football when I was younger. I would not worry about that condition as any sort of HIV indicator. You just need to get tested to ease your mind and know your status. I thought I had HIV 100% but the tests say oherwise.
Best of luck to you,
Ronnie
Best of luck to you,
Ronnie
Also, I negelected to say this. The (one-time) exposure was last October and the other woman was last about 3-4 months ago. And really quick, recently I had tons of routine blood work done and I was diagnosed with severely high cholesteral. With that testing, would they have noticed something like low T-cells or something to prompt them to inquire and further test me for HIV? Like a red flag or something? Last thing, I do have herpes ( 3 years now) but haven't had an outbreak in about since I was diagnosed years. I take Valtrex daily for that. Even with that, I heard that even that diagnosis could be inacuruate. That test was performed at a free clinic and my significant other tested negative for it. The crazy thing is that when I broke out with that I hadn't had any other partners for over two years! Swear! How could that be? That's what makes me think that the test might be faulty!!! That's it I promise.
Please answer the first question first (routine blood tests) because that's the most important! If you wanna chime in on the herpes test...feel free! I know I talk too much but that's it I promise. Thanx a bunch for your time!
Please answer the first question first (routine blood tests) because that's the most important! If you wanna chime in on the herpes test...feel free! I know I talk too much but that's it I promise. Thanx a bunch for your time!
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