Would I have HIV

Hi there, I have some doubts but I would just post it anyway. I had protected sex with a sex worker recently. After sex, while taking out the condom, the exterior surface of the condom had some minor contact with my penis head. Would I contract HIV from this contact? I had a HIV test about a week and a half after that, and I was tested negative. My penis head currently feels sore and sometimes some red spots are spoted on them. I have had this symtom previously, but my doctor told me it could be eczema. As instructed, I have applied my eczema medication on the area, and true enough, the red spots are gone. Currently my penis head looks dry and when fully erected i could clearly see alot of flat but congested red spots along the veins of my penis head. What could this be? I have applied moisturising cream on it, it has cured the dryness a little. Please advise me on whether do I have a high risk of being HIV infected and what are the causes of the systoms that I am having on my penis. Thanks doctor.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Your risk of catching HIV from that sort of exposure probably is less than your winning your state lottery, i.e. about zero.  (Even if the sex work has HIV, which most don't.)  But your HIV test was done too early, even with the best available tests.  You'll probably sleep better if you have another test in a month or so.

Your penile symptoms don't sound like an STD, indeed sounds most like variations of normal anatomy.  But if in doubt, see a health care provider, preferably a dermatologist.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[albert101]

Hi Doc,

I had a question regarding a potential exposure as well which you had answered in a previous post, but I wanted to follow-up with you. I know you had advised against a PCR (my risk was possible condom slippage/tearage with a korean/chinese sex worker), but I was getting sicker with fatigue, persistent cough and rash, and my doctor agreed to a check for acute infection (however he is not an HIV specialist). I tested non-detected with a qualitative DNA PCR (<10 copies) on the 10th DAY post-potential exposure (using Roche amplifiar technology of Quest Diagnostics). My ELISA at the same date was also negative.

(1)Is this any indication of my status, or is it way too early? (2)Also, can a low number of copies/ml, say 7 copies/ml, cause noticeable symptoms like a rash and sore throat?
(3) And the next set of tests should be at 6 weeks, and 12 weeks? (my condition is now better, but the rash is fading away, which is scary, and my cough slightly remains).
(4) Does the PCR detect all strains of HIV (given the consideration that the escort was from China or Korea, most likely from the latter)?

Thank you very, very much for your kind help! You are really providing a very noble service on this forum.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

PCR detects all HIV strains from anywhere in the world.  Enough time has passed and you don't need any further testing.  You don't have HIV.

Best wishes--  HHH, MD

[Marco Polo]

Hi doctor it's me again. Since my last HIV came out negative I have started to get more HIv symptoms such as a small rash on my neck. It has not spread to my chest or and other part of me body. I also Have like small flat spots on the side of my toungue and I am suffering from dry mouth. I have not had any flu like symptoms or night sweats ever. Do u think that it is possible for another STD to cause a small rash on my neck and dry mouth? It could be anxiety. I think about having HIV like every minute of the day. The more I think about it the more I examine my body and find symptoms. I am very sceard. Do u think that this could be caused by anything else. Thanks in advance for ur response.

                 Marco

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Marco, you need help to figure out why you are thinking obsessively about HIV when your risk is so low and your tests are negative.  Your anxieties are all out of proportion.  You would do well to see a mental health professional.  I suggest it out of compassion, not criticism.

Good luck--  HHH, MD