Worried about exposure

Doc,
about 2.5 months ago I had one-time unprotected vaginal sex with a business woman I hooked up with in a club.  We had sex on and off for about 5 hours that night.  About a week afterwards I had sporatic itching all over my body and feelings of warmness throughout my body.  I emailed the lady asking her if she had any STD and she said that I had nothing to worry about (she said that she had been in a monogamous relationship and this was the first time she had a one-night stand, and that she was freaking out about the incident as well).  That put my mind to ease a bit.  However, the sporatic itching hasn't stopped, and I also have these weird crawiling sensations sporatically all over my body.  I've also noticed some small bumps (not many) here and there on my body.  What is your assessment of this, because I'm kinda freakin out about this whole thing right now.  Do you think this has anything to do with HIV? Do I need testing?  Thanks in advance.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Sporadic itching doesn't suggest either HIV or any other STD.  However, there are two possible exceptions:  Scabies (itch mite infestation) could cause itching, especially if the bumps you describe are where the itching is located, and if they are reddened.  Scabies can be acquired by close association, like sharing beds -- and can be transmitted sexually.  Pubic lice (crabs) are another possibility, if the itching is centered in the pubic hair area; if that's the problem, you should be able to see the eggs (nits) attached to the base of several pubic hairs and may be able to see the lice themselves, which on first glance look like small brown spots on the skin in the pubic area.  If uncertain, or if the itching continues without obvious explanation, of course see a health care provider about it.

Anyway, none of this has anything to do with HIV, and it is extremely rare to catch HIV from a single episode of vaginal sex, especially so when your partner assures you she doesn't have it.  But if you remain nervous,  i.e. if my reassurance doesn't fully settle your fears, have an HIV test.  You can expect negative results.

Good luck--  HHH, MD