Symptoms causing concern

[wesmantooth]

Hi im a uncircumcised male form the uk who had sex with a csw i got the number from a well advertised website the girl was chinese and exspensive at £150 for 1 hour she visited my hotel, we had condom protected oral and i believe protected vaginal sex, she used a condom and lubrication she brought along with her, she also asked to look at my penis before we had sex?, Well i checked the condom multiple times throughout sex as i was worried it may break as she put it on me whilst my penis was still flacid so it was quite uncomfortable when my penis was erect however appeared to be in tact, when we finished she got off of me i looked down and the condom appeared intact she masturbated me a little then removed the condom and masturbated me until i climaxed.

So i was certain that i was safe and the condom remained in tact,

5 days later noticed some lumps under jaw only small

7-8 weeks later i got tonsillitis bacterial form

Still had glands under jaw 4 months later doctor checked them said he had them aswell and they are not swollen
Cramping paint to rear of head behind ears noticed tiny lumps on the bone?

Multiple body aches for the whole time after this incident almost a year or so ago

skin issues dry patches on legs also some dry skin on penis a few weeks after the sex

So do you think the condom broke and i didnt realise?

Do you think i got infected does my symptoms sound like ars?

Whats the chance i got infected and weather or not this csw would have had hiv?

Do you recommend a test its over 12 months now so it would be conclusive?

Also when nodes are swollen on neck behind head etc do they pretrude out becuase my cannot be seen just felt they are really small but something i never noticed before?

My girlfriend also had some symptoms, a yeast infection and suffered some lumps on her neck only small similar to myn however she had these before this incident?

thanks.

[wesmantooth]

A related discussion, still concerned was started.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

First, deep apology for the delay in responding and the confusion that caused it.  My fault.  MedHelp administration will explain if you want to use the contact link.  I have asked them to refund your posting fee (but no guarantee -- that part is up to them.)

My understanding is that the UK Health Protection Agency has estimated that among CSWs in your country only around 1 in 1,000 has HIV.  The chance probably is even lower for relatively high priced escorts like you describe.  In addition, when a sex worker regularly uses condoms, it is a good sign she is not infected and intends to stay that way.  It usually is not that they are infected and are trying to protect their customers.  After all, on average they are at higher HIV/STD risk from their clients than the other way around.  Finally, the condom obviously remained intact.  (There is no such thing as microscopic leaks that lead to HIV transmission.  That's an urban myth, and the "water test" to check condom integrity is pointless.)

And as we have said innumerable times on this forum, symptoms virtually never are a useful indicator of new HIV infection, since even typical symptoms of ARS are more commonly caused by other, minor infections; and in any case your symptoms aren't typical for ARS anyway.   Your girlfriend's symptoms also do not sound alarming in relation to HIV.

As for HIV testing, your question implies you have been tested -- but you don't say so directly.  If you had a negative test more than 6-8 weeks after your adventure with the CSW (and for sure if more than 3 months), it proves you didn't catch HIV and that something else is causing your symptoms.  If so, you don't need additional testing at 12 months or any other time.  If not tested, of course do it now; you can expect a negative results.  And even if you tested negative earlier, of course you are free to do it again if you remain unconvinced.  But unless you have had a potential exposure you don't describe here, it is impossible you have HIV.

UK's NHS GUM clinics are superb, collectively among the world's best sexual health clinics.  Your nearest GUM clinic would be an excellent soruce for in-person advice and HIV testing.  And since your partner is having symptoms, you could both be examined simultaneously, including testing for common STDs.

I hope this helps.  Apologies again for the delay in responding.

HHH, MD

[wesmantooth]

A related discussion, Small lump behind ear was started.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

"Feel free to report your HIV test result.  Other than that, this thread should end."

HIV doesn't cause such symptoms.  See a health care provider if you remain concerned.  If you decide to have another test, you may add a comment with the result.  Anything other than that will result in the entire thread being deleted without reply.

[wesmantooth]

Sorry for a follow up question im considering getting tested and getting the small lumps behind my ear looked at, as anxiety seems to keep getting the better of me.

I would just like to ask would a bump behind the ear around 0.5cm be normal, should it be a concern?, i also have one in a different location however it is still behind the ear on the opposite side, i have had this one even before the incident i believe. My 3 year old nephew has the same lump probably a bit bigger? I have had these bumps first one for over a year, and second one around 7 months should they have gone by now?

Also am i right in thinking if these lumps were cause by hiv, i would have many more all over much larger than these?, i know its around 13 months now after this event so i know i probably wouldnt have any symptoms at this stage if it was hiv, im just trying to keep a level head on these lumps and not worry too much, and since i wasnt ill when i noticed these they leave me very concerned there is something wrong.

thanks.  

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

It is unlikely that there are any lymph nodes in the areas you describe.  "Fatty lumps" may in fact be exactly that, fat tissue.  But see a health care provider if you are convinced it is something new or abnormal.  It does not alter my judgment or advice about HIV.

Feel free to report your HIV test result.  Other than that, this thread should end.

[wesmantooth]

Sorry for the follow up question ill keep it quick, have you ever come across someone who had swollen nodes on their chest because i have some quite like fatty lumps all across my upper chest and neck, im a couple of stone on the heavy side and regular drop weight and gain so they could just be fatty tissue lumps however i wondered if this is a location nodes can swell and weather or not i should be worried? id like to add i also had these before the episode with the csw so havent let them bother me

thanks.

[wesmantooth]

Thanks i think the last time i was tested was summer 2008 and all was negative then.

thanks for the follow up ill look at getting checked this month since a yearly check is good practice

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Glad to have been of help.  I agree that you really don't need HIV testing based on the specific exposures you describe.

On the other hand, as a general principle, it's a good idea for all sexually active people (outside permanent, mutually monogamous relationships) to be tested from time to time for HIV and other STDs.  Given your sexual history, it need not be done more often than every few years.  But if you have never been tested, perhaps this is a good time, since it's on your mind.  The GUM clinics have a public health role, and I doubt the clinic would view a visit for such routine screening as an inappropriate use of NHS resources -- although you could phone ahead to inquire in advance.  (This is not to imply I actually believe you are at signficant risk for HIV.  I do not.)

[wesmantooth]

Thanks for the reassuring answer its been over 12 months since this incident and i have not been tested as i mainly didnt want to waste resources since our gum clinics are free i felt if i had not been at risk from this exsposure i have no need to test, i suppose what i was really wanting was a professionals opinion on my risk i dont particularly partake in risky behaviour as i have only slept with around 10 females and only 3 been unrpotected as they were long term partners, so from a perspective of hiv i think i must be ok it was mainly reasurance what i needed and you answer has helped alot

thanks again for the answering the question and i hope i get a hold of my fears and keep them locked away