Aa
HIV risk from codom failure and one time exposure
Hello doc,
On 15 Jan 2009, I had sex with a street CSW (Canada/Vancouver). We had sex for about 30 mins. For the last 10-15 mins, sex was so good and I finished inside her. When I pulled out, the condom was broken. She was very wet so juice was all over my penis. When I told her that the condom was broken, she said that she can't get pregnent because her tubes are tied? Also, she was concerned whether I was clean. I told her I was and she stated that "are you sure? Well you look clean."
I got very worried and contacted this girl again to ask questions. She said she was clean and gets tested every 3 months and last time she got tested was last month (December 08). She always uses condom even for oral sex (she did on me). She's never experienced condom failure before. She doesn't do anal. She does not use injection drugs nor associates with people who do. She smokes pot though. She has female clients as well. She doesn't do anyone for less than 100 bucks. She looked clean, her private part didn't smell bad, except she had a couple of pimples?? on her thigh.
Now, I'm going to state what I think according to what I've read here. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
- Most CSWs in US and industralized countries don't have HIV. So this must include CSWs in Canada/Vancouver. Also, she was not Native, which is a bit more reassuring. She is Iranian but born and raised in Vancouver.
- If everything the CSW told me is true (I really hope so...), then she probably was HIV neg. when I had sex with her.
- My risk for HIV is 1/1000 if the CSW was HIV+. But in your 30+ years of medical experience, you've never heard of someone becoming HIV+ from a single exposure of unprotected sex with CSW.
Now for questions.
- How bad was my risk in your professional opinion?
- What does the CSW mean by "tied tube"? Does that mean she can't have her period, so no risk for menstral blood on my penis??
Thank you, I'm very very worried...
On 15 Jan 2009, I had sex with a street CSW (Canada/Vancouver). We had sex for about 30 mins. For the last 10-15 mins, sex was so good and I finished inside her. When I pulled out, the condom was broken. She was very wet so juice was all over my penis. When I told her that the condom was broken, she said that she can't get pregnent because her tubes are tied? Also, she was concerned whether I was clean. I told her I was and she stated that "are you sure? Well you look clean."
I got very worried and contacted this girl again to ask questions. She said she was clean and gets tested every 3 months and last time she got tested was last month (December 08). She always uses condom even for oral sex (she did on me). She's never experienced condom failure before. She doesn't do anal. She does not use injection drugs nor associates with people who do. She smokes pot though. She has female clients as well. She doesn't do anyone for less than 100 bucks. She looked clean, her private part didn't smell bad, except she had a couple of pimples?? on her thigh.
Now, I'm going to state what I think according to what I've read here. Please correct me if I'm wrong.
- Most CSWs in US and industralized countries don't have HIV. So this must include CSWs in Canada/Vancouver. Also, she was not Native, which is a bit more reassuring. She is Iranian but born and raised in Vancouver.
- If everything the CSW told me is true (I really hope so...), then she probably was HIV neg. when I had sex with her.
- My risk for HIV is 1/1000 if the CSW was HIV+. But in your 30+ years of medical experience, you've never heard of someone becoming HIV+ from a single exposure of unprotected sex with CSW.
Now for questions.
- How bad was my risk in your professional opinion?
- What does the CSW mean by "tied tube"? Does that mean she can't have her period, so no risk for menstral blood on my penis??
Thank you, I'm very very worried...
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Well, you got all the basic facts right. Thanks for reviewing other threads before asking your question. It makes my job easier.
It is true that the likelihood a CSW in Vancouver has HIV probably is similar to the chance in other North American cities. (If she was an injection drug user from the Downtown Eastside district, the risk may be on the high side. But even there, most CSWs are not infected.) You also have experienced another basic fact that you should find reassuring: for the most part, CSWs who insist on condom use do so because they know they are not infected and want to stay that way -- not because they are infected and are trying to protect their partners. And your CSW partner was exactly right in her concern when the condom ruptured: statistically, CSWs are at higher risk of getting HIV from their customers than the other way around.
To the specific questions:
1) Low risk. It is unlikely your partner had HIV; and if she did, the statistics remain strongly in your favor, i.e. it is unlikely you were infected.
2) Tube tying is a contraceptive procedure, i.e. voluntary sterility. She can't get pregnant. But it has nothing to do with risk of HIV or other STDs. It does not affect menstruation.
All in all, you shouldn't be seriously worried in this situation. Since you're nervous enough to come to this forum, however, you probably should be tested for HIV, for peace of mind. If you're like most people, my reassurance won't completely settle your fears and you'll sleep better knowing you have had a negative HIV test. (This doesn't mean I really think you are at significant risk. I do not.) While you're at it, have standard STD testing as well -- chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis.
In the meantime, don't let this play on your mind. It's not likely you caught anything at all.
