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What is my risk of HIV?
I posted this in the community forum as well.
About 2 weeks ago I had protected sex with a CSW in SE Asia. I was fingering her, and thought she was getting wet. I had sex for quite a long time and when I looked down she was bleeding everywhere. I looked at my fingers, and they were covered in blood that had dried already. No cuts/openings on my fingers. She put the condom on. It was on about half way down my shaft because she had trouble unrolling it, and so did I after I tried to help. There is no question the head of my penis was covered, and half of the shaft. As for the rest, there was blood all over the other half of my shaft and scrotum. I have no cuts or openings down there, but the shaft of my penis seems pretty thin-skinned? I suppose I just haven't had a close look at another one to compare. Anyways, she insisted it wasn't menstrual blood and had no idea what was wrong. I quickly went to the bathroom and washed off everything, but the sight of blood has me second guessing my level of protection. No significant signs of ARS that I can see, which I've heard have to be pretty visible. I've read posts before about protected sex having basically no risk, but the sight of all that blood is making me a little crazy. Any thoughts on this?
Since I posted this on the community prevention forum, I've got a couple of red 'dots' on my nose of all places. My face seems itchy. I haven't had watery diarrhea, but I seem to have loose stool. Really, what is my risk with this situation? I tried to describe it as best as I could. Could I have unprotected sex with my wife without fear of giving her HIV? (I feel bad saying this, but I need to know)
About 2 weeks ago I had protected sex with a CSW in SE Asia. I was fingering her, and thought she was getting wet. I had sex for quite a long time and when I looked down she was bleeding everywhere. I looked at my fingers, and they were covered in blood that had dried already. No cuts/openings on my fingers. She put the condom on. It was on about half way down my shaft because she had trouble unrolling it, and so did I after I tried to help. There is no question the head of my penis was covered, and half of the shaft. As for the rest, there was blood all over the other half of my shaft and scrotum. I have no cuts or openings down there, but the shaft of my penis seems pretty thin-skinned? I suppose I just haven't had a close look at another one to compare. Anyways, she insisted it wasn't menstrual blood and had no idea what was wrong. I quickly went to the bathroom and washed off everything, but the sight of blood has me second guessing my level of protection. No significant signs of ARS that I can see, which I've heard have to be pretty visible. I've read posts before about protected sex having basically no risk, but the sight of all that blood is making me a little crazy. Any thoughts on this?
Since I posted this on the community prevention forum, I've got a couple of red 'dots' on my nose of all places. My face seems itchy. I haven't had watery diarrhea, but I seem to have loose stool. Really, what is my risk with this situation? I tried to describe it as best as I could. Could I have unprotected sex with my wife without fear of giving her HIV? (I feel bad saying this, but I need to know)
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This definitely is not an ARS rash. Not only is the description wrong, but ARS rash never occurs as the only symptoms -- only with high fever and usually sore throat and often other symptoms as well.
It doesn't matter whether or not I am aware of "any documented cases" of HIV being transmitted by such exposure. I am not, but that doesn't mean rare things don't happen. I also have never had a patient who was struck by lightning, but of course that happens sometimes.
It's time to move on. I won't have any further comments or advice.
It doesn't matter whether or not I am aware of "any documented cases" of HIV being transmitted by such exposure. I am not, but that doesn't mean rare things don't happen. I also have never had a patient who was struck by lightning, but of course that happens sometimes.
It's time to move on. I won't have any further comments or advice.
Hello Dr.,
Your answer was of course very helpful for me, but it seems I've got an issue on the topside of my forearms now, not the tender underside. I have dry skin that is widespread on both arms and into the tops of my hands. The dry skin seems to be forming in little tiny irregular circular patches, widespread and dense on my forearms. It could be forming around the hair follicles maybe? It disappears with the application of lotion.
It should be noted that I take ultra hot showers, and that the skin in this area was sunburnt about 2 weeks ago and still has a reddish appearance. Could I be shedding the skin from a sunburn a couple of weeks ago?
My questions are:
I know the hot showers/sunburn shedding most likely explains the symptoms, but I was wondering in your years of experience, have you have ever seen an ARS rash take form like this?
Also, are you aware of any documented cases of HIV being spread from large amounts of blood on intact skin?
Your answer was of course very helpful for me, but it seems I've got an issue on the topside of my forearms now, not the tender underside. I have dry skin that is widespread on both arms and into the tops of my hands. The dry skin seems to be forming in little tiny irregular circular patches, widespread and dense on my forearms. It could be forming around the hair follicles maybe? It disappears with the application of lotion.
It should be noted that I take ultra hot showers, and that the skin in this area was sunburnt about 2 weeks ago and still has a reddish appearance. Could I be shedding the skin from a sunburn a couple of weeks ago?
My questions are:
I know the hot showers/sunburn shedding most likely explains the symptoms, but I was wondering in your years of experience, have you have ever seen an ARS rash take form like this?
Also, are you aware of any documented cases of HIV being spread from large amounts of blood on intact skin?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
Exposure of intact skin to blood is not an HIV risk. In fact, sex during menstruation doesn't increase HIV risk if the female partner is infected. The amount of virus in genital secretions is often just as high (sometimes higher) as in blood. Further, it is statistically unlikely your CSW partner had HIV. The large majority of CSWs in SE Asia are uninfected.
As for the "red dots" on your nose or facial itching, these are not HIV symptoms.
Of cousre I cannot guarantee you don't have HIV. But based on the exposure described and your symptoms, you can safely continue unprotected sex with your wife.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
Exposure of intact skin to blood is not an HIV risk. In fact, sex during menstruation doesn't increase HIV risk if the female partner is infected. The amount of virus in genital secretions is often just as high (sometimes higher) as in blood. Further, it is statistically unlikely your CSW partner had HIV. The large majority of CSWs in SE Asia are uninfected.
As for the "red dots" on your nose or facial itching, these are not HIV symptoms.
Of cousre I cannot guarantee you don't have HIV. But based on the exposure described and your symptoms, you can safely continue unprotected sex with your wife.
I hope this has helped. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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