Aa
How worried should I be?
Dr. - thank you very much for making this forum available. I had unprotected oral and vaginal sex with a caucasian sex worker in New York City on May 24th. On June 23rd I had my first HIV test and today, July 3rd, I had my second test both of which were negative.
In addition, I have had tests for chlymidia, gonorhea and syphilis, all of which were negative. What are the chances that two negative tests will be followed by a positive test? How worried should I be?
In addition, I have had tests for chlymidia, gonorhea and syphilis, all of which were negative. What are the chances that two negative tests will be followed by a positive test? How worried should I be?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum. Bottom line: You can relax. For sure you did not catch HIV.
Your exposure history is not a consideration. Your test results show you were not infected. With the standard HIV antibody tests in use today, it virtually never takes more than 6 weeks for a positive result in someone with a new HIV infection. That is despite the fact that many testing services and public health agencies continue to advise testing at 3 months. In fact, it is almost never necessary. (In reply to the follow-up question below, you could ask whether either of your tests was a combo test, i.e. for both HIV antibody and p24 antigen. If so, the June 23 test by itself was 100% proof.)
As it happens, you had a low risk exposure. There's probably less than a 1% chance your partner had HIV, and the odds of transmission during any single episode of unprotected vaginal sex -- if the female partner has HIV -- is around 1 in 2,000. And oral sex is zero risk for all practical purposes. But as I said, even if you had a truly high risk exposure, the test results rule.
So with your negative results, not only for HIV but for other STDs, you can put his exposure behind you and move on. No more testing is necessary. There is not chance that any future tests will be positive.
But one follow-up comment: You had commercial sex without a condom?? What were you thinking??!! Please don't ever do it again. You weren't infected this time, but I hope you'll stop playing with matches in a fireworks factory.
Regards-- HHH, MD
Your exposure history is not a consideration. Your test results show you were not infected. With the standard HIV antibody tests in use today, it virtually never takes more than 6 weeks for a positive result in someone with a new HIV infection. That is despite the fact that many testing services and public health agencies continue to advise testing at 3 months. In fact, it is almost never necessary. (In reply to the follow-up question below, you could ask whether either of your tests was a combo test, i.e. for both HIV antibody and p24 antigen. If so, the June 23 test by itself was 100% proof.)
As it happens, you had a low risk exposure. There's probably less than a 1% chance your partner had HIV, and the odds of transmission during any single episode of unprotected vaginal sex -- if the female partner has HIV -- is around 1 in 2,000. And oral sex is zero risk for all practical purposes. But as I said, even if you had a truly high risk exposure, the test results rule.
So with your negative results, not only for HIV but for other STDs, you can put his exposure behind you and move on. No more testing is necessary. There is not chance that any future tests will be positive.
But one follow-up comment: You had commercial sex without a condom?? What were you thinking??!! Please don't ever do it again. You weren't infected this time, but I hope you'll stop playing with matches in a fireworks factory.
Regards-- HHH, MD
I forgot mention two things: I am male and the sex worker female. In addition, I went to my local hospital where they drew blood, took my vitals, etc. I am not sure what test they used. Should I ask and will that make a difference?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
See above.
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