Worries

[singleguy678]

Dear DR HHH,

I am a single male in my mid-thirties, and always have had a safe sex, as I use condoms since the beginning of my sexual life. All the oral sex I had before 2007 was with girlfriends that I knew in all occasions that were STD and HIV free.

I had a complete STD scan (including HIV) in 2007 and everything came back negative. This followed a sexual encounter I had with a CSW about 14 days before (intercourse performed with condom and blow job received also with condom). I examined the condom and it was intact after the sex session.

In early 2008, I had an unprotected blow job from a CSW in Cape Town, with no vaginal/anal sex afterwards.

Otherwise, I have never put myself at risk of STDs ever since, because I always use condom in my sexual relationships and have never had oral sex (receptive or insertive) any more.

Do I need to get tested because that 2008 unprotected episode of oral sex? And about the proteced sex of 2007?

I am worried because last month I have an episode of Herpes Zoster. It followed a moment of a extreme professional stress plus panic attacks. I discussed this issue with my dermatologist, including my possible exposures to HIV (the same I am describing here) and he told me that to not worry about HIV, because herpes zoster can be caused by the extreme stress I experienced in my job.

I acknowledge your help in advance.

Best wishes,

Single guy

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome to the forum.  However, I can't help too much. You had accurate (if brief) replies to the same questions 2 months on the STD and HIV community forums.

There is no realistic chance you caught HIV or any other STD from the exposures described, and no need for testing for HIV or anything else.  Although herpes zoster (shingles) is more frequent in HIV infected persons, that only applies to repeated or widespread shingles; a single episode of limited extent is not evidence of immune deficiency.  Even with repeated shingles, it is exceedingly unlikely to be the only evidence of HIV; people who get HIV-related shingles typically have advanced HIV with lots of other symptoms and illnesses.

Of course if you remain concerned, you are free to have an HIV test.  If I were in your situation, I wouldn't do it -- but my guess is that you will get beyond these fears more quickly if you get tested.  The negative result probably will go a lot further in helping your anxieties about it than anything I can say.  But really, in the meantime don't worry about it.  There is no realistic chance you have HIV.

Regards--  HHH, MD

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Glad to have helped.  No problem re Sunday; I wouldn't be on line if not willing to do it!

[singleguy678]

Dear Dr HHH,

Thank you for your answers.

As you observed, I did post these concerns in the forum few months ago, but I got worried again because this episode of Herpes Zoster.

Also, I was keen to get the opinion of an expert. Teak and others were very kind and helpful in their answers, but the word of an specialist is the most - and much more reassuring, I would say.

Now I am more relaxed. Of course I will get tested again, but as part of my regular check-up that I will be submitted soon.

My apologies for bothering you on Sunday.

Once again, thank you too much.

Bes regards,

Single guy