HIV Worries After High Risk Sex

[Spursman]

Dr HHH,

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer this question.

I am working in Africa for a few weeks. Stupidly, I have ended up drunk on 2 occasions. Twice I have ended up having protected vaginal intercourse. I also briefly inserted my finger into one, and she did the same to my anus.

Could you please tell me my risk category for these two encounters, my chances of acquiring HIV etc.

I have booked an appointment at the STD clinic back in Britain for when I return. If they discover I have a different STI, does this mean that I have severely increasd my chances of contracting HIV? Contrastingly, if I don't have any other STD's, will this mean I am more or less safe?

I have a girlfriend at home, and obviously do not want to infect her in anyway. Being a man, I am also scared to tell her.

The first episode happened 11 days ago, and the second was 6 days ago. I have a small lump on my penis, like a blister but not a blister. I think I may have had this for a while. It does not hurt and is like a small lump under my foreskin.

I also have a mildly sore throat and diarrhoea, but i realise this may be due to the heat and taking Malaria tablets.

If you suggest an HIV test, how long do you recommend I wait?

Thank you ever so much.  Please tell me a charity that would be worthy of a donation, this is not as a bribe but I now realise the fear of HIV.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

In most parts of Africa, the odds that a commercial sex worker has HIV are much higher than in most industrialized countries; it is a pretty good bet that one or both of your partners had HIV.  Even so, your risk of getting infected is near zero, assuming the condom remained intact (and for a single exposure is low even without a condom).

Your symptoms don't sound especially suspicious for HIV.  I don't know what to make of the penile lesion you describe; see what they say at the GUM clinic.

The official line is to wait 3 months for an HIV test.  However, with modern tests the results are virtually always positive by 6 weeks and over 95% of the time by 4 weeks.  Assuming the genital lesion doesn't amount to anything, I would consider it safe for you to have sex with your regular partner right away; but for virtually absolute certainty, you could wait until you have a negative test at 4 weeks.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[Spursman]

Sorry, I forgot to ad that they were sex workers.

[Spursman]

Sorry, I forgot to ad that they were sex workers.

[BenG]

Modern HIV tests will be 90% accurate at 4 weeks, 100% at 6 weeks.

[Spursman]

ben, thanks.

I know you are not a Doctor, but what do you think of my chances? thanks

[BenG]

Well, I know for sure that if the condom did not break, you couldn't possibly get HIV. Even if you had unprotected sex AND she had HIV, Dr HHH quotes odds of 1 in a 1000 for catching HIV (the odds vary according to various factors, but 1 in a 1000 is one he often quotes).(Dr HHH  You can't catch HIV from fingering or a handjob - (Dr HHH has said this, not my opinion). I can't comment on the anal fingering done to you, but I would expect that is no different and poses no risk. Obviously wait to hear what the doctor says, but I reckon I am right in all that I have said. That you used a condom puts you in an extremely good position. I think you have nothing to worry about (easy to say don't worry, I know!). But I would get tested as it may give you some peace of mind. Some places to same day testing in england (I live in London).

[Spursman]

Ben, thanks. Yeah, I know only a negative test will put my mind at ease, but if Dr HHH says it is as low risk as you think it is it will help settle my nerves, and maybe allow me to get some sleep.

Thanks again

[Spursman]

Dr HHH,

Thanks for the comment. Don't know if I feel any better.

What about the 2 "finger" episodes. Do they pose a significant risk? Would it pose a risk if there was cuts from me biting my finger nails, or her?

Would you regard me low risk if the condom stayed intact?

Thank you so much

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

You previously mentioned the finger contact and questionable condom slippage, and I said what I think the risk is--almost zero.  Does it help to have me say it twice?  OK, consider it said.

HHH, MD

[frnkbates]

Hi spursman, i can totally relate to your fear of HIV but listen to the doc his words really helped me when i went through a tough time and everything he said was spot on. Dont forget if the condom didn't break it doesnt matter even if they were HIV+ you definately havent got it. i read a report recently where 6 couples where one of them was HIV+  had regular sex for 2 years using condoms and it wasn't transmitted to the partner, and that is where one of the couples was diagnosed HIV+. When you get home check the website www.playingsafely.co.uk and search for gum clinics in your area, this also gives you clinic info ( maps,phone numbers as well ) on same day HIV testing so you can find out the results without the added anxiety of a 2 week wait. good luck although your not going to need it!! p.s wont hold spurs against you..lol. cheers mate

[Spursman]

Dr HHH and Frnk,

Thanks for the words of comfort, you made me smile for the first time since both the incidents. I know what I did was extremely silly, but it has happened and I need to deal with the consequences.

Thanks again, I will have the test, and i will let you know how I get on.

[karen23]

"Even if you had unprotected sex AND she had HIV, Dr HHH quotes odds of 1 in a 1000 for catching HIV "

I copied this from a post below.  Does this also go the other way ie. unprotected sex with HIV positive man - what are the risks to a  woman?  I assume much higher than woman to man, correct?

[Spursman]

Karen,

Read this link:

http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Archive/TransmissionSexual/Q164813.html

[karen23]

Thx.  I thought odds were much higher.  Not that this man has HIV, and he's not a stranger ;-), but I don't know FOR SURE that he doesn't have it.  I think my odds are very low.  Thanks again for the link - it was most helpful.

[andrea12]

Hi could you catch HIV through biting the inside of someones mouth,(tongue, inside lip...)??? Sorry I'm not sure.. I've just had all the symptoms (sore throat w/ a white spot, fever, fatigue, swollen glands,even night sweats) and was told through a blood test that it wasn't mono.. What can I have if that's all I've done?

[Spursman]

Dr,

Sorry to bother you again. Since you have put my mind at ease reagrding the safety of the sex, can you hopefully put my mind at ease regarding this.

That night, I cut my face open in the swimming pool. There was blood, but not too much. If after touching the girls vagina, I then touched my cut, what is the likelihood of infection from this? i assume if after I took off the condom and touched it there would be less risk.

Sorry to bother you so much, I am not normally an anxious person, but knowing so little about the transmission methods, and the possibility I might have it is honestly tormenting me.

Thank you for your help


Kindest of regards