need opinion

[pleasehelp39]

Doctor,

9 weeks ago i had sex with a african american prostitute. 8 days after that night i went to the local health department for a rapid hiv test. the results came back negative(hiv) along with negative on syphillis and gonnorea. The only thing that happened was for a 1 minute to 2 minute period we engaged in unprotected sex due to my penis being limp. I came to my senses and realized what i was doing and ended the night with her at that point. I have trouble sleeping at night, and today my throat is swollen and i have a stiff neck. I have a few questions:

1) Am i safe to have sex with my wife
2) what are my chances of being infected
3) should i be worried

Thanks for everything,

St petersburg florida

[Edward W Hook, MD]

Your 1 week tests show that you do not have gonorrhea (you were probably also tested for chlamydia, both tests are usually done at the same time) but a 1 week result is too soon for the HIV test to mean anything at all.  Now, at 9 weeks, a repeat HIV test would be very meaningful however since by now close to 99% of tests that are going to be positive will be.  

Overall, your risk of infection from a single exposure, if your partner was infected (and she probably was not) is low (with unprotected vaginal sex, HIV is transmitted only once in 1000 exposures) but if you want to have a test to really be sure, you need another test.

So to answer your questions:

1.  See above.  Probably although your HIV test does not mean much.  You have to decide how much assurance you need.
2.  See above - very low.  Your partner was probably not infected.
3.  I wouldn't be

EWH

[Edward W Hook, MD]

No, I have not.  Time for you to move on.  EWH

[pleasehelp39]

I just wanted to ask you one more question so i an put this whole thing behind me and move forward. As i mentioned i took the Rapid HIV at 77 days and it came back negative. And you stated..by now close to 99% of tests that are going to be positive will be. I know there is no such thing as an 100% answer. have you come across anyone who tested negative with the rapid hiv test at around 75-80 days come back positive after 90 days?  

thanks again

[Edward W Hook, MD]

They are being overly conservative and giveng you the stock, "safe" answer  EWH

[pleasehelp39]

Why would the clinic tell me that i need to be re tested at 90 days to make sure? I cannot get that out of my mind. I want to put all of this behind me but when the counselor at the clinic said that after my test it has been in my mind ever since.

thanks again

[Edward W Hook, MD]

It is time for you to put your concerns behind you.  Your test shows that you did not get HIV from the exposure you mentioned.  EWH

[pleasehelp39]

First of all thank you for your timely response. It helped and I decided i needed a little more assurance so i went today to get another Rapid HIV test.The results came back negative. It has now been about 77 days since my incident(possible exposure). In your professional opinion....am i good? Can I now put this behind me?

Thanks Again