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Should I test for HIV?
Hi Doc,
I have a question, 7.5 wks back I had sex with a sex worker using a condom. Her condom - didn't check if it was intact.- I don't believe it broke...
Time line of symptoms:
>day 4 I had a gastroenteritis, all my family had the same symptoms in the same time for 1.5 days(all specific symptoms to Gastroenteritis fever, vomiting, diarrhea for one day and fading down the last half day- maybe a norovirus) .
>Day 7 i had the blood tests done - elevated transaminase levels.
> week 3 conjunctivitis,
> week 5.5 headache and fever up to 102 for less than a day. Next day i had a cold sore that healed in 1 week.
> week 5.5 until week 6.5 I had a macular rash on my back diffuse. no other symptoms. The rash is fading down and now at week 7.5 is almost gone. Can rash be the only symptom for 2 weeks?
Should I test for HIV? What is your advise? I am stressed out.
Thank you<
I have a question, 7.5 wks back I had sex with a sex worker using a condom. Her condom - didn't check if it was intact.- I don't believe it broke...
Time line of symptoms:
>day 4 I had a gastroenteritis, all my family had the same symptoms in the same time for 1.5 days(all specific symptoms to Gastroenteritis fever, vomiting, diarrhea for one day and fading down the last half day- maybe a norovirus) .
>Day 7 i had the blood tests done - elevated transaminase levels.
> week 3 conjunctivitis,
> week 5.5 headache and fever up to 102 for less than a day. Next day i had a cold sore that healed in 1 week.
> week 5.5 until week 6.5 I had a macular rash on my back diffuse. no other symptoms. The rash is fading down and now at week 7.5 is almost gone. Can rash be the only symptom for 2 weeks?
Should I test for HIV? What is your advise? I am stressed out.
Thank you<
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome to our Forum. Your risk for HIV form condom protected sex is close to zero and not a reason for concern. Let me tell you why I say this.:
1. Most commercial sex workers do not have HIV.
2. Most commercial sex workers use condoms to protect themselves rom their clients, not to protect clients.
3. The risk for HIV from a single sexual exposure is less than 1 infection per 1000 acts of intercourse. In your case, with use of a condom, the risk is reduced to close to zero.
4. You do not need to worry that the condom may have broken, when condoms break, they break wide open, they do not just leak a little bit.
Putting all of this information there is really no meaningful reason to worry about HIV infection. But you say, what about the symptoms? you have a good alternate reason for your symptoms- a community acquired virus which caused your GI symptoms. On the other hand, as we have said repeatedly, to try to judge your risk of HIV from symptoms is really a waste of time, no matter what the symptoms.
My judgment- you really have nothing to worry about and I see no medical reason to seek testing. On the other hand, I understand that you may wish to do so for your own peace of mind. An HIV test at 8 weeks following exposure would provide conclusive evidence that you did not get HIV from the exposure you describe.
I hope these comments are helpful to you. EWH
1. Most commercial sex workers do not have HIV.
2. Most commercial sex workers use condoms to protect themselves rom their clients, not to protect clients.
3. The risk for HIV from a single sexual exposure is less than 1 infection per 1000 acts of intercourse. In your case, with use of a condom, the risk is reduced to close to zero.
4. You do not need to worry that the condom may have broken, when condoms break, they break wide open, they do not just leak a little bit.
Putting all of this information there is really no meaningful reason to worry about HIV infection. But you say, what about the symptoms? you have a good alternate reason for your symptoms- a community acquired virus which caused your GI symptoms. On the other hand, as we have said repeatedly, to try to judge your risk of HIV from symptoms is really a waste of time, no matter what the symptoms.
My judgment- you really have nothing to worry about and I see no medical reason to seek testing. On the other hand, I understand that you may wish to do so for your own peace of mind. An HIV test at 8 weeks following exposure would provide conclusive evidence that you did not get HIV from the exposure you describe.
I hope these comments are helpful to you. EWH
Sir, I forgot to describe the rash - As I said it was flat. red but not bright red more pinkish and covered most of my back and developed very light on my chest after 2 - 3 days
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