hiv in liquid and candida

[soashamed123]

Hello Drs, thank you so much for taking the time to answer my question. About 8 weeks ago I took a trip to Costa Rica where I had sex with a sex worker. I always practice safe sex by using a condom but something about my experience made me a little uncomfortable. right before I had intercourse with the sex worker she applied some type of liquid from a small plastic bottle, sort of like a visine eye drop bottle on the head of my penis. Ever since that episode many strange thoughts have gone through my head. Can the liquid that she put on the head of my penis have been tainted with the hiv virus by her. Can the hiv virus survive in that small bottle if it had been tainted by her? Also about 4 weeks ago I started to get a bad lump in my throat as well as a bad sinus congestion. When I went to see  my ENT he did a culture on my throat and the results came back that I had candida. Now I am very nervous because one of the causes of candida that I have read is from HIV. Do you think I have any reason to worry about this episode and the candida? And should I be tested. I nervously await your response. Thank you.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome back to the forum.  However, I am concerned to see that you continue to have irrational fears of HIV.  There is absolutely no possibility of HIV transmission from the sexual lubricant (or whatever it was that the sex worker applied to your penis).  There is no rational reason to suppose the liquid was contamined with HIV, and even if it was, you couldn't have been infected by that kind of exposrue.

Candida is normal on the skin and in the nose, mouth, vagina, and other body openings.  And it can also cause sore throats etc.  It is true that Candida can infect the throat in HIV infected people, but that's primarily with overt AIDS -- i.e. longstanding HIV infection for many years, not a new infection.

You do not need testing and should do your best to stop worrying about this.

Also, please note that MedHelp limits the number of questions people can ask on the professionally moderated forums -- a maximum of 2 questions every 6 months (see Terms and Conditions).  The purpose is to prevent domination of forums by a few persons with anxiety-driven questions (much like yours).  This is your third question in 6 months (since March) and will have to be your last one for another year.  Just a kind warning so you do not risk a posting fee on a question that would be deleted without reply.

HHH, MD

[soashamed123]

Dr. HHH, thank you for your kind words and wisdom. It is very much appreciated by me. And yes, I will try my best to move on. Thank you.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

I wrote a draft reply, then a few minutes later decided to change it.  The deleted words you ask about are obvious information that everybody knows -- I didn't really see a need for it.

That will end this thread.  Don't overthink it and do your best to move on.

[soashamed123]

Dear Dr. HHH. Thank you again for answering my question . i know they may seem idiotic and such but I guess with the candida and all I feel a little vulnerable as far as hiv is concerned. With that being said when I had read your last response earlier in the day, part of your response stated that the only thing that I needed to know to avoid HIV was to only have condom protected sexual intercourse both anal and vaginal and not to share any drug syringes with anybody ( which i never have done drugs in my life ). And that if I follow this advise I can know how to avoid any future exposures I may have. I am wondering why that part of your answer was deleted. Thank you again for your patience with me.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

First, the idea that a lubricant container could become contaminated is a bit silly, don't you think?  How would that happen?  Don't tell me it might be on purpose -- that's even more dumb.  Second, if that happened, the virus probably would immediately die; gels and lubricants typically contain preservatives, emollients, and other chemicals that would inactivate viruses.  Third, because of dilution plus lack of access to the right kind of cells, enough virus could not be transmitted by hand-genital contact to result in transmission.  (Even when vaginal fluid is used for lubrication, HIV is not transmitted by hand-genital contact.)

The symptoms you report could be partly due to anxiety.  Candida itself cannot.  But as I said, that doesn't suggest you have HIV.

Last April we discussed your irrational anxieties about HIV and the potential benefit of professional mental health counseling.  This question and discussion reflect the same need.  You need to try to avoid magical thinking about HIV and STD risks.  In any case, you may not ask such questions again on this forum.  Repeated anxiety driven questions are not permitted.  Also MedHelp permits a maximum of 2 questions every 6 months on the professionally moderated forums -- and this is your third in 6 months.  Do not risk a posting fee on a question that would be deleted without reply.

[soashamed123]

Dr. HHH, thanks for answering my question. In your response you said that the liquid/lube would not infect me from the type of exposure that I had. Can you try to explain to me why if a lube were to be contaminated with the hiv virus and put on the head of my penis that I would not be succeptible to infection. Also as far as the candida is concerned. Being that you helped me with my previous anxietys and stress  in the past. Can candida be brought on by stress and anxiety. I thank you again for taking your time to answer my questions.