Risk assesment

[esoj77]

I slept with a girl who was dating a guy WHO never uses condoms. I also found out she has been clean for 3 years from shooting meth. She is 21 from an affluent family. I had intervals of seconds of penetration--because I didnt want to be exposed to long. She said she has not slept with this guy for 2 months--I am thinking more like 5 weeks or maybe 3--not sure if other men have been around---she claims to have fooled around but not have had sex with anyone but this guy unprotected recently--hope you are following DR. The next day I took her to an HIV clinic and she had a negative 20 minute rapid test. The counselor shook my hand on the way out and she felt elated. I also heard IV drug users will show negative. Am I in the clear? Did I just ruin my life? I guess we can do--brief sessions of penetration--3 or for times and Im circumsized neg since April---and she had a neg test. Could I be so unlucky that shes poz and taking meds and it did not show? She said the METH made her ill when she was using--shes healthy and working now---and has not shot up. Does her test mean nothing?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You have titiled your question "risk".  I might re-title it "trust".  I hope I can help to provide you with a bit more confidence that you are not at risk.  The bottom line here is that you cannot get HIV from someone who does not have HIV and your partner does not have HIV.  Rapid tests for HIV are just as accurate as the more widely used (because they are cheaper) blood tests sent to laboratories.  If she had HIV, even if she were taking the medications for HIV, her blood test would remain positive.  You can believe the test results.  Currently available tests give entirely reliable results within 6-8 weeks following exposure.  

A few more comments only partially related to your question.  You seem not to believe your partner's statements about when she last had sex with her prior partner, whether or not she has HIV, etc.  Perhaps there are other reasons for these thoughts.

Hope this helps.  EWH

[esoj77]

Does brief insertion create a high risk--I have made some mistakes--but usually would just insert and remove--a girl last night--a different one --allowed me to insert in her once briefly and I also briefly penetrated her anally briefly--seconds--just the tip. What is my risk--do i need testing--lately I have been seeing women more than often--I asked this girl who said she was tested a year ago--she is premiscuos....she may have slept with someone who she feels maybe bisexual--we discussed her history--she was tested a year ago---I just tested in april--dont wanna keep testing--Im done with risks---never do i have full on sex--just brief unprotected insertions---

[Edward W Hook, MD]

There are no data on the relationship of duration of exposure to risk of infection. It is common sensical that the longer the exposure the more likely transmission is to occur.  the risk of anal exposure is higher than the risk of vaginal exposure.  As for your overall risk, you describe unprotected sex with multiple partners of varying risks.  Thus you qualify for periodic HIV/STD "screening (testing in the absence of symptoms) because you have had multiple partners over a period of less than a year.  As a matter of personal protection, we recommend annual testing for anyone who has had two or more sex partners in the past year (we consider this to be health maintenance- we also recommend you get your blood pressure and cholesterol checked regularly).  

On a more general level, from my perspective it really makes little sense for you to be asking about your risk on a partner-by-partner basis - far too much emoptional energy is expended this way.  Ask you partners about their status, use condoms, and get screened for STDs periodically (more often if you change partners more often).  You are already doing most of this so keep it up.  If you cannot keep from worrying each time you and a new partner choose to have sex, you should do more, such as adopt regular condom use. EWH

[esoj77]

Actually as I stated I only have slept with these 2 people since my negative test. The first one I took to get tested and she was neg--the second one I was half way inside her for a second--and some rubbing outside the vagina--the anal was the tip for a quick second...I guess im doomed based on your comment Im a walking STD.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You are over reacting.  Just get tested your risk is far lower than your level of concern suggests.  For HIV any result more than 6 weeks after exposure should be considered definitive.  Until, just relax.  You know one partner did not have HIV and it is unlikely the other did.    EWH

[esoj77]

I have started to feel weird things all over--from peeing too much to I dont know what else--I just found out the girl I took to get tested could have lied---I waited in the lobby--counselor shook my hand and we were out in 20 minutes--it could have came back poz--and he cant tell me anything and she said she was fine right in front of him--I am freaking out--This is a result of a break up with a girl I was with and now we may get back together--I got tested to clear myself for the relationship and now I cant touch her again--I called the testing center they said if she was poz--she would have been in there for over an hour filling out paper work for the confirmatory..JESUS==I didnt have full on penetration--with either girl--quick insertions---

[esoj77]

Do i have to pay again?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I will repeat- you are over reacting.  Your paranoia is not justified and your risk is very, very low.  The weird feelings you are experiencing are due to your heightened concern and the tendency to notice things you would overlook otherwise. Your p[artner has been tested and is not infected, as would be expected from what you state about her.  I have nothing more to add to what has already be said.  Re-read the earlier posts. This will conclude this thread.  

If there are more questions you will have to ask another questions however, if the question is yet another anxiety-fueled, paranoid expression of your angst, it will be deleted without comment.  

If you cannot get by these most unlikely, unfounded concerns, you should seek the assistance of a counselor or other mental health professional who can help you to work through things.  I say this out of concern and in all sincerity.  EWH

[esoj77]

I have good reason to believe this girl is HIV positive. She wont drive back here to take me to see her test results and yesterday she went to the ER because she had back pains. The pains according to her text--she may have blood clots in her lungs from taking the pill and smoking...a lot--but shes only 21--this could be advanced HIV or AIDS. Maybe thats why the test was neg. IM SHAKING and scared to death. She has been avoiding me and my questions today. I am almost going to call the cops and report her. I have not had any symptoms of ARS yet...except for a day I felt a lil sick and that went away--no fever.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your concerns are not realistic.  Please re-read my advice above.  I have nothing more to say.  EWH

[esoj77]

Just tested Negative for HIv waiting on other STD test--did oral swab 6 weeks--negative--hope its accurate---What prompted me to call was a phone call from CSC review department--I googled it and saw affiliation with CDC--thought it was partner notification--freaked me out--now after more research they seem to also be a credit agency and assist in records for CDC..not partner notification calls...what a panic...Thanks for advice