Increased HIV Risk?

[chcfan]

Two weeks ago after drinking way too much, I had unprotected sex with a girl and I don't know her HIV status, though I know she is not a sex worker or anything.  I have read that the chances from single encounters are low, but not sure how low.  I'm pretty sure that I ejaculated outside of her and continued we soon after for a little while, but I did not ejaculate again.  Does this put me at a higher risk?  She also stopped a few times during the course of vaginal sex to give me oral, but I don't see how that could have had a bearing on anything.

I lost five pounds pretty quickly, but I think that was from depression: I knew that I had to tell my girlfriend, so that we could use a condom until I get a clean bill of health, and I was sure that she would leave me because of it, but she decided to give me a second chance.  Other than that, I am completely asymptomatic.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

The average risk of infection for men having vaginal sex with infected women is around 1 chance per 2,000 episodes of unprotected intercourse--and that assumes typical duration of sex of several minutes.  However, ejaculation or not probably makes no difference one way or the other.  HIV transmission by oral sex is too rare to worry about at all.  Add those odds to the low risk your partner had HIV, and realistically you have nothing to worry about.  Most people in your situation need to be tested to resolve their anxieties, regardless of my reassurance.  If that applies to you, get tested 6-12 weeks after the event.  You can be sure of a negative result.

Good luck--  HHH, MD

[chcfan]

I can't believe that I didn't mention this part.  A few days later, while examining myself in fear, I noticed what appears to be a wart on the shaft of my penis.  I know that I could not have contracted it from her that fast, but if it was there during the act, would that increase my risk?

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Many STDs increase the risk of HIV infection if exposed, but genital warts and other HPV infections do not.

See a health care provider for definite diagnosis and treatment of the wart.

[shaun 267]

lately ive been EXTREMLY DEPRESSED. thinking i might of caught hiv from one of my earlier encounters. just the fact of not knowing is driving me nutz.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Please take any more of this off-topic discussion about PEP over to the HIV support forum.

[SoStumped]

Thanks, I thought it was a series of shots nor meds.  

So they would do a blood test for HIV in the first 72hrs of exposure---and it would be accurate???

So ONLY the first 72hrs would an HIV test be just as accurate as waiting 8wks-3months (etc) since exposure -ONLY because the first few days is when the viral load is highest so it would show up in 72hrs? But AFTER 72 hrs the HIV test would not be accurate until 6-8wks (3 months etc given the circumstances)...and so you can not take meds for PEP?  

Or is that wrong?



I keep trying to get in touch with Dr. H to ask this question but the forum is always FULL and it wont let me post him a question.

Thanks for the info-  I was just curious and hopefully this helped others!

[Jaguar83]

well, possible?? may have gotten it from taking a drink out of another person's mouth...even his doctor said the symptoms were probably caused by it...

[Jaguar83]

Post Exposure Prophylaxis (or Prevention)...basically regular HIV meds (from what I gather) that help limit the potential HIV infection. It can prevent, it can not...earlier the better...after 72 hours it won't help. Docs are hesitant to prescribe because of side effects (ie you need a REAL risk....like unprotected vag or anal with a known HIV+....they won't usually do it if oral and known +).

[jeffhaley]

1 in 33? Who was the nutjob that told you that?

[SoStumped]

Just out of curosity....does anyone know What PEP is? Is it a series of vaccines that can cure HIV? I searched it on the web but would rather hear reliable information. Did Dr. H mention what it was?  I "think" its a series of shots (based on the crazy stuff i read online) ...but wouldnt that mean if someone needed PEP they could still infect others with HIV?

Confused?!?