PEP?

[Anxious01]

I just had an encounter with another male who claimed to be HIV negative. We were makign out and performed oral, however, he tried to put my penis in him unprotected, I caught it before it went in completely...

Is this a high risk exposure that I would need PEP?? I tested negative last week during my physical exam.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

This is not an anxiety-ventilation service for people who will not or cannot accept our reassurance.  I have had to delete 2 anxiety-driven follow-up questions/comments whose answers are obvious.  One more and the entire thread will be deleted without comment. And see the comment in my original reply about when you can post a new question.  

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Yes, thrush can result from HIV, but generally only in advanced AIDS, not early HIV infection.  And like every other HIV/AIDS symptom, it occurs much more commonly in people WITHOUT HIV.  Presumably your thrush was professionally diagnosed.  If so, your doctor probably told you that it's a common side effect of Advair.

That's definitely the end of this thread.  Try to accept the reassurance you have had and move on with your life.  You don't need to confirm everything your own doc tells you on this or any other forum.

[Anxious01]

Doctor,

Is thrush a symptom of acute HIV? I had thrush on my tongue and back of mouth, now on nystatin for it. I also use advair.

Thanks

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

This is a low risk event that does not warrant HIV testing, let alone PEP.  People at high risk for HIV (which to a greater or lesser extent includes most gay men) should not get tested after any individual exposures, unless particularly high risk.  Uprotected anal sex with a known positive partner would be an example.  Without that sort of exposure, the best approach is to just have a routine HIV test from time to time -- every 2-3 months if very high risk (e.g. barebackers in bath houses) and every 6-12 months if more average risk.  Of course you are free to be tested at any time for anxiety relief, if reassurance of this sort doesn't quite do it for you.

That will be all for this thread. There's not much more I can say about it.

[Anxious01]

Doctor,

Is this something I should worry about? Should I get tested because of this? He never ejaculated the entire time.

[H. Hunter Handsfield, M.D.]

Welcome back to the HIV forum. But I have to observe this is your second question in several weeks about an obviously low risk event.  Please educate yourself about real HIV transmission risks.

Presumably "tried to put my penis in him" means his rectum, yes?  If there was no penetration, there was no measurable risk -- and even brief penetration probably also is risk free.  Further, most people don't lie about HIV status when asked directly, so most likely your partner doesn't have it.

However, we do not make specific recommendations for or against PEP on this forum.  Giving specific medical advice gets too close to practicing medicine from a distance, which is not the purpose of this or any other online forum.  Further, there are no formal guidelines about when PEP should be used after a sexual exposure.  Most experts probably would not recommend PEP in this situation, but that varies from one place to another.  If I were in your situation, I would see no need -- but for definitive advice you'll need to see a health care provider in person.

Please note that MedHelp permits a maximum of 2 quesitons every 6 months in the professionally moderated forums.  This will have to be your last on this forum for at least 6 months.

Regards--  HHH, MD