Scared

[sillywoe]

Dear Doctor,

On August 17th 2010 I had protected vaginal sex and unprotected oral sex with an escort. The condom seemed to stay in tact. I did not ejaculate inside her so it was hard to tell.  A few days later I got pain in my Urethra  and I went to my doctor on August 26 2010. He made me do a range of STD tests including HIV.  The urine test came with unknown bacterial cultures , but no std. The HIV test came back negative on August 30 of 2010. About two weeks ago I started to develop a sore throat and had trouble swallowing had flu like symptoms for a few days.  I still have the sore throat that will not seem to go away.   I am very worried I might have HIV. Should I be tested again.

Thanks,
worry pot

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Welcome to the Forum. Condom protected sex is safe sex and thus there is no risk for HIV form the exposure you describe.  Had you been potentially exposed to HIV, your test on the 26th, 10 days after testing was too soon to give accurate information about HIV. Testing at 8 weeks Testing at this time, 6 weeks after exposure would detect over 95% of infections acquired on August 26 and in two more weeks, a the 8 week period, the test will give definitive information.  As I said before however, at this time there is no medical reason for testing.  Any testing you do will be for your own peace of mind.  

Take care.EWH

[sillywoe]

Hi Doctor Hook,

I took a 3 month rapid test today and it came out negative. I want to thank you for your guidance  and advice over the last month.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Glad to help. Take care. EWH

[sillywoe]

Thank you Doctor Hook , I trust your assessment  and I will try get over this massive anxiety I created. Thanks again from Toronto Canada

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Elevated liver enzymes could have many, many possible causes. Most of those causes are not STDs.  As I said, I would not worry about HIV. Take care. EWH

[sillywoe]

Thank you doctor , maybe  this is all from stress of what I did. The dumbest thing I did was do a google search of condom effectiveness and I panicked.  I know what I did was stupid , but I had elevated liver enzymes and with all these symptoms I panicked big time.

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, really.  Your recent illnesses are are coincidental.  I hope you' ll be feeling better soon.  EWH

[sillywoe]

Thanks for the advice Doc. I dunno why I am so scared , I have been sick a lot lately , been having an upset stomach , feeling tired a lot. The sore throat has subsided but I have been feeling flue like symptoms quite a bit and have had problems swallowing. Is there a chance I could have contracted HIV from unprotected oral sex?

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Not a problem.  While you are correct that a sore throat can be a sign of HIV, remember that only the tinyiest fractions of sore throats are due to HIV and, given the nature of the exposure you describe, there is no reason for you to worry.  Take care.  EWH

[sillywoe]

I guess the only thing I am worried about is having a sore throat for three weeks. As I said the condom looked in tact , they are look like hell after intercourse anyway. I also had a bit of fatty liver should this be a concern at all in terms of HIV.  I just saw that a chronic sore throat is one indicator to watch out for.  Thanks a lot