Tormented, minimum waiting period for a test.

[exup1999]

Doc, yesterday I submitted the query below. It was not answered, and I understand why, I guess you simply believe the risk to be so minimal as not to warrant a reply, given previous Q’s & A’s.

However, you’ve no idea the torment I’m going through (I have a wife and kids whom I love dearly –really), and yes, I will submit to a test after a reasonable minimum timescale, the sooner the better for me, the incident with the condom/masterbation was only last Sunday. What minimum period would give a reasonable probability for an accurate result? After 3 months I will take another for confirmation (assuming I can get a test here in the Caspian Sea region).

I have even developed a very sore throat and cold symptoms, although I would have to say that many in the office seem to have colds, so hopefully that can be put down to that. Strangely I see weird white flashes from time to time ( a few times last night and once tonight, thought it was the light flickering last night, but I am in different room tonight).

Perhaps I just need to see you tell me that I am being ridiculously paranoid, if indeed that is what you think. Having said that I read on the health site of a well known uk tv station that the HIV virus can be transmitted via sex toys (unless thoroughly washed!). Is that so different to the situations below where vaginal fluids could have been transmitted from vagina to hand to penis? How long can the virus live outside the host, does it die upon contact with the outside air? (I wouldn’t have thought so).

Please, I need an answer.

This is the question posted, more or less.

“I had three recent encounters with a prostitute, my first ever indiscretions. In one, the most recent, after intercourse, with a condom, but without orgasm, I masterbated with the condom still in place, again without climaxing. I then removed the condom, and masterbated to climax. However, I am worried that HIV virus could have been transmitted from the outside of the condom to my penis via my hand. What are the chances of contracting HIV by such means?

In another, I ‘fingered’ the woman, and then masterbated myself to orgasm, using the same hand. There was no intercourse”

In the only other, I had protected sex, no complications, as far as I could tell !.”

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I agree with the replies below, which preceded mine.  The chance of HIV transmission was zero, even if one or more of your contacts was infected, which they probably were not.  You caught a cold, nothing more.

No "yes but" or "what if" follow up questions.  Feel free to take it to the HPV Support forum if you need more feedback.

HHH, MD

[jplee]

I don't want to make light of what your going through but reading what you have done I cannot see any acutal risk.  Maybe your just feeling guilty of what you have done and the fact you are married with children?

[strata]

You are being "ridiculously paranoid" (to quote your own phrase).

You had protected sex and have no risk of HIV infection from the encounters you describe. You do not need HIV testing.

There are ZERO documented cases of HIV transmission by hand-to-genital contact. It is classified as NO risk, not "very low risk".

Dr HHH has answered this question before. Here's a link where he covers both hand-genital contact and the window for HIV testing.

http://www.medhelp.org/forums/STD/messages/708.html

- STD/HIV from oral exposure to female genitals (cunnlingus): extremely low, almost never worth anxiety or worry, unless exposed to a particular infection

- STD/HIV risk after a single condom-protected exposure, especially when the partner isn't known to have any STD problem

- STD/HIV risk from manual (hand to genital) contact (zero)

- Time to positive HIV test: sometimes positive as soon as 10 days, usually positive by 3 weeks, and virtually always positive by 6 weeks, despite official advice that it is best to wait 3 months to be sure. If your HIV test is negative 6 weeks after exposure (and especially after 12 weeks), you don't have HIV, period.

Thank you for your support of the STD Forum.

HHH, MD

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You ARE suffering from guilt/anxiety related to your indiscretion. But HIV is not your problem.

[exup1999]

Thanks all for taking the time to reply. Having read the link I realise there has been much discussion on similar issues. I'll still take the test though. Guilt...you bet !