HIV Risk

[rina84]

Dear Doctor,

On April 25th, 2008 I had a sexual encounter with a guy from Cancun Mexico, that I have known since December. I am from Canada.

We bought condoms, he put one on, and we had vaginal protected intercourse. He also inserted into my anus 2 times and both times I stopped it after like a minute. (I knew that I would get a UTI from this, but was too intoxicated to do anything at the moment; I did get a UTI and got it treated) Anyways when he finally pulled out of my vagina (I am not sure if he had ejaculated since he was pretty drunk; and I never asked him) I noticed that the condom was not on his penis. I immediately asked him where the condom was, he looked down and it was right by my vagina or may have been slightly inserted I don’t recall but he picked it up and moved it. My main reasoning here of what happened is that when he pulled out, the condom had slipped off. I saw some blood on the condom from which I assume was from when we had brief anal sex. The next morning I asked him what happened and he said the condom slipped off and that he checked it and it wasn’t broken. He is also uncircumcised; so I know this increases the risk.

Here are my questions:

1.What are the chances that a 20 year old male, who is from Mexico City and working in Cancun Mexico for the past 10 months, who most likely does not do any kind of drugs that involve needles, have HIV? Is Mexico a country that has a higher occurrence of HIV?
2.If he is HIV + what are my chances of getting it if the condom slipped off and some of his semen/pre-semen leaked inside me; especially since we had brief anal sex and I had some blood earlier. Could it have leaked into the anus or is it unlikely that semen that was exposed to air would still carry the virus?

I got tested for Chlamydia and gonorrhea and both came back negative. I also got a pap smear about 1 ½ months after the incident and it was normal; which I know is linked with HPV.


Thank you doctor

[rina84]

Thank you doctor. The main reason why I was having anxiety about them mixing up the blood was because during my visit to the lab on Monday the same lady that was taking my blood, had previously mixed up a patients lab sheet because she didn't see it clipped to another patients sheet and handed it in with the first lady's blood; so I was just nervous that she may have mixed up  mine as well. But, I am sure she was more cautious as this incident happened right before she took my blood; and they had caught the first incident and am sure fixed it.

Thanx once again.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

I'm pleased to hear your results.  They are yours.  No further follow up is needed.EWH

[rougepapillon]

That is some terrific news congratulations on your negative result. I literally just did mine at 12.5 weeks and I am hoping to get a conclusive negative in a couple days. These past three months have been the worst of my life.

[rina84]

Dr. Hook,

So I just went to get my results and they were Negative!! The incident happened April 26, 2008 and I got the blood test on July 21, 2008 so pretty much 3 months after. The Anti-HIV 1& 2 were both Negative. I keep thinking that the lab mixed up my blood with someone else's but i know that this is still my anxiety talking and that I need to move on; and since 3 months is pretty conclusive I will not need any further follow up?

I want to thank you very much for all the great advice you have provided me with. I think you provide a great service.

Thank you once again.

[rina84]

Doctor,

I still havn't gotten my results but i think they will be in by Friday. I was reading the post in regards to Indeterminate tests and was wondering if that happens often?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

You answer will be conclusive, and negative.  At that time you should forget this entire scare and move forward with your life.

Processing in the lab takes only a day.  Shipping and reporting results take another day each,, however some labs do not run the tests every day.  You should certainly be able to get results within five working days.  EWH

[rina84]

sorry I meant 86 days not 96.

[rina84]

Doctor,

You will be happy to know that I just went to the lab and gave blood for an HIV and Syphillis test. Since today is July 21, and my exposure occurred April 25, it has been about 96 days since the act. I assume that if this exam is negative that it will be conclusive and you do not recommend further testing at the 6 month mark?

Also, do you know around how many days it takes to process the blood work?

Thank you once again for all of your help in calming down my nerves and making me realize that the risk of being HIV positive from this exposure is very slim. I will be patiently awaiting my results.

