Think about it?Are you that sure?

[Kowalski]

Hey everyone.

I know the queastion I will write my seem not needed, but what I ask for just think...I know that the possibilities are very slim, but can you always be so possitive?

To be brief.
I was with a prostitute 7 weeks ago. What happened is:

- I kissed her a bit on the lips. She had her lips closed i had my open.
- She gave me unprotected oral. That lasted a couple of minutes.
- I bit her lighty on the but.
- I kissed her breasts.
- No vissible blood at any point.

Durring the whole “give me pleasure” situation, my little (maybe not that little):) friend could not stand up. So what happened I just gave up and whent back home...it is actually quite sad... ( On the side I do have mouth problems because I had my wise tooths taken out 2 months ago. My teeth are getting misplaced now and I tend to bit my cheeks a lot and leave marks on them. Also have problems with lips because of the cold)

After that I had the following tests:

- chlamydia and gonoryha after 6 days.
- Hiv rapid test after 4 weeks. (HIV 1/2)
- Hiv rapid test after 6 weeks.  (HIV 1/2)

Besides that encounter my last encounter was in a steady relationship 4 months ago. Durring that time no sex (that is why the prostitute came up in my mind). So that rules everything out to the situation with the prostitute.

So.....being that I should be calm and sure that I did not get hiv from that encounter. I know the statistics and the possibilites. They are remote and neglible and at this point I would have a bigger chance of getting hit by a car when I walk out to a club tonight. I would let It go and I even did not think about it, till the moment I had the following symptoms after 6 weeks:

- sore throut
- stuffy nose
- small couth
- phlegm
- body aches
- a ulcer at the back of my mouth by the throut (It is a little raised and red)
- in all fatigue
- no fever

I know symtoms do not meen anything. Probably it is a sinus infection, especially when it is the season in Geneva where I am at. By the way they say in Switzerland recieving oral sex is no risk. The same was told to me by the nurses at the emergency and test center.

So...why do I still ask? Why am I still on this subject when I should have let it go. Whel it is those god damm symptoms and that god damm neglible risk mentioned on many pages. The “what if” I am that god damm “lucky one” that won the “lottery”. By the way I really am a stable peson, one that usually never worries.

So my question is: Do I still need testing after 3 months from the encounter? Maybe I should test for syphilis as well?

I know what you will answer....but are you 100 proc. sure I am safe from hiv from that encounter? Would you be confident if I would start sleeping with my former girlfriend again without protection? Are you sure that I will not put anyone at risk?

Please take a minute to think about it. For that I will be very grateful.

[Kowalski]

I hope it will also comfort you that when I was testing I heard from the nurse that at 6 weeks only about 1 in a 1000 will not produce antibodies. So taking into account that you did it after 10 weeks I would not worry...think about it:)...althou I would still get tested:)

All the doctors in Geneva that I talked to, including my GP, Hiv expert at the University Hospital, two emergancy doctors, and 2 councelers said that there is no risk. No need to test. What has to taken into acount is that Geneva does have the possibility to reach all the best Hiv experts in the world, becuase of WHO, UNAIDS and UNDP bases there are. I doctor would say there is a risk even if it would be veeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrryyyyyy low. What they also say is unless you dont have any STD symptom there is no need to test. I had to fight for the gonorea and chlamydia test:)Offcourse it was negative:)

[Kowalski]

What also has to be taken into account his the Politics. Such institutions as CDC, UNAIDS will have there political goals. But the same goes to such sites as aidsmeds, which will also have theire own politics. So it is hard to find a way to answer that question. In my opinion a doctors statement in a conservative country as Switzerland is very reassuring.

[Kowalski]

Also when thinking about giving wide advise to the general public, you have to take into account that engaging in any sexuelle activity can lead to risky activities because of "the moment". That is probably why many sites and institutions say very low risk about oral trasmistion...going through internet sites, that should be reliable you can read that when ussing a condom you should also get tested...

[Kowalski]

By the way that site is also in english.

[drn_73]

thanks for the reply. ever since i returned to the states i have been scouring the internet sites and forums for the last 3 months to assess my risk.  i admit that after reading countless times that my exposure should not warrant concern ,  my anxiety has been alleviated from the time i started my 'research'. however, your reply has been the most reassuring!  for me it carries more weight to learn the swiss assessmant, given their conservative stance. and for THEM to say NO risk makes me feel that much less anxious.
again, this is not to undermine the input from others on this forum (teak, lizzie, etc., as well as andy on aidsmeds).
but as you may have guessed, i will still do one final test because, well, i can't just drop years of bad habits (i.e. "what-if" thoughts).  you can't teach an old dog new tricks...

[diver58]

Who advised and ordered HIV tests for you, in a situation of exposure, you described ? Your risk is non existent, and you will continue to obtain a negative results no matter when and how frequent you do it.

Receiving oral sex is a no risk behavior, and even CDC (considered to be more conservative) placed it under the category of "extremely low risk" , which they mean, "only theoretical risk without a single case reported as of now".

It is your choice to stay tense, stressed and anxious for nothing or decide to move on.