Tormented, minimum waiting period for a test.

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

[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 !