Best wishes--- HHH, MD
It is true that the likelihood a CSW in Vancouver has HIV probably is similar to the chance in other North American cities. (If she was an injection drug user from the Downtown Eastside district, the risk may be on the high side. But even there, most CSWs are not infected.) You also have experienced another basic fact that you should find reassuring: for the most part, CSWs who insist on condom use do so because they know they are not infected and want to stay that way -- not because they are infected and are trying to protect their partners. And your CSW partner was exactly right in her concern when the condom ruptured: statistically, CSWs are at higher risk of getting HIV from their customers than the other way around.
To the specific questions:
1) Low risk. It is unlikely your partner had HIV; and if she did, the statistics remain strongly in your favor, i.e. it is unlikely you were infected.
2) Tube tying is a contraceptive procedure, i.e. voluntary sterility. She can't get pregnant. But it has nothing to do with risk of HIV or other STDs. It does not affect menstruation.
All in all, you shouldn't be seriously worried in this situation. Since you're nervous enough to come to this forum, however, you probably should be tested for HIV, for peace of mind. If you're like most people, my reassurance won't completely settle your fears and you'll sleep better knowing you have had a negative HIV test. (This doesn't mean I really think you are at significant risk. I do not.) While you're at it, have standard STD testing as well -- chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis.
In the meantime, don't let this play on your mind. It's not likely you caught anything at all.
Best wishes--- HHH, MD
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
The data on time to HIV seroconversion are not very precise, so estimates vary. In my view, the statistics the clinic quoted you are not significantly different than those that Dr. Hook and I cite on this forum, with the exception of estimates at 4 weeks. Since you were at low risk, I don't see it makes much difference. And as far as I'm concerned, you could reasonable tested again at 2 months. But I'm not going to get into debates with what other clinics or experts say.
Hello Doc, I had my test today... It was at an STD clinic operated by the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC).
The nurse who took my blood told me something that is quite different from the info provided in this forum.. For instance, testing at 2 weeks is 0% accurate, at 4 weeks is 20-50% accurate, at 2 months is 95% accurate, and at 3 months is 99.9% accurate. According to the nurse, this stat. is based on data gathered from the BCCDC.
Now I tested exactly at 4 weeks. The test they use is ELISA. The nurse tells me that my next test should be in April despite my wish to be tested at 2 months...
My fear is growing again but I would like to believe what you have informed me before. My test result should be negative (I find out next week) but according to the nurse, it's only 20-50% accurate... Should I dismiss what he told me?
Thanks doc..
The nurse who took my blood told me something that is quite different from the info provided in this forum.. For instance, testing at 2 weeks is 0% accurate, at 4 weeks is 20-50% accurate, at 2 months is 95% accurate, and at 3 months is 99.9% accurate. According to the nurse, this stat. is based on data gathered from the BCCDC.
Now I tested exactly at 4 weeks. The test they use is ELISA. The nurse tells me that my next test should be in April despite my wish to be tested at 2 months...
My fear is growing again but I would like to believe what you have informed me before. My test result should be negative (I find out next week) but according to the nurse, it's only 20-50% accurate... Should I dismiss what he told me?
Thanks doc..
Thank you doc, I guess I really don't have much to worry about... But it's so weird that, despite all the reassurance and knowledge on risks, I still worry!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
An distant online source cannot guarantee someone isn't infected. But if I were in your situation, I would continue unprotected sex with my wife.
Hi, my HIV/STD test date is coming soon! I can't wait...
Just a quick question, knowing what I know, should I or should I not have unprotected sex with my girlfriend (no HIV/STD) before knowing the test result(s)??
Thanks!!
Just a quick question, knowing what I know, should I or should I not have unprotected sex with my girlfriend (no HIV/STD) before knowing the test result(s)??
Thanks!!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
My advice is that 6 weeks is almost always sufficient for low to moderately low risk exposures. But since so many agencies recommend testing at 3 months, I don't stand on principle if someone wants later testing. In other words, I don't recommend it, but it's up to you.
Thank you kindly for your quick response.
I already booked HIV/STD test for 12 Feb, which is exactly 28 days from the exposure. I simply cannot wait for 6+ weeks... Each day is going by so slowly.
My test result should be negative. If so, I will not go for further testing since my risk was low. But if you think I should retest at 3 months, I will.
Thank you!
I already booked HIV/STD test for 12 Feb, which is exactly 28 days from the exposure. I simply cannot wait for 6+ weeks... Each day is going by so slowly.
My test result should be negative. If so, I will not go for further testing since my risk was low. But if you think I should retest at 3 months, I will.
Thank you!
Forgot to mention, she's 28 years old, and has been working for 6 years. She tries to sleep with as many men as possible :(
You are reading content posted in the HIV - Prevention Forum
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