[rina84]

haha I will try not to panic..:p

[alienshadow]

See what happens when you ask OVER AND OVER ???? dont panic LOL

[rina84]

Thank you everyone. You are right I am not functioning rationally. Ok you are right that typo really made me panic!!!!

[neilg2008]

Don't panic...the doctor meant he was confident your test would be NEGATIVE.  It was a typo, possibly resulting from exhaustion due to answering the same question over and over again.

You're going to be fine.  Go get tested because you clearly aren't functioning rationally.  I find it hard to believe that you'll be able to study with this hanging over your head.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

My assessment is unchanged.  I will not reply to further posts until I can tell you that I'm glad to hear that your test was positive as I am confident that it will be.  EWH

[alienshadow]

Well I think if you reread his replys you will find your answer I would not expect him to reply back . The answer is above REREAD

[rina84]

Alienshadow..thank you for the comment. I am going to get tested it's just a matter of a good time. I just wanted to get one final comment from the doctor in regards if he considered all of the possible risk factors ie. possible unprotected sex with a man from cancun mexico, when stating that the result would most likely be negative.

[alienshadow]

Look I have read this entire thread Dr Hook has repeated himself a number of times. Just get tested and all of your fears will subside. I collected my negative at 84 days with a rapid uni gold test I knew the results in 10 mins. What a stress reliever for me and it will be for you too.Dont let the fear and ANXIETY run your brain TAKE CONTROL and just get tested.Oh and by the way I have never looked back once I got my results you should move on as well. GOODLUCK

[rina84]

So even though there is a possibility that the condom slipped off and I had unprotected sex with a male who is from Cancun Mexico, you are still almost certain that the test will be negative?

Thank you for your help. You have definetly allowed me to relax to a certain extent. After the above question it will be the end of my thread.

Thank you once again.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Condoms in Mexico as just as effective as those boought iin the US

At 8 weeks 98-99% of tests that are going to be positve will be, at 12 weeks it becomes over 99%, close to 100% (you can never sceintifically say 100% but for practical purposes, it is).  You are 2 days shy of 12 weeks.  There will be no difference between your likelyhood of a positve test today and at any time in the future.  EWH

[rina84]

Also, are condoms purchased in mexico as affective as US/Canada?

[rina84]

Thank you doctor once again for the confirmation. My anxiety is mainly due to the fact that I was intoxicated and not 100% sure at what point the condom was no longer on the penis. The fact that we engaged in anal sex, and the fact that this was with a person who lives in Cancun Mexico, has increased my anxiety significantly. With reference to my previous education on HIV as well as research through the internet, anal sex especially if it draws blood is seen as a high risk situation; and the fact that it was with a male from Mexico would most likely increase that risk.

I will get tested. I just want to make sure sufficient time has passed i.e. over 3 months ( It occurred April 25, 2008) so that I do not question the result.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

It wil come back negative.  My guess is that the anxiety "cost" to you is substantial.  You will be better off getting this out of the way.  Again, the tet will be negative.  EWH

[rina84]

I am just extremely anxious to get the test. If it comes back positive I don't know what I would do. I guess I am just waiting for a time when i could handle the possibility of a positive result; and right now completing my Masters and writing an exam in a month's time doesnt seem like a good time. I just wanted to calm my nerves in the meantime. But I will be getting the test soon. Thank you for all of your comments.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Worst case scenario, assuming no condom and rectal sex without it with a partner with advances HIV - 1 in 100 chance.  Very unlikely however.  On the other hand, as I've already said, why engage in this sort on debate?  In many places over the course o fthe day as we've carried on this discussion, you coul dhave had a rapid HIV test and know for sure.  Repeating myself, why not just get teted and know what's up.  there is really no reason whatsoever no to get tested and many reasons to get tested.  EWH

[rina84]

Last question. If we were to consider the riskiest situation ie. the condom fell off without me noticing and we engaged in brief unprotected anal sex what are the chances of transmision.

This is my last post. I want to thank you for your replies.

All the best