scratchy throat and HIV

Dear Doctor,

I am married (for 5 years) and I had a protected vaginal sex with a sex worker about 7 weeks ago (this was my first and only experience during my marriage). Before the incident, I had shaved my pubic hair around the bottom of my penis but had no broken skin (as much as I noticed).. Vaginal sex lasted just a few minutes and then she  gave me a hand job (using some lotion).. It seemed to me that she was very careful about safe sex. However, about three weeks after this incident I had scratchy throat and some white patches on my tongue. (Actually, almost every spring, I usually experience some sort of hay fever which later turnes tonsillitis but it did not happen last year so I was thinking that my immune system got stronger!). I should also tell you that, as far as I can remember, my throat became itchy soon after I accidentally exposed myself to cold weather (vague memories, though!) My GP had my blood tested to measure the number of CD4 cells and it was normal. Then I went on vacation for a week and tonsillitis started. Another blood test was done and CD4 cell number was again fine and it was found out that tonsillitis had been caused by a virus (My GP liked also the latter finding but I do not exactly know why!) .. In about 5 weeks I will have an HIV test but I am very scared. My questions are as follows: 1. What is the risk? 2. The number of CD4 cells is a reliable sign to feel relieved? (or how reliable?). 3) Shaving can pose any risk?  . PS: I had no fever and no other major symptoms of acute HIV. I just had some mild sore throat and slightly swollen lymph glands only when I had tonsillitis - just a few days!.  Thank you.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Questions about HIV must be on the HIV Prevention Forum, no tthe STD site,.  The brief answer to your question however is that there is no risk for HIV from protected sex and that you had recently shaved your public hair does not change that, even if there were nicks and cuts.  In my opinion you really do not need HIV testing and certainly not CD4 testing.  Hope this comment helps--no risk.   EWH