Aa
peace of mind
Hi Dr, 9 1/2 weeks ago I had sexual intercourse with an sex worker and I wore a condom during the sex and the oral sex, so I am not overly concerned about that. But I have four concerns if you would be so kind to address:
1) This is going to be an outrageous question, but I noticed she took the condom out of what looked like to be a piece of aluminum foil, but not the actual condom wrapper itself, and I was stupid not to call it out. My concern is that this may have been a already used condom from someone else (who knows maybe they were re-using them to save money). You can say I would have noticed that it was a used condom, but I think I may have been so focused on what I was about to do that I didn't realize it. My question is, if someone before myself used that condom, and they came inside of it, and maybe they didn't thoroughly clean it out after or whatever, if there is some bodily fluid residue in there, is it possible the virus could make its way into my penis? Isn't the virus so weak that is dies after it is airborne? I know you are thinking, how could I have not noticed a used condom, but the truth is she definitely did not take it out of a condom wrapper. Again complete stupidity on my part for not calling it out.
2) I am going for the oraquick test tomorrow, how accurate is it after 9 1/2 weeks? Ill probably test again at 12 weeks just to make it conclusive. Also why do some people on medhelp (not doctors, but so called experts who answer questions) refuse to admit that your odds are way lower (but not 100% which I do understand) after 6-8 weeks?
3) I read a recent article from this past Sept, that oraquick isn't as accurate as thought and it creates a lot of false positives/negatives. What are your thoughts on this?
4) That article says 1 in 4 americans has HIV. I can't imagine this being accurate because then that means out of all the family and friends I know and see all the time, 20% of them have HIV. What are your thoughts on that?
1) This is going to be an outrageous question, but I noticed she took the condom out of what looked like to be a piece of aluminum foil, but not the actual condom wrapper itself, and I was stupid not to call it out. My concern is that this may have been a already used condom from someone else (who knows maybe they were re-using them to save money). You can say I would have noticed that it was a used condom, but I think I may have been so focused on what I was about to do that I didn't realize it. My question is, if someone before myself used that condom, and they came inside of it, and maybe they didn't thoroughly clean it out after or whatever, if there is some bodily fluid residue in there, is it possible the virus could make its way into my penis? Isn't the virus so weak that is dies after it is airborne? I know you are thinking, how could I have not noticed a used condom, but the truth is she definitely did not take it out of a condom wrapper. Again complete stupidity on my part for not calling it out.
2) I am going for the oraquick test tomorrow, how accurate is it after 9 1/2 weeks? Ill probably test again at 12 weeks just to make it conclusive. Also why do some people on medhelp (not doctors, but so called experts who answer questions) refuse to admit that your odds are way lower (but not 100% which I do understand) after 6-8 weeks?
3) I read a recent article from this past Sept, that oraquick isn't as accurate as thought and it creates a lot of false positives/negatives. What are your thoughts on this?
4) That article says 1 in 4 americans has HIV. I can't imagine this being accurate because then that means out of all the family and friends I know and see all the time, 20% of them have HIV. What are your thoughts on that?
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Welcome back to the Forum. I'll be happy to address the questions you ask. Here goes:
1. You are correct, I do find this question outrageous. Condoms can be obtained for free and some do come in foil wrappers. Just stop for a moment and think about what it would take to re-roll, or clean a condom,. I suspect your concern is a figment of your imagination.
2. At 9.5 weeks an Oraquick will give reliable results. Like other antibody tests results are reliable at any time more than 8 weeks after exposure.
3. There are concerns raised about this from time to time however they are not based in fact. When the studies of the OraQucik are compared to other tests for HIV antibodies using sophisticated statistical methods, the OraQuick has been found to give results comparable to results obtained with other antibody tests. This makes sense since the FDA holds rapid tests of this sort to the same standards as for other antibody tests which are performed in the lab.
4. This is incorrect. Some estimate that 1 in 100 Americans have HIV but even those figures fail to consider that rates are far higher in some subgroups (like men who have sex with other men). The sorts of rates you mention are seen only in a few countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Hope these comments help. EWH
1. You are correct, I do find this question outrageous. Condoms can be obtained for free and some do come in foil wrappers. Just stop for a moment and think about what it would take to re-roll, or clean a condom,. I suspect your concern is a figment of your imagination.
2. At 9.5 weeks an Oraquick will give reliable results. Like other antibody tests results are reliable at any time more than 8 weeks after exposure.
3. There are concerns raised about this from time to time however they are not based in fact. When the studies of the OraQucik are compared to other tests for HIV antibodies using sophisticated statistical methods, the OraQuick has been found to give results comparable to results obtained with other antibody tests. This makes sense since the FDA holds rapid tests of this sort to the same standards as for other antibody tests which are performed in the lab.
4. This is incorrect. Some estimate that 1 in 100 Americans have HIV but even those figures fail to consider that rates are far higher in some subgroups (like men who have sex with other men). The sorts of rates you mention are seen only in a few countries in sub-Saharan Africa.
Hope these comments help. EWH
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Still OK.
and, in reference to your earlier question, HIV does continue to spread. The disease however is not nearly so common as one might think from some of the things you see on the interent and it is not as easily transmitted as some suggest either. It is a serious disease however. Condoms remain our best and most practical means of protection. EWH
and, in reference to your earlier question, HIV does continue to spread. The disease however is not nearly so common as one might think from some of the things you see on the interent and it is not as easily transmitted as some suggest either. It is a serious disease however. Condoms remain our best and most practical means of protection. EWH
Just to clarify Dr., it came out of a piece of aliminum foil like Reynolds wrap at home, not a sealed wrapper. Is that still ok?
Thank you, that helps a lot! I've read many many posts here and it seems that HIV (although a serious illness) is not as prevalent as the media makes it out to be. I've read recent news articles about how everyone needs to get tested since many people don't know they have HIV/AIDs. Is the disease seriously spreading as they are making it out to be? Or is $$ a factor behind all the hoopla. I know many people who have had cancer and heart attacks. But I cant really think of anyone personally who I know to have HIV. Just curious, do you agree?
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.
