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Worried!Need help!
Hello Doctor,
Sorry for my poor English. On Jan 7th 2009, during my business trip, I had sex with a prostitute in China. She gave me oral sex with condom at first; then I changed another condom for vaginal sex. The condoms are produced locally and made of latex or rubber; I don’t know how the quality is. But they did not break nor slip off during or after the intercourse. After ejaculation I have found the sperms were not only at the top of the condom, but some were at the middle position of the condom (of course inside), I am not sure, whether there was traces of sperms overflew out to the base of my penis (at the base there were also some vaginal fluid, but not much). Then I took the condom away with my hand. But then I noticed that I had a small cut (max 5mm length and 1mm depth) under my fingernail 2 days before. It was not bleeding when I touched the condom. I was also not sure, whether the secretion on the condom contacted the cut position, because it was under fingernail.
I am freaking out theses days. Now I have some questions, I would very appreciate, if you could give me some suggestions.
1. Is there any possible HIV exposure if sperms overflow from condom and exposure vaginal fluid and virus can travel in to the condom, then causes infection?
2. Can I get infected because of the cut mentioned above?
3. Does the quality of condoms matter, if it did not break nor slip.
4. Am I at risk, should I get tested in next weeks? (for HIV and STDs)
Thank you very much!
Sorry for my poor English. On Jan 7th 2009, during my business trip, I had sex with a prostitute in China. She gave me oral sex with condom at first; then I changed another condom for vaginal sex. The condoms are produced locally and made of latex or rubber; I don’t know how the quality is. But they did not break nor slip off during or after the intercourse. After ejaculation I have found the sperms were not only at the top of the condom, but some were at the middle position of the condom (of course inside), I am not sure, whether there was traces of sperms overflew out to the base of my penis (at the base there were also some vaginal fluid, but not much). Then I took the condom away with my hand. But then I noticed that I had a small cut (max 5mm length and 1mm depth) under my fingernail 2 days before. It was not bleeding when I touched the condom. I was also not sure, whether the secretion on the condom contacted the cut position, because it was under fingernail.
I am freaking out theses days. Now I have some questions, I would very appreciate, if you could give me some suggestions.
1. Is there any possible HIV exposure if sperms overflow from condom and exposure vaginal fluid and virus can travel in to the condom, then causes infection?
2. Can I get infected because of the cut mentioned above?
3. Does the quality of condoms matter, if it did not break nor slip.
4. Am I at risk, should I get tested in next weeks? (for HIV and STDs)
Thank you very much!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
See answer no. 4 above. I haven't changed my mind. But if you insist on testing for peace of mind, tests for gonorrhea and chlamydia can be done now; blood tests for HIV and syphilis can be done after 6 weeks, i.e. toward the end of next week.
I never guarantee someone isn't infected. But if I were in your situation, I would not get tested and I would continue unprotected sex with my wife.
No more questions.
I never guarantee someone isn't infected. But if I were in your situation, I would not get tested and I would continue unprotected sex with my wife.
No more questions.
Dr. HHH, Just one more question. Please help me. Is it possible that I get the other STDs (ie HPV, syphilis, Herpes......) from the exposure above ( Today is already 5 weeks). How long should i wait to test them? During this time, is it easy to transmit them to my family (my wife and my 4 month daughter)? I am so scared of going home. I am so worried. Please help!
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
It sounds to me like sexual guilt is the main problem here. It is unlikely your partner had HIV, and if she did, you were 100% protected by the condoms.
1) There is theoretical risk by the mechanism you describe, but it doesn't occur in real life. Intact condoms are nearly 100% protective.
2) Healing small cuts don't risk HIV. Nobody in the world ever caught HIV by hand-genital contact, regardless of cuts on the fingers.
3) If a condom remains intact, it worked; leakage through an intact condom is an urban myth -- it doesn't happen.
4) From the standpoint of risk assessment, you don't need testing for HIV or other STDs. But you probably should do it for psychological support. My reassurance probably won't be enough, and you will be more likely to stop worrying when you get the negative test results.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
1) There is theoretical risk by the mechanism you describe, but it doesn't occur in real life. Intact condoms are nearly 100% protective.
2) Healing small cuts don't risk HIV. Nobody in the world ever caught HIV by hand-genital contact, regardless of cuts on the fingers.
3) If a condom remains intact, it worked; leakage through an intact condom is an urban myth -- it doesn't happen.
4) From the standpoint of risk assessment, you don't need testing for HIV or other STDs. But you probably should do it for psychological support. My reassurance probably won't be enough, and you will be more likely to stop worrying when you get the negative test results.
Best wishes-- HHH, MD
For additional information: That was the first time I have such incident (I am so regretful) i do not think I have any STDs before.
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