Aa
help me calm my fears
I have read many of the posts, and apologize for an obvious repeat, but need to hear for my own sake.
Made a mistake while in Canada last week, and had protected sex with a CSW (HIV status unknown) in a strip club/bar/brothel? First and only time in 20 years of marriage. Alcohol can be a dangerous substance.
She offered the condom (not sure of the brand) for oral sex for a couple minutes, and then vaginal sex for about 10 minutes with same condom - so all protected. Once done, she offered a bacterial wipe for me to remove condom (not broken or damaged as I remember but I did not really check, it just looked to be ok). I also thoroughly wiped my genitals with another wipe she provided, and then about 5 minutes later I washed with soap and water vigorously.
Am now freaked about STDs and HIV exposure.
My assumption is that since she was adamant about a condom (as I would have been), and she made sure it was put on correctly, that she was being protective of her negative status??
Have read that chance of transmission is close to zero for protected sex even with a HIV positive female. My fears and guilt are playing tricks on my mind with "what if the condom slipped, or I did not notice if it broke when I removed it (I am fairly sure it was intact), and what if she was infected with HIV. What are my risks?
The docs on the posts have repeatedly used stats to assuage fears (1 in 1000 or 1 in 2000), but if her status is unknown and I assume she was HIV+ (rare I know in CSW), what are my chances of infection, and can I get some sleep for a few weeks until I test for surety. Would Canada (outside Montreal in a smaller town) be considered any higher risk.
When should I test (6 weeks, 3 months)?
Thanks in advance for advice and calming my fears.
Made a mistake while in Canada last week, and had protected sex with a CSW (HIV status unknown) in a strip club/bar/brothel? First and only time in 20 years of marriage. Alcohol can be a dangerous substance.
She offered the condom (not sure of the brand) for oral sex for a couple minutes, and then vaginal sex for about 10 minutes with same condom - so all protected. Once done, she offered a bacterial wipe for me to remove condom (not broken or damaged as I remember but I did not really check, it just looked to be ok). I also thoroughly wiped my genitals with another wipe she provided, and then about 5 minutes later I washed with soap and water vigorously.
Am now freaked about STDs and HIV exposure.
My assumption is that since she was adamant about a condom (as I would have been), and she made sure it was put on correctly, that she was being protective of her negative status??
Have read that chance of transmission is close to zero for protected sex even with a HIV positive female. My fears and guilt are playing tricks on my mind with "what if the condom slipped, or I did not notice if it broke when I removed it (I am fairly sure it was intact), and what if she was infected with HIV. What are my risks?
The docs on the posts have repeatedly used stats to assuage fears (1 in 1000 or 1 in 2000), but if her status is unknown and I assume she was HIV+ (rare I know in CSW), what are my chances of infection, and can I get some sleep for a few weeks until I test for surety. Would Canada (outside Montreal in a smaller town) be considered any higher risk.
When should I test (6 weeks, 3 months)?
Thanks in advance for advice and calming my fears.
Thank you for your quick response.
It helps to calm my fearful thinking of "what ifs".
If I do decide to test for peace of mind, even if it is not necessary, when would you suggest?
Just a comment, but if HIV is harder to contract than what most people imagine (based on many of the posts similar to mine), why is there not more concrete information passed on through governmental "authorities" like CDC, etc. on the effectiveness of condoms and protected sex?
It helps to calm my fearful thinking of "what ifs".
If I do decide to test for peace of mind, even if it is not necessary, when would you suggest?
Just a comment, but if HIV is harder to contract than what most people imagine (based on many of the posts similar to mine), why is there not more concrete information passed on through governmental "authorities" like CDC, etc. on the effectiveness of condoms and protected sex?
Have an Answer?
You are reading content posted in the HIV Prevention Community
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
