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Hiv risk???
Hi doc, I had a couple of protected oral and virginal intercourse with diff CSW over a couple of months. Condoms seem intact after all exposures. But on 5 days after my last exposure on 30/12/13, I am down with what seems like stomach flu with no fever or rash tho, and it never got better even until now. I still don't have any appetite and stomach pain and bloatness. I am worried as I read that hiv cause stomach probs.
Will need your advise on a couple of issues:
1. For the last exposure, I am not sure if lambskin or latex condom was used. Any way to noe the diff between the 2 types?
2. Is it possible that my case of stomach prob is caused by hiv? Does hiv cause stomach prob without ARS symptoms and when will it infect the stomach? During early or advanced stage of hiv?
3. What is my risk and do I need a hiv test?
I am very worried and hope to get your advise soon. Thank you!
Will need your advise on a couple of issues:
1. For the last exposure, I am not sure if lambskin or latex condom was used. Any way to noe the diff between the 2 types?
2. Is it possible that my case of stomach prob is caused by hiv? Does hiv cause stomach prob without ARS symptoms and when will it infect the stomach? During early or advanced stage of hiv?
3. What is my risk and do I need a hiv test?
I am very worried and hope to get your advise soon. Thank you!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
HIV may sometimes cause abdominal or intestinal symptoms, but not as the only symptom. Your symptoms do not suggest you have HIV.
Get tested to prove it to yourself. I'll be happy to comment if you would like to return to report your HIV test result -- but not until then.
Get tested to prove it to yourself. I'll be happy to comment if you would like to return to report your HIV test result -- but not until then.
Thanks doctor for your response.
I would like to ask also can it be that I had HIV infection from previous exposure with no ARS symptom, n now it's causing my stomach disorder??
I read that hiv infection can cause stomach disorder and based on yr experience how soon will it start affecting the stomach?
I would like to ask also can it be that I had HIV infection from previous exposure with no ARS symptom, n now it's causing my stomach disorder??
I read that hiv infection can cause stomach disorder and based on yr experience how soon will it start affecting the stomach?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to the forum.
I'm happy to confirm the reassuring advice you received on the community forum. Condoms work, so there was no significant risk from the vaginal sex; and oral sex carries no significant risk even without a condom. On top of that, you probably weren't exposed at all, since the large majority of female sex workers don't have HIV.
Symptoms are meaningless in judging possible HIV infection. Anyway, your symptoms aren't typical anyway: ARS doesn't cause "stomach flu" symptoms. Every symptom that occurs with new HIV infections also occurs, much more commonly, due to everyday minor viral infections. Also, 5 days is too soon for onset of ARS; 8-10 days is the minimum.
1) The type of condom doesn't matter. It is an urban myth that lambskin condoms don't work to prevent HIV. Any barrier is better than none; in theory, natural skin concoms might allow small amounts of virus to leak through. However, in the entire 30 year history of the known worldwide HIV/AIDS epidemic, there have been no reported cases of HIV that occurred through an intact natural skin condom.
2) No, HIV doesn't cause such symptoms. There might be nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea in ARS, but never as the only symptoms. And as noted above, the symptoms started too soon.
3) Your risk is zero or close to it. As you were told on the community forum, from a medical or risk stadnpoint, you don't need HIV testing. But I think you should do it anyway. You're obviously anxious about it, and a negative test will probably be more reassuring than anything I can say. If you decide to be tested, you can count on a negative result.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
I'm happy to confirm the reassuring advice you received on the community forum. Condoms work, so there was no significant risk from the vaginal sex; and oral sex carries no significant risk even without a condom. On top of that, you probably weren't exposed at all, since the large majority of female sex workers don't have HIV.
Symptoms are meaningless in judging possible HIV infection. Anyway, your symptoms aren't typical anyway: ARS doesn't cause "stomach flu" symptoms. Every symptom that occurs with new HIV infections also occurs, much more commonly, due to everyday minor viral infections. Also, 5 days is too soon for onset of ARS; 8-10 days is the minimum.
1) The type of condom doesn't matter. It is an urban myth that lambskin condoms don't work to prevent HIV. Any barrier is better than none; in theory, natural skin concoms might allow small amounts of virus to leak through. However, in the entire 30 year history of the known worldwide HIV/AIDS epidemic, there have been no reported cases of HIV that occurred through an intact natural skin condom.
2) No, HIV doesn't cause such symptoms. There might be nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea in ARS, but never as the only symptoms. And as noted above, the symptoms started too soon.
3) Your risk is zero or close to it. As you were told on the community forum, from a medical or risk stadnpoint, you don't need HIV testing. But I think you should do it anyway. You're obviously anxious about it, and a negative test will probably be more reassuring than anything I can say. If you decide to be tested, you can count on a negative result.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
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