Aa
Testing Opinion
Here is my episode. Have been with several CSW. But had sex with 4 CSW. Protected. No condom failure. With other CSW no sex, but lot of fore play with receiving and performing oral sex. With last CSW no sex or oral sex, but only fingering into her anal and kissing. Two weeks later got pink eye and strong burning during urination. All gone within week without any mediacation. 3 weeks later went for complete STD panel. All negative. 8 weeks later went for HIV test by PCR DNA. Negative thank God. In your opinion do I need to test for Hiv at 12 weeks by elisa or can I let it go.
Thank you
Thank you
Thank you for your response. It really helped to calm my fears.
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
From a risk assessment perspective, you didn't really need HIV testing at all; your risk was too low, given the consistent condom use for vaginal sex. Fingering is not risky at all. However, I understand why you were nervous, especially with respect to your urethral and eye symptoms (more about that below).
But since you were tested: With HIV tests currently in use, it is rare that testing is required more than 6-8 weeks after a potential exposure. However, from your description you had only a PCR test for HIV; you don't mention ELISA or other antibody test. The PCR test has not been studied for use in situations like yours, and although it should pick up all infections by 8 weeks, it might miss a few. In addition to being less reliable, it's a LOT more expensive! Have an antibody test if not yet done, or if done at 3 weeks, which was too early. (This does not mean I think there actually was significant HIV risk here. There was not.)
You probably had an adenovirus infection. Most adenoviruses cause garden variety colds, but a few strains -- notably adenovirus type 19 -- can cause urethritis and conjunctivitis (pink-eye). As you found, it clears up on its own. Urethral ADV-19 can be acauired by oral sex, or you could have caught it just by kissing or other semi-sexual contact. It isn't possible to know whether you caught it from a sex worker or elsewhere, but it doesn't matter.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
But since you were tested: With HIV tests currently in use, it is rare that testing is required more than 6-8 weeks after a potential exposure. However, from your description you had only a PCR test for HIV; you don't mention ELISA or other antibody test. The PCR test has not been studied for use in situations like yours, and although it should pick up all infections by 8 weeks, it might miss a few. In addition to being less reliable, it's a LOT more expensive! Have an antibody test if not yet done, or if done at 3 weeks, which was too early. (This does not mean I think there actually was significant HIV risk here. There was not.)
You probably had an adenovirus infection. Most adenoviruses cause garden variety colds, but a few strains -- notably adenovirus type 19 -- can cause urethritis and conjunctivitis (pink-eye). As you found, it clears up on its own. Urethral ADV-19 can be acauired by oral sex, or you could have caught it just by kissing or other semi-sexual contact. It isn't possible to know whether you caught it from a sex worker or elsewhere, but it doesn't matter.
I hope this helps. Best wishes-- HHH, MD
You are reading content posted in the HIV - Prevention Forum
Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV and STDs.
PrEP is used by people with high risk to prevent HIV infection.
Can I get HIV from surfaces, like toilet seats?
Can you get HIV from casual contact, like hugging?
Frequency of HIV testing depends on your risk.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may help prevent HIV infection.